The Bop Recording Studio (BRS) is ranked among the top five studios in the world but is acoustically the best studio.BRS still has and deserves a future, Executive Chairman/Owner and founder of United Kingdom (UK) based Focusrite, Phillip Dudderidge said in Mahikeng recently.

Duddredige and his crew of five from the world renown company manufacturing audio interface equipment were in Mahikeng to record a documentary for Focusrite heritage project that followed the console that they had designed for BRS in 1991.

“We had to travel across the globe following what is arguably the finest console in the world by none. Though it’s unfortunate that the studio’s full potential was not realised, there is still a huge potential for it to attract and cater for international artists in the music and growing film industry,” highlighted Duddredige. 

  Member of the crew and musician David Stride remarked that he experienced a flood of inspiration playing in the BRS studio than in his home studio.

The three BRS studios wired with diamond tipped silver cabling and are digital and analogue compatible for quality recording and production were built at a cost of $91 million in 1991.

The provincial government had committed to collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture and a partnership with the sole owner of the facility, Saj Chaudry in the recapitalisation process to ensure that maximum value is extracted.

“The studios have to be positioned as a global asset for recording and production while being used for training and development of sound technicians and engineers and distribution platform to ensure financial sustainability of artists,” emphasised North West Premier Thandi Modise emphasised.

Artists who had recorded in the studio which has reopened for business include among others

  top names like Laura Brandigan, Simple Minds, Rod Rodrigues, Bon Jovi, Lebo M, Hugh Masekela, the legendary Mirriam Makeba, Lira, Stimela, Brenda Fassie and Soweto String Quartet.