When iconic drummer Ash Soan moved to the British countryside 17 years ago, he never imagined that a broken-down windmill would become the foundation of a world-class recording operation. Today, from his unique Norfolk studio, Ash delivers drum tracks for world-famous artists and producers, all while serving as the touring drummer for Snow Patrol.
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A Legendary Career Built on Groove
Ash Soan’s journey began in London’s vibrant 90’s music scene, but it was his work with Del Amitri that first put him on the map. From 1994-97, the band supported some of the biggest acts in rock history – The Rolling Stones, REM, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, and Oasis – culminating in performances at Woodstock ’94 and Wembley Stadium.
This early success opened doors to session work with an extraordinary roster of artists. Ash has played with Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Sinead O’Connor, Marianne Faithfull, James Morrison, Seal, and Squeeze, while working alongside legendary producers Trevor Horn, Steve Lipson, and Mark Taylor. His most notable recording credit remains Adele’s “21” album, and he currently serves as touring drummer for Snow Patrol. Ash reflects:
“I was just very fortunate that the music business in the late 90’s and early 2000’s was still in pretty good shape.”
The Windmill Transformation
When Ash became a father 17 years ago, he left London and moved with his family to Norfolk. That decision that opened the door to a revolutionary approach to drum recording. The historic windmill on Ash’s property was “just a lovely old, broken down historic ruin” until a family friend who specialised in green builds suggested a creative solution.
The idea was simple: transform the windmill into a soundproof practice space where Ash could play without “annoying the sheep in the next field.” Using straw bales, lime render, reclaimed wooden boards, and careful insulation, they created what was intended to be just a personal rehearsal room.
But when producer Mark Taylor heard a test recording from the space, everything changed. He immediately recognised the windmill’s potential as a professional recording environment. That’s when Ash’s recording journey began.
Iconic drummer Ash Soan playing inside the Windmill Studio
Remote Recording Evolution
Ash was one of the first drummers to recognise the potential of remote recording, becoming a specialist in delivering world-class drum tracks from his own studio. He began his technical journey with Pro Tools and four Neve 1073LB preamps in lunchbox format, methodically developing his knowledge and recording techniques over time.
As his expertise grew, so did his collection – adding 88RLB preamps (the same preamps he’d seen in Abbey Road’s 88R console) and the versatile 1073OPX unit to create a comprehensive 14-channel Neve recording chain. Alongside the preamps, Ash built an extensive microphone collection based on what he’d observed in professional studios during his session work, combined with his own experimentation.
Social Media Pioneer
With his recording capabilities evolving, Ash then pioneered multi-microphone drum recording on social media. His Instagram posts showcasing the Windmill Studio attracted hundreds of thousands of followers, who watched as he demonstrated professional recording techniques and shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of his sessions.
This dual approach – leveraging both his established industry reputation and growing social media audience – created something unique in the session world. Ash now receives work from both traditional music industry channels and his engaged online fanbase. Ash explains:
“Now I’m in a space where people come to me and ask me to do remote recordings because of my reputation before and now.”
The COVID pandemic accelerated this trend dramatically, forcing the entire industry to embrace what Ash had been pioneering for years. Remote recording has evolved from alternative approach to standard practice, with artists and producers recognising the quality and convenience it offers when executed at Ash’s professional level.
Ash’s setup includes 14 channels of Neve sound
The Neve Foundation
At the heart of Ash’s windmill setup lies his collection of Neve preamps, which form the backbone of his professional sound. As Ash puts it:
“Every single recording I’ve ever done, some aspect of the drums has gone through a Neve. Neve, to me, is an integral part of my sound.”
The 1073OPX has become particularly valuable in Ash’s setup for its reliability and integration capabilities. “You don’t have to spend five grand on an interface for it to work,” Ash notes, highlighting how the units connect seamlessly with affordable ADAT interfaces while maintaining world-class sound quality. “You just turn it on and it works. And in my world, that really does take the stress out of it.”
The Complete Recording Setup
Ash’s windmill studio centres around two distinct kick drum setups, permanently plumbed in to give him instant access to completely different characters. His main kit features a vintage Sennheiser 421 on a Kelly Shu shock mount for the inside sound, paired with a Solomon LoFreq on the outside – both feeding separate Neve preamps (1073LB and 1073OPX respectively). The secondary kit uses a single Solomon LoFreq through the 1073OPX, providing a significantly different kick sound without any re-miking or overdubs.
For snare, Ash runs a classic combination of Shure SM57 on top through the 1073LB, with an SM58 underneath going to the 1073OPX. He particularly loves driving his Bermuda Sand fifties snare through the 1073LB, creating what he describes as a “hip hop” character when pushed slightly into saturation.
The hi-hat setup showcases Ash’s preference for ribbon microphones, using a Beyerdynamic M160 through the 1073LB. This choice provides the warm, crunchy character he loves while remaining gentle on harsh frequencies that might bleed from the snare.
Overhead duties are handled by legendary Coles 4038 ribbon microphones, positioned with their iconic Star Wars figurines on top (“that’s part of my sound,” Ash jokes). These feed into the 88RLB preamps – the same units Ash has seen in Abbey Road’s consoles. The combination captures the kit’s overall character with that distinctive Coles warmth.
For toms, Ash keeps things straightforward with Sennheiser 604 clip-on microphones on both rack and floor toms, both running through 1073OPX preamps. Despite being “cheap as chips,” these mics have earned his loyalty over the years for their reliable, no-nonsense performance that works perfectly in conjunction with the overhead mics.
The room sound comes from a single Shure microphone positioned controversially close to the wooden ceiling, also feeding the 1073OPX. This placement captures reflections off the wood that add character and dimension to the overall mix – another example of how the windmill’s unique construction contributes to its distinctive sound.
Ash demonstrates that remote world-class recordings are possible
Real-World Results
This isn’t just a hobby setup – Ash’s windmill studio handles serious commercial work. Recent projects include sessions with Dua Lipa and the new Lion King soundtrack with Elton John. As Ash confirms:
“The files are going to world-class producers around the world, and so far there’s been no complaints.”
From an old windmill to a cutting-edge remote recording facility, Ash Soan’s journey represents the evolution of modern music production. With Neve preamps as his recording foundation and decades of experience guiding his choices, he’s created a unique space where tradition meets innovation – proving that world-class remote recording is possible.
Experience the Windmill Sound for Yourself
Follow Ash Soan’s journey: Connect with @ashsoan on social media to see his latest multi-microphone drum recordings and behind-the-scenes content from the windmill studio
Watch the full studio tour: See Ash demonstrate his complete setup in our exclusive windmill studio video
Bring Neve to your setup: Explore the complete range of Neve outboard preamps, from the versatile 1073OPX to the classic 1073LB and 88RLB units that power Ash’s legendary drum sounds
Join the conversation: Share your own studio setups using #NeveSound
Ready to elevate your sound? Whether you’re building a home studio or upgrading your existing setup, Neve’s professional-grade preamps deliver the legendary sound that icons like Ash Soan rely on. Contact your nearest Neve dealer today to discover how 14 channels of pure Neve magic can transform your recordings.
