Audio postproduction facility Pip Studios has opened its doors, offering Dolby Atmos capability from its six purpose-built Atmos stages on its site in Winnersh, Berkshire. Co-founded by leading industry figures Ally Curran, Mark Sheffield and Nigel Bennett, Pip aims to bring its expertise to bear on offering state of the art audio localisation services for feature films, television, gaming, and streaming industries.
The six Atmos stages are world class facilities for the UK industry. All are Dolby certified, equipped with 24-Fader Avid S6 mixing consoles, and aligned for Theatrical and Home Entertainment Mixing. The stages have been built and equipped by an impressive range of well-respected industry suppliers, including Level Acoustic Design, Westwood Joinery, HHB Scrub, Bell Theatre Services, AKA, Wire Broadcast, Jigsaw 24, and Dolby.
“The COVID-19 pandemic delayed our official opening by a month, so we used that time to further refine the facility,” commented Nigel Bennett, Co-Founder and Chairman of Pip Studios. “Happily, we were able to keep building it out with only minor delays on certain materials. The UK production sector has lacked Atmos capacity for a while and opening these six stages now is perfect timing as production starts to ramp up again.”
Pip Studios will offer a wide range of audio services, including, but not limited to, Domestic and International Theatrical and Home Entertainment Mixing, localisation services and ADR recording.
“We have designed a facility that meet the needs of our clients, whilst ensuring the space is adaptable for a variety of audio work and new business,” says Curran. “As a completely new and independent facility we are also able to offer highly competitive rates, as well as being agile and responsive to client needs.”
Pip is about the people as much as the facilities. The three founders alone bring a vast reservoir of experience to the new studios — Director of Operations, Curran, was Studio Manager at Deluxe; Director of Creative Services, Sheffield, was Director of Audio Operations at the same company; and Bennett is both Managing Director of Molinare, a role he will continue to hold, and was Creative Services Director at Pinewood Studios.
“Through our reputation we have been able to bring on board a highly experienced and well-regarded crew to service our clients work,” comments Sheffield. “We might be new and the facilities might be fresh out of the box, but everything is driven by experience and expertise, and we can offer them the assurance that their content is in safe hands.”
