Surrey Sound Studios, based in a converted Victorian toll house in Leatherhead, Surrey, was established in 1976 by Nigel Gray, a doctor whose passion for music drove him to create a recording space using mostly secondhand equipment. The original setup featured a 16-track Alice mixing desk and an Ampex MM1000 16-track tape machine. Despite its modest beginnings, the studio would become the birthplace of some of the most iconic music of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1977, an unknown band with no budget began recording tracks over a six-month period at Surrey Sound Studios. That band was The Police, and the result of those sessions was their debut album, Outlandos d’Amour, featuring the hit single Roxanne. All of this was recorded in what was essentially a converted village hall. The success of Outlandos d’Amour was a major turning point for the studio, although Nigel Gray only ever received £2,000 for his work on the album. Nevertheless, he invested in upgrading the studio, replacing the original setup with an MCI JH-400B console and a 24-track MCI recorder.
The Police returned to Surrey Sound Studios for their next two albums, Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta, further cementing the studio’s reputation for its distinctive, punchy sound. Gray’s technical skill and keen ear played a significant role in shaping the band’s early sound, and his production work even earned him a Grammy Award.
While Surrey Sound Studios is most famous for its association with The Police, other notable artists also recorded there. Siouxsie and the Banshees tracked parts of their early recordings at the studio, and The Stranglers recorded demos and sessions. The experimental duo Godley & Creme also utilised the space, as did Rick Astley during his formative recording years before his mainstream success.
Despite its limitations, the studio had some key pieces of equipment, including an EMT 140 plate reverb, a DBX 162 compressor, and an AMS delay. The minimal effects rack highlighted the importance of Gray’s resourcefulness and production skill rather than relying on an abundance of outboard gear. Although music production was not Nigel Gray’s primary profession – he was a doctor by trade – his contributions to the recording process were significant. His ability to craft exceptional recordings in a relatively simple studio resulted in three of the most celebrated albums of the era.
Surrey Sound Studios closed in the late 1980s as larger studios and changing recording practices became dominant. However, its legacy remains intact, thanks to its role in launching The Police to global stardom and hosting a range of talented artists. The studio stands as a testament to what can be achieved with passion, skill, and a bit of ingenuity, even in the humblest of settings.
