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Behind the Music: The Legacy and Future of Wisseloord Studios

Writer's picture: TapetownTapetown

wisseloord studios

Wisseloord Studios was established in 1978 by Philips to serve PolyGram artists and quickly became one of Europe’s most sought-after studios. It attracted global superstars and remains relevant after its major renovation in 2012. Today, it blends history with cutting-edge technology, still hosting top-tier talent.


Behind the Music

Over the years, this place has attracted some of the biggest names in music. You walk in, and the walls just hum with the energy of legends who’ve recorded here—Elton John, U2, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, The Police, and Mick Jagger.

The magic? It’s in the gear. They had it all: Vintage analog consoles like SSL and Neve give your sound that rich, timeless feel, and the latest digital tech to keep everything sharp and precise. If you were looking for microphones, they had the classics, from Neumann to Telefunken.


The rooms are huge, open spaces where the acoustics just pop, no matter what you’re recording. You’ve got your choice of outboard gear, compressors, EQs, all the tools you need to craft something extraordinary. Plus, the place is packed with synths and toys that’ll take your sound places you never dreamed.

In 2012, they gave the studio a facelift, but they never lost that old-school charm.

It’s a blend of the past and the future, and that’s what keeps it relevant. Whether you’re recording a new album or mixing a film score, you know you’re in good hands here.

Wisseloord’s still the place to be if you’re chasing that big sound.

Curious about the gear they’re using today? Check out the full collection here.


Trivia: On July 7, 1980, The Police began recording their album in Hilversum. Just a few weeks later, on August 9, the recordings were completed. The band later won two Grammys with the album Zenyatta Mondatta—Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for 'Don't Stand So Close to Me' and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for 'Behind My Camel.'

Interestingly, the band had never planned to record the album in the Hilversum studio. However, due to tax-related reasons, it wasn’t possible to record it at their usual studio, Surrey Sound Recording Studio in Surrey, U.K.


Since its founding, the name Wisseloord has stood for world-class quality. Artists from all over the world rely on our facilities and expertise for their recordings, mixing, and productions. The Wisseloord Academy upholds this tradition of excellence, striving to provide all our participants with the best possible guidance to nurture their talent at the heart of the Dutch music industry.

We take great pride in the reputation Wisseloord Studios has built over more than 40 years. Our core team—comprising producers, songwriters, and industry professionals—shares their experience in a truly unique way, ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of everything we do.


Do you want to take your music career to the next level and enhance your skills? Wisseloord provides you with a wide variety of courses at the Academy. Whether you're aiming for a professional career or just exploring your passion for music, our courses offer a supportive environment to grow your talent and creativity. Explore all their available courses here!


And if you're looking for a true representation of music’s raw emotion, live sessions are the ultimate way to capture it. At our core, we specialize in creating these moments because we believe that good video live sessions are one of the best ways for artists to showcase their talent. The emotions and energy that only come alive in front of a crowd are something you have to experience to truly understand.

We're passionate about supporting alternative and non-commercial genres, giving artists the chance to carve out sustainable careers. Live sessions play a key role in this journey, and we're here to help bring these incredible performances to life. Check out our live sessions here.


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