Wisseloord Studios

Wisseloord Studios is a recording-studio complex in Hilversum, the Netherlands. The facility was established by Philips to provide a professional recording environment for artists associated with its PolyGram music business and was officially opened by Prince Claus on 19 January 1978. It began with three studios and later expanded to five, establishing itself as one of the Netherlands’ notable large-scale recording locations. The studio initially served primarily Dutch artists, but its profile quickly became international. Artists associated with sessions at Wisseloord include Elton John, Scorpions, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, the Police, Tina Turner, Electric Light Orchestra, U2, Chris Brown, and Nas. The facility’s identity has been shaped by its unusually large recording rooms and by its ability to accommodate major band sessions, orchestral-scale work, production projects, and collaborative writing. From 2010, a new management team began a substantial modernization program in cooperation with designer and acoustician Jochen Veith. The work was intended to create a more flexible contemporary studio model, including two identical control rooms that would make it easier for productions to move between rooms without changing working methods. Technical upgrades included Automated Processes, Inc. Vision and Avid Euphonix System 5 mixing systems, together with PMC active monitoring. These changes positioned the complex as a hybrid of classic large-room recording infrastructure and modern digital production capability. A further strategic shift took place in 2017, when French music producer and co-owner Malik Berrabah became associated with the studio’s leadership. Under this direction, Wisseloord expanded its role beyond conventional studio hire. The facility developed into a broader music hub supporting international residencies, writing camps, and cross-border sessions. This model uses the studio’s physical rooms as a base for bringing artists, songwriters, producers, and other music professionals together in the Netherlands. In 2020, Wisseloord launched the Wisseloord Academy. The academy was designed to connect formal music education in schools and conservatories with the practical requirements of the music industry. Its training scope includes engineering, songwriting, and artist development, supported by lecturers, workshops, and master classes involving industry professionals. The academy complements the studio’s commercial recording activities by presenting Wisseloord as a place for professional development as well as music creation. Today, Wisseloord Studios is best understood as a specialized professional-services brand rather than a consumer product label. Its offering combines recording rooms, control rooms, production infrastructure, collaborative programs, and education. Its positioning rests on the combination of a long-established Dutch studio heritage, large acoustically distinctive rooms, internationally oriented programming, and access to contemporary recording and mixing equipment.

Wisseloord Studios was created in Hilversum by Philips as a professional recording environment for artists connected with PolyGram. The complex officially opened on 19 January 1978 in a ceremony attended by Prince Claus. Its original configuration contained three studios; the site later grew to five. The investment reflected the importance of professional recording infrastructure to the Dutch and international recorded-music business during the expansion of the album era. During its early period, Wisseloord was used mainly by Dutch artists. Its reputation nevertheless expanded rapidly beyond the Netherlands. International acts including Elton John, Scorpions, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, the Police, Tina Turner, Electric Light Orchestra, U2, Chris Brown, and Nas are identified as having used the facilities. The range of artists helped establish the studio as a destination for internationally oriented recording work rather than only a local production site. The facility entered a modernization phase beginning in 2010. A new management team worked with designer and acoustician Jochen Veith to refurbish the studios and adapt them to contemporary production practices. One central concept was the creation of two identical control rooms, allowing engineers and artists to move more easily between rooms while retaining a consistent workflow. The technical renewal included Automated Processes, Inc. Vision and Avid Euphonix System 5 mixing consoles, as well as PMC active monitoring. The result combined Wisseloord’s large traditional recording spaces with updated control-room capabilities. The studio’s rooms are notable for their scale and distinctive character. They have been described by visiting musicians as exceptionally large, space-like environments, a quality that differentiates Wisseloord from smaller project studios and supports large ensemble, band, and high-production-value sessions. In 2017, Wisseloord underwent a broader strategic transformation under French music producer and co-owner Malik Berrabah. Rather than operating only as a facility booked for individual sessions, the organization developed a more expansive international music-hub model. Artists and music professionals from different countries were invited to the Netherlands for residencies, writing camps, and collaborative sessions. This approach made networking and creative exchange part of the studio’s value proposition. Wisseloord extended that development into education with the launch of the Wisseloord Academy in 2020. The academy was intended to address the gap between academic music study and professional music-industry practice. Its subject areas include engineering, songwriting, and artist development, with instruction delivered through lecturers, workshops, and master classes. The academy therefore added a skills-development function to the studio’s existing recording and production activities. Wisseloord Studios’ historical significance rests on the combination of institutional origins, long-term technical investment, internationally recognized users, and continued adaptation to changes in music production. It evolved from a Philips-backed recording complex into a privately operated creative and educational hub whose activities encompass recording, mixing, collaboration, residencies, writing, and professional training.

• 2020

  Wisseloord Academy launches

  [1]Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The Wisseloord Academy began offering practical music-industry education in areas including engineering, songwriting, and artist development.

• 2017

  Expansion into an international music hub

  [1]Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Under producer and co-owner Malik Berrabah, Wisseloord expanded its activities to include international residencies, writing camps, and collaborative sessions.

• 2010

  Major refit begins

  [1]Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  A new management team and Jochen Veith began a major redesign and technical modernization of the studios.

• 1978

  Official opening

  [1]Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Wisseloord Studios officially opened in Hilversum on 19 January 1978, with Prince Claus conducting the opening ceremony.

• 1978

  Initial three-studio complex

  [1]Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The Philips-founded facility began operations with three studios and later expanded to five.

A heritage recording complex and international music hub combining large-format studios, contemporary production technology, artist collaboration, residencies, writing camps, and practical music-industry education.

• Recording facility · 1978

  Recording studios

  Wisseloord provides large-format recording rooms intended for professional music sessions. The complex originally opened with three studios and later expanded to five. Its rooms have hosted Dutch and international artists and are particularly associated with a spacious, distinctive acoustic environment suitable for bands, ensembles, and major production sessions.

• Audio production · 2010

  Control rooms and mixing facilities

  The studios’ modernization program included two identical control rooms designed to make it easier for productions to move between rooms. The technical environment includes Automated Processes, Inc. Vision and Avid Euphonix System 5 mixing systems, supported by PMC active monitoring. These facilities serve recording, editing, mixing, and related production workflows.

• Music collaboration services · 2017

  Residencies and writing camps

  Wisseloord hosts international music residencies, writing camps, and collaborative sessions. These programs use the studio as a meeting point for artists and music professionals from different countries, extending the business beyond conventional room rental and supporting co-writing, production development, and cross-border creative exchange.

• Music education · 2020

  Wisseloord Academy

  Launched in 2020, the Wisseloord Academy connects academic music education with professional industry practice. Its training scope includes recording engineering, songwriting, and artist development, delivered through lecturers, workshops, and master classes for people seeking practical skills across the music business.

• 2020

  Launch the Wisseloord AcademyProduct launch

  Background

  Wisseloord identified a gap between formal music education and the practical skills required by the professional music industry.

  Action taken

  The studio launched an academy covering areas such as engineering, songwriting, and artist development through lecturers, workshops, and master classes.

  Aftermath

  Education became an additional pillar of Wisseloord’s activities alongside recording, production, and creative collaboration.

  Source

• 2017

  Develop Wisseloord as an international music hubStrategy

  Background

  The studio sought to broaden its role beyond facility-based recording and engage more directly with international creative collaboration.

  Action taken

  Under Malik Berrabah’s leadership as producer and co-owner, Wisseloord expanded into residencies, writing camps, and international collaborative sessions.

  Aftermath

  The organization became more internationally oriented and positioned the facility as a destination for creative programs as well as recording.

  Source

• 2010

  Modernize the studio complex for contemporary productionStrategy

  Background

  The facility needed to combine its established large-room recording identity with modern control-room workflows and equipment.

  Action taken

  Management worked with Jochen Veith on a major refit, including two identical control rooms, updated mixing systems, and PMC active monitoring.

  Aftermath

  The refit strengthened Wisseloord’s ability to serve contemporary recording and mixing projects while preserving its large-studio format.

  Source

1. 1Wisseloord Studiosen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Wisseloord Studios official websitewisseloord.nl