The Abbey Road Institute based in London and British microphone brand Sontronics have recently confirmed their official partnership, following many years of working together.

In the image above from left to right we have Chris Cook (Sontronics Product Manager), Trevor Coley (Sontronics founder & designer), Lucy Garcia (ARI Student Administrator), Mike Sinnott (ARI Campus Manager), Carlos Lellis (ARI Programme Director).

The link between Abbey Road Institute (ARI) began when the Institute was founded back in 2015. It was built on the many years of close involvement between Sontronics and Abbey Road Studios itself (where many Sontronics microphone prototypes have been developed and tested). However, the relationship hasn’t just been about the hardware. Abbey Road Institute graduate Chris Cook, who was a student in the Institute’s very first intake, joined the Sontronics team in 2016 and is now Sontronics Product Manager.

Sontronics has always placed great emphasis on education and this partnership provides the perfect opportunity to share the brand’s technical expertise and knowledge with the next generation of producers, engineers and artists. Both Chris and Trevor Coley (Sontronics’ founder and designer) regularly give microphone and recording workshops at the Institute’s London campus, helping the students how to get the best results through the understanding of microphone types, correct placement and various recording techniques.

This formalising of this partnership will provide the Institute’s music production students with additional learning experiences through masterclasses, online workshops and work placements at Sontronics’ Dorset HQ as well as access to Sontronics’ full range of premium-quality microphones and opportunities to try out and give feedback on new prototypes.

Sontronics’ founder & designer Trevor Coley told us…

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Abbey Road Institute, where we’re thrilled to say our mics are used on a daily basis and, of course, all our new prototypes are put through their paces next door in Abbey Road Studios under the watchful eye of chief microphone technician Lester Smith. We have a passion for creating innovative products and building classics of the future, but we are also dedicated to sharing knowledge and helping others to develop their skills. Our partnership with Abbey Road Institute reflects these two aspects of Sontronics perfectly.”

Today, with much of the world still living in very different circumstances, like many educational establishments, the Abbey Road Institute team has adapted their teaching methods, offering classes remotely, and the staff have been working closely with Sontronics to develop online and live-streamed workshops, the first of which was delivered on Friday 15th May with more to follow. Even better, these new workshops are not only available to London students, but also shared with the other Institutes across Europe and South Africa. 

Sontronics’ Product Manager and Abbey Road Institute alumnus Chris Cook adds…

“We will continue to work closely with Abbey Road Institute students and graduates around the world, sharing our passion for product design and experience of recording techniques, either in person or using new technologies to work together remotely.”

Abbey Road Institute’s Campus Manager, Mike Sinnott agrees…

“Trevor and his team have developed a comprehensive range of excellent-sounding mics that have proved to be a big hit with staff and students alike. Since working with Sontronics we have received a consistently high level of personalised educational support. I am happy that we can now formally announce them as one of our key partners.” 

Want To Know More?

You can read more about the partnership between Sontronics and the Abbey Road Institute as well as the recent Sontronics/ARI workshops on the Abbey Road Institute’s blog.