Studio 8 Is Officially Open
After weeks of pushing to get everything ready, and one date change along the way that we didn't want to repeat, Studio 8 is officially open. Honestly, as the opening got closer, there were moments it felt tight, but we got there, and the opening evening itself was a real success.
We had a great turnout on the night, a proper mix of people from across Pixel Affiliate, National Sound, Audio Playground, and Melonwave, alongside plenty of new faces too. It was genuinely nice seeing everyone together in one space for the first time, and the numbers on the night were better than I expected. It felt humbling, honestly.
For anyone who doesn't already know, Studio 8 is a building bringing creative businesses together under one roof. On the ground floor, National Sound is in the process of transitioning into Audio Playground, our dedicated rehearsal and teaching space, though for now bookings still run through National Sound while that shift happens. Melonwave, Dan Short's recording studio, takes up the middle floor, covering everything from full multitrack recording to live sessions and audiobooks. And upstairs is Pixel Affiliate, my own photography studio and editing suite.
None of this was some grand master plan. Dan and I were already collaborating on projects, the floors became available, and it just felt like the right time to bring everything together properly.
Having my own dedicated photography space is something I've wanted for a long time. Years ago I had a tiny studio in an outbuilding, nowhere near this size, and I never actually planned for it to happen this way. It's more that years of building things quietly led here.
The studio itself is already busy. We've had family portraits, newborn shoots, product shoots, and headshots booked in already, alongside plenty of editing work happening in the shared office space. On Melonwave's floor, Dan's already bringing over vocal recordings, mixing, tracking, and even audiobook work. Downstairs, National Sound continues to run rehearsals and tuition as it transitions into Audio Playground, while remaining the name behind our events, which run all over rather than just from the building itself.
Studio hire is now available too. Pixel Affiliate's studio can be booked online in two, three, or four hour slots, you pick your preferred time and I'll confirm availability before sending a payment link, since it's a working studio and last minute shoots do happen. For the space itself, we're shooting with Godox lighting, Neewer continuous lighting for colour work, and a large backdrop currently in black and white, with more colours to come.
If you're a photographer looking to hire the space, a band wanting to rehearse, or an artist looking to record, all of it can be booked online. And if you're after any photography or videography work yourself, get in touch with me directly at dan@pixelaffiliate.com. We shoot across pretty much every genre, so don't be shy about asking.
Either way, come and see the place if you haven't already. The door's open.