ABOUT ROC2 STUDIOS

We think of ROC2 not just as a facility, but also as a community. We work at all levels, on a range of different projects and are on hand to offer advice and services, – whether a specialist sound engineer, cameraman, video editor, PA expert or music producer. All staff who work at ROC2 Studios are experienced in their chosen field of work, with an understanding of the clients needs and the creative process.

STEVE HYWYN JONES
FOUNDER. ROC2 STUDIOS

HISTORY

ROC2 Studios sits where the municipal aerodrome used to service the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and the Royal Air Force in World War II. The airfield came under control of Royal Observer Corps, precipitated by the onset of the Cold War.

In 1962 a hardened nuclear bunker was built for No.17 Group Royal Observer Corps, North Wales, who provided the field force of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation. No.17 ROC would have sounded the four-minute warning alarm, in the event of war and warned the population of Wrexham in the event of approaching radioactive fallout. The building was manned by up to 80 volunteers.

Due to the Royal Observer Corps being disbanded, the bunker went through a transition between September 1991 and December 1995, was put up for sale by the MOD and was repurposed as a Recording and Mixing Studio by dance music remixers, K-Klass. The gallery was removed, ceiling dropped and a studio built within the map room, designed by acoustician, Sean Zoega, with a production room, and a small vocal booth for guest artists.

After K-Klass vacated the bunker, occupants arrived and left, adding to and modifying the building but leaving Studio 1 largely untouched, retaining its principal design and function as a high-end recording and mix-down studio.

FOUNDER

ROC2 Studios’ founder, Steve Hywyn Jones has worked within Creative Industries for his entire working life, both as performer and as technician. 

Steve’s professional life began as a musician, recording two albums and three singles, recorded for and released by Sain Records with the band, “Brodyr y Ffin”. Several compositions for TV followed this period and production work within recording studio’s continued at Realworld in Bath & Mayfair Studios in London.

A member of BAFTA winning ‘Best Actuality Crew’ (on location for ITV Wales), Steve has had a successful career in Location Sound Recording, both within Wales and on Network Television programs. Recording sound in 24 different countries have provided opportunities to be adaptable, creative and to always have an open mind.

Performance work as a musician include Bryn Terfel’s ‘Faenol’ festival and Focus Wales; acting in plays directed by Sara Sugarman & Gregory Doran at Theatr Clwyd ; network TV appearances on Channel 4 and BBC1. 

Television sound recording includes BBC Music Live, North Wales Music Festival, Gregynog Festival.
Steve is a full member of the Music Producers Guild and Institute of Professional Sound.