A new recording studio throws open its doors on Sunday offering the complete package to local and national bands..

Swindon’s Drive Recording Studios goes back to the future offering musicians either state of the art digital recording or the raw retro sound from analogue tape machines.

Phil Legende said: “We are the bridge between technology and creation. We can produce multi tracking in analogue or digital. It can be produced, smooth and polished or raw like a live recording - that’s where the magic happens.’’ Phil is joined in the business by Martin Kilford and Ewan Merrett. Martin started the original Drive Studios 25 years ago, almost to the day of the new studio’s launch on Sunday.

Martin ran the studios from 1986 to 1997 and during that time recorded a number of famous names including Swindon’s own rock giants XTC. He said: “We recorded Norman Wisdom, John Otway, Jimmy Greaves and James Warren from the Corgis.’’ Phil was his sound engineer for the last three years before setting up his own studio and both musicians have played in various bands over the years including Zebra Coate and Anish. Martin has donated all his archives from the original Drive studios to the new enterprise for the musicians to track down any tracks that bands or artists wish to have digitally remastered from the old tapes.

Phil said: “The Foo Fighters did their last album in analogue so we too are offering that back to basics sound.’’ Ewan has just completed his music technology course at Bath college and is also a guitarist, keyboard player and writes his own songs. Martin now runs his own accountancy business and Phil has run two previous studios.

Phil said: “At Iveson studios I recorded Midnight Special, an album of country music by Grand Prairie, and at Coda studios I recorded their single It Ain’t You which was played by Kid Jenson and whispering Bob Harris. It also had air play in the US when they played some dates with Willie Nelson. Grand Prairie are currently working on their new album with us at Drive.’’ The open day runs from 10am to 6pm at the studios, based at the bottom of Eastcott Hill, with a performance from local band Dirt Royal.

There will be taster sessions for wannabe guitarists and drummers by Andy Wraight from Rock and Roll Music and Phil and Ewan will give demonstrations on recording techniques.

Alongside offering full recording, remastering and sound engineer courses the studio offers full video production in both filming and editing to complete the package. For more details call 07570863805 or visit www.drivemusic.co.uk or www.myspace.com/Drive.Music.