Abbey Road Studios has never done tours, guided or otherwise. Google Creative Lab and Stink Digital decided to change that using Google Maps technology (Streetview), YouTube videos and interactive exhibits. Inside Abbey Road is part of Google’s DevArt partnership with London’s Barbican.
And it’s a virtual of the studio that allows users to ‘walk’ through the three recording rooms, examine some of the gear, and learn more about the artists who recorded there. Some of its niftiest features are a time-lapse video of a full symphony setup, a sound test by stereo inventor (and Abbey Road engineer) Alan Blumlein, and a mixing desk so people can virtually use the sound controls.
The guided tour is narrated by Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer Sir George Martin. And Google worked with RSA Films director, Rob Blishen, on the video promoting the site.
FUN FACTS:
- To make it look like a journey in Streetview, it features a continuous shot in Abbey Road. So the crew had to block off six blocks of London traffic and keep tourists at bay for up to two minutes at a time.
- A visit to Studio Two allows users to play around with vocal effects like the flanger and phaser or watch a video of Oasis recording Dig Out Your Soul in the same space.
- In Studio Three, visitors can witness performances by Sam Smith and a “Body and Soul” duet between Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse.
- During Harry Potter, several scenes were set within the bowels of the earth. So, to evoke this subterranean world, galvanised watering cans bought from a local DIY shop were used. The sound from the orchestra was piped through the watering cans and then recorded.
Martin stated, “Abbey Road Studios has been a hive of creativity and source of world-class recordings for more than 80 years. The artists using the studios have sold countless millions of records and have helped create popular culture as we know it today. It’s an inspirational place and an honour for me to work there today. This collaboration with Google gives the outside world a great insight into the everyday workings of the studio and allows anyone to glimpse the magic that goes on inside the world’s most famous recording studio.”
