Bournemouth and Poole College proudly marked the grand opening of its cutting-edge music recording studio, designed to enhance the learning experience for degree-level music students. The opening welcomed distinguished guests, including Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, who officially inaugurated the new facility alongside his bandmates by recording a track.
The celebration was attended by key figures in the music and education sectors, including Jonathon Carr of Arts University Bournemouth, David Marchant—former leader of Popular Music Studies at the College and the original author of the Level 3 Popular Music course specification in the 1990s—along with esteemed lecturer and jazz guitarist. Also in attendance was Dave Thomas, whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping Bournemouth & Poole College’s renowned music program.
Julian Jacobs, Music Lecturer, who designed and installed the studio, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “The day was a resounding success and an enjoyable occasion for all involved. This milestone not only marks the completion of the first stage in our studio rebuild program but also signifies a major advancement in providing industry-standard resources for students while strengthening our ties with the community, industry, and stakeholder’s past, present, and future.”
Studio One has been completely rebuilt and now features an impressive line-up of professional-grade equipment, including:
- Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition – A 24-channel large-format mixing console, handcrafted in Hampshire, UK.
- Antelope Audio Orion 32+ Gen 4 – A state-of-the-art audio interface converter.
- Mac Studio M2 Max (64GB RAM) – Running industry-leading software such as Pro Tools and Cubase.
- High-End Monitoring System – Including Genelec 8040, Adam Audio A77H, and an Avantone Mixcube for mono.
- Advanced Outboard Gear – A range of compressors, reverbs, and other professional audio processing tools.
The studio also boasts a dedicated vocal booth within the control room and a 40-square-meter live room complete with a separate drum booth. The College, which offers Level 2 and 3 courses, as well as an FdA program in collaboration with Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), is set to extend similar upgrades to its four additional recording studios. Other resources include multiple rehearsal spaces, two technology suites, and an extensive collection of microphones, synthesizers, and music production tools.
With this state-of-the-art upgrade, Bournemouth & Poole College continues its commitment to providing top-tier music education. Prospective students interested in applying for the September 2025 intake can visit: