Studio
Philosophy
"To me, a studio has to be so much more than nice equipment. It must, at its core, be a space that enables and facilitates each individual who works within it to plunge into a state of deep connection and creative safety. It must respond sonically and emotionally"
Filipe Gomes - Artist & Founder of Arco Barco
Sound, Practice & Space
We work with sound in its most direct and attentive form, across music, film, long-form voice, and spoken word. Our approach is guided by careful listening, technical accuracy, and depth, ensuring that what is captured is not only precise, but meaningful.
Much of the work that passes through the studio values time, presence, and sensitivity to detail. Projects often require close attention to texture, space, and dynamic range. This may involve holding the stillness and nuance of a voice over extended sessions, navigating the layered intensity of a live recording, or responding to the shifting demands of a narrative environment.
Some of this work has gone on to receive the highest forms of recognition, including an Academy Award, an accolade that has reinforced our belief that sound is as much about presence as it is about precision.
The studio is designed around both technical excellence and creative openness.
For work that demands clarity and sustained focus (particularly long-form voice and dialogue) we offer acoustically refined spaces that prioritise comfort, isolation, and freedom from distraction. These environments are designed to support consistency, vocal ease, and concentration over time. For work that benefits from openness and interaction, the studio balances controlled isolation with natural resonance, supporting both critical capture and exploratory processes.
Although our in house computers and audio processing have been refined to meet the highest needs of our sessions, we've also designed systems that are adaptable. Engineers and artists are free to work in ways that suit their own methods and habits, rather than conforming to a fixed system, laptops can easily be integrated with a single connection - enabling access to the studio’s AD/DA, routing, and outboard infrastructure, allowing sessions to unfold in the way the work requires.
Alongside our digital tools (chosen and designed for precision and repeatability), the studio also supports analog processes that shape listening, pace, and decision-making in different ways. Multitrack tape machines, outboard processors, and modular consoles can, where appropriate, be central to the process. We also operate a vinyl lathe cutter, allowing sound to be physically inscribed directly onto disc — a process that foregrounds materiality, commitment, and attention.
Housed within a maritime arch, Arco Barco is shaped as much by its architecture as by its equipment. The space is highly adaptable, with custom-built modular baffles used to create isolated recording zones and to actively shape the acoustic character of the room.
These elements can also be configured as a reverb chamber, allowing spatial depth to emerge from the physical environment itself, producing qualities that cannot be replicated digitally in the same way.
At its core, Arco Barco is a place where listening is prioritised. Whether capturing a performance, balancing a mix, or shaping tone, each project is approached with care, respect for sound, and curiosity about what the work itself asks for. Rather than imposing a fixed aesthetic, the studio creates the conditions from which an aesthetic can emerge, shaped by the space, the process, and the people working within it.
EXPANDING SOUND
The space is designed for all forms of audio production, from film post-production and sound design to radio and podcasts. Over the years, Arco Barco has hosted a diverse range of projects, welcoming clients from across the creative spectrum. Our studio has been (and continues to be) a trusted space for some of the most notable arts, media, and storytelling organisations.
IMPORTANT
We kindly inform you that Arco Barco is uniquely situated within a maritime arch on the second floor, and the sole access point is through a steep external staircase.
Regrettably, due to the building’s listed status, modifications to improve accessibility are not permissible. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and extend our sincerest apologies to those who might find access challenging.
To our studio clients, we would like to assure you that our dedicated team at Arco Barco specialises in managing equipment logistics in this distinctive space. Please inform us of your equipment requirements in advance, and we will endeavor to meet your needs to the best of our abilities.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and are committed to making your experience with us as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further assistance.