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Seeking a large underground space, cave, or chamber for music recording

D

Duncanswood

New member
Greetings and Merry Christmas to all here.
A small but imaginative music recording company has set me the challenge of finding a large, naturally formed, underground space which could serve as a music recording venue (no audience). Hopefully someone here may know of somewhere which has an unusual or impressively reverberant acoustic yet is quiet enough to allow the recording of a solo stringed instrument, probably a cello, i.e. no waterfalls or streams audible.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Best wishes to all.
 
Peak Cavern, the Devils Arse! Some negotiation to avoid paying punters, but bear in mind out of hours access is possible.
 
Also Big Bertha in Whitescar show Cave in the Dales. Two other requirements you've not mentioned is being able to get musician, instrument, recording gear in and out without damage. You'll also need to arrange power for the recording gear, if not battery powered. A show cave is most likely to have all that.
 
First chamber in hillocks mine. Used to put a generator outside and run cables in for speakers stereos turntables etc in there. Not massive but big enough for a party!
 
If it doesn't have to be natural Go Below hire underground cabins in Cwmorthin Quarry, so would probably have power available.
 
Sand Cavern and Mud Hall in Gaping Gill fit your criteria, however as Wellyjen pointed out, there are some far more important factors to consider.
It depends if you want the “journey” to the location to be part of the project?
 
Ian P said:
Sand Cavern and Mud Hall in Gaping Gill fit your criteria, however as Wellyjen pointed out, there are some far more important factors to consider.
It depends if you want the “journey” to the location to be part of the project?
Click to expand...
Good luck in getting a cello through to sand cavern, the portcullis could be fun.
 
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Depends on how far you're willing to travel?
 
Profuse thanks to all who have replied with suggestions so far.

In Colorado, USA a huge disused water tank (7 stories tall) is used as a recording venue and live performance space by musicians and sound artists. The acoustics of The Tank create reverberations which last 45 seconds and the effect is extraordinary. However, given that The Tank is made from Corten steel the sounds it produces are somewhat metallic.

If a natural cave or cavern in the UK can be found and used it is hoped that the sounds bouncing around rock will have a more organic character.

Electricity is not a prerequisite as recording gear these days is lightweight, portable, compact, and battery powered. Ditto for lighting.
Access perhaps is slightly more of an issue but as Ian P observes in his kind reply to my post – getting there might be part of the fun of the project and in this ever more homogenised world, what is life without a challenge?!

The recording company is based in West Sussex but I’m certain they would consider anything anywhere in the UK that has amazing natural acoustics, is naturally quiet(ish), and can by arrangement be controlled for a few hours.

More suggestions about possible practical natural subterranean spaces are hugely welcome – thank you all so very much.
 
Wait for someone based in the Peak District to respond to you (assuming this area is area you're based in). I think P. W-H. Is your man for this one having done sound recording in caves.
 
Gough's Cave, Cheddar. Think they've had choirs in the the end chamber in the show-cave. Sand or Mushroom Chamber off the show-cave.
 
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