Limbo Studio.
Phil Snell. Click here to contact us. Or on Facebook here
Limbo Studios for a great sound!
Music recording, arranging and producing
Original music for videos, tv, etc
Audio Restoration - clean up noise, restore old recordings, etc
Mastering for CD or digital distribution
Remixing - send your stems for mixdown and mastering
Artwork layout and CD manufacture
Advice, tea and sympathy (when necessary)


Professional quality equipment:
Software includes: Presonus Studio One, Pro Tools, UAD, Izotope, LiquidSonics, Sony, Waves, IK Multimedia, Clariphonics, Eventide, Emulator X and many more plug ins
Hardware includes: Quality microphones from Neumann, AKG, etc. Art and Focusrite pre-amps, vintage Lexicon reverb . etc.
Top class monitoring: Sennheiser headphones, Neumann, Dynaudio, B & W and Quad speakers
Here are some samples of tracks recorded at Limbo Studios. Many thanks go to the artists for allowing us to post them. They represent a small sample of the recordings made here over the last 20 years...  
"Usually I work in the same room as the artist. I prefer the intimate atmosphere and feel that I get a better performance than sitting behind a window. I have access to a conventional studio and an excellent live recording system "
Hallowed Ground - C J Smith
"Phil's sensitivity as a producer provided an added sense of vision to my album. He could see things in the music that I hadn't considered, giving each track a unique character and developing the songs as landscapes. It was a refreshingly new experience to use a collage technique rather than recording in the traditional way. Phil blended the instruments into an interesting 'stew', emphasising different details and creating atmospheres. A particular example of this is the title track, which he spent hours amending and tweaking. The fact that he is a multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented producer, gave me a lot of scope as a songwriter and between the two of us we could utilise a wide spectrum of instruments. In addition, Phil is a lovely guy to work with and we had a lot of fun making the album."
CJ Smith -'Hallowed Ground';
Hey- Rachel Goodwin vist the artist websit
"When I started recording this album, I had a toddler and a 2-month old! So prolonged time away from home was never going to be an option. So, how wonderful it was that Phil was able to accommodate my occasional trips to his. We recorded in 2-hour sessions and it was always very relaxed - no mean feat when you are recording just a few feet away from the producer! One of the beauties was that I would turn up to carry on where we'd left off, but in the meantime Phil had been putting the hours in working tirelessly on what we'd done so far. He added stuff that I just wouldn't have thought of. He constantly had new ideas and never tired of doing takes and re-takes so that we were both happy with the end result. His production and multi-instrumental talents resulted in a beautiful album that we are both very proud of. I am not sure how many other producers would have put up with my "timetable". Always so generous with his time, he was a pleasure and privelege to work with. Thank you Phil."  Rachel Goodwin - Hey
Otley Musicians for Amnesty - Various Artists All proceeds to Amnesty International
Compilation produced and mastered by Limbo.
  Truck and Swing - St. Louis Zipper. Recorded by Tim Wybrow - produced by Phil Snell
Downhill all the way - Slide Recorded by Tim Wybrow - produced by Phil Snell
artist's website
  The Silverlode - Tom Napper & Tom Bliss   vist the artist website
"I had to pop to Mark's this morning. I played him some snatches - to say he was impressed would be the understatement of the year, and it was your production work he was the most impressed with! Bowie had a similar reaction - in fact they've both already ordered copies!
A tricky brief, carried out to perfection and in the most pleasant, relaxed and professional manner. In fact it was damn good fun!
What more can I say?!"
Tom Bliss of Napper Bliss, 'the Silverlode';
Wayfaring Stranger - the Friendly Visit

Recorded by Tim Wybrow - produced by Phil Snell;

  Footprints in the Sand - Fountain Head vist the artist website 
"Working with Phil Snell at Limbo Creatives has always been a creative, learning, wonderful musical experience. Phil has a very friendly approach that brings out the best in all performers, he is diplomatic when needed, focused, helpful and warm. He brings a wealth of knowledge and musical experience to his recording – we were always amazed at how great things sounded when he sent the mixes through. He manages to capture the energy of a live performance with the finesse and quality of a top end studio. I so glad that our first experience of a studio was at Limbo Creatives - even now, 13 years later, we would still choose to record up in Phil’s top room if we could." Tom Stupple, Fountainhead - Footprints in the Sand
Sweeter Life - side 1 - Phil Snell     Sweeter Life - side 2 - Phil Snell  
The Kelping - Tom Napper & Tom Bliss   vist the artist website
"... and the production is AAA1, the sound is just so good, Phil Snell has done a fantastic job..."
Tony Charnock commenting on 'the Kelping', Napper Bliss;
  Old Music - Phil Snell

vist the artist website 

"...This deliciously unpretentious disc is very probably as much fun to listen to as it was to make, I'd wager - and it helps that the playing is as sparkling as it is, and that Phil's attitude to the music and its communication is so refreshingly evangelistic in the nicest possible way..."
Dave Kidman on Phil Snell, 'Old Music';
Ha'penny Tweedle - Mundy-Turner

vist the artist website 

" Phil Snell the recording engineer: dedicated, hard-working, highly skilled, thoroughly professional yet delightfully human. So easy to work with, because he is a real musician as well as a great tech-head.
Phil Snell the musician: when God was dishing out talent they gave two double servings to Phil! An incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist. We love his delicate, melodic style - it swings, it sings, it rocks. We especially love his mandolin playing. Even his vocal work (which HE thinks is his weak point) is grand, delivering well-chosen material with great character and pathos."
Cath Mundy - Ha'penny Tweedle, Mundy-Turner
"We had the best time working with you at your studio. It was relaxed & fun & we got top-class results.
We'd do it again, any day. (You can quote us!). " Mundy Turner ";
  The Other Side of Blue - Angie Shaw

vist the artist website 

"Thanks to Phil Snell at Limbo Creatives for your talent and genius, musicality, artistry, endless patience and general all-round wonderfulness – thanks for tuning into me – I had so much fun!” Lovely friendly relaxed atmosphere to work in, with a lovely guy who works very hard on your songs with wonderful results!" Angie Shaw
Suited and Booted - The Malkies

vist the artist website 

  In the Pines - Phil Snell

vist the artist website 

Stories of Angels and Guitars - Patsy Matheson

vist the artist website 

  Windingboy and Other Tall Tales - Gerry Cooper and Phil Snell
Elbow Grease and Marmalade - Lime Scurvy
"Lime Scurvy is an a-cappella shanty trio; we were looking for someone who could deliver an authentic impression of our stage act on CD. Phil at Limbo Studios achieved this for us, and more, spending time getting perfect "takes" of each song and giving us loads of useful suggestions "on the fly". Limbo Studios also facilitated production and packaging of the CD. A thoroughly professional and enjoyable experience from start to finish" Jim Lawton - Lime Scurvy
  Follow the River - Gerry Cooper
"When I started planning the album which eventually became Follow the River, I thought it would be another 'voice and guitar' CD, much as my others had been, with the difference that about half of the songs would be self-written.
Working with Phil in Limbo Studios very soon widened my horizons! I'd record a guitar and vocal for a song and a day or so later receive an mp3 with the same song hugely embellished with any or most of the following: mandolin, fiddle, lap steel, electric guitar, bass, keyboards - all furnished by Phil. Then we called in some friends to do backing/harmony vocals: Lucy Zirins, Tom Attah. plumhall, Christopher Brant Anderson, Ann Davis - all of them lifted the music to a still higher level. Having real drums and percussion played by Hughie Whitaker of the Housemartins was the final cherry on top. It was a great experience for me and I would (and indeed do) recommend recording at Limbo to any musician. Phil will bring out the best musician you can be, as he did with me." Gerry Cooper - Follow the River
Sunniva Brynnel & Matt Holborn Duo "...thanks for recording us! It sounded really good..." Sunniva Brynnel   Domino Girls - Patsy Matheson

vist the artist website 

Gerry Cooper and Phil Snell. - Truckin' on to Happy     David Thomas Broughton and Juice Vocal Ensemble  
Two Straylarkers - Straydance Outbreak "Two Straylarkers were looking for somewhere to record our EP of fiddle instrumentals. We decided to try recording with Phil.
Phil was friendly, helpful and professional. Two short recording sessions and it was done.
He also had the CD's printed for us. The whole process was a pleasure.
Very tasty sandwhiches were also provided. "
Lee Corona Smith - Two Straylarkers
  Golden Arrows - Jim Eldon Originally recorded by Ray Williams at Panda Sound in 1991, remastered for CD by Limbo in 2014.
Over the Heather - Yan Tan Tether Recording with Phil has been a delight. It was the first recording experience for us as a group and we naturally were unsure about how the whole process works. Phil was patient and encouraging when we were less than happy with our performance, but mostly he gave us a first class professional service, offering advice, tweaking and merging and pulling together 3 distinct voices plus a variety of instruments seamlessly to create a wonderful, rich sound. Not only is Phil approachable and warm, he gives his time generously and nothing is too much trouble. Being newcomers, it was fantastic to also have Phil's expertise at hand when it came to artwork and production. A top class service. Cheers Phil.  
Lynne O'Malley - Yan Tan Tether
  Looking Through the Devil's Eyes - Sleepy Jake Segrave  
Ian Hill - Don't Count your Chickens     Mic and Susie Darling, with Mike Harding - Soon will be too Late  
Kath Reade - Where the good Hearts Dwell. 'Phil recorded, engineered, produced, and played multi instruments on my well reviewed 2015 CD 'Where the Good Hearts Dwell'. His technical and musical skills are second to none. Phil is brilliant to work with, always respecting the way the artist wants to sound, but if invited, he orchestrates creative arrangements, and conjures up contributions from a wealth of talented musicians and singers he seems to have at his fingertips. All this is done with a professional, but caring and friendly attitude which makes it easy and enjoyable to work with him. (All this and he makes an excellent sandwich!) A talented and lovely man!' - Kath Reade.   Pete Ivatts - Autumn Evening 'Phil firstly made me believe that my songs were worth recording and then made the whole recording process so relaxed and friendly that I felt there was no pressure and I could take as much time as I needed. The result was that it was much quicker and easier than I'd thought possible. Phil also involved me in the design of the whole thing and made sure I was happy with every aspect of the process. Can't thank him or recommend him highly enough.' - Pete Ivatts
  Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer - Paper of Pins
Recorded at WetFootMusic and Wild Goose Studios MIXED and MASTERED by Limbo
  Jim Eldon - Songs and Fiddle Tunes
Angie Shaw - Pieces of the Puzzle

"It has been my great pleasure to record two albums with Phil Snell, made eight years apart, and both have been wonderful experiences with excellent results. I cannot thank him enough for his endless patience with me coming over from York to record and sometimes having long sessions because of that.

The many instruments he played on ‘Pieces of the Puzzle’, his collaboration in making and producing the overall sound and flavour of the album, and the ideas he brought to some of the harmony vocal parts added enormously to the songs and made them grow into things of beauty.

I agree wholeheartedly with all the many sentiments about Phil and Limbo Studio listed here and can only add that his relaxed easy approach, knowing how to work with and help an artist to create something really special and generously adding his own ideas when needed have brought a wonderful quality to this album and I consider myself very lucky to have made it with such a special producer and a wonderfully kind and talented person. " - Angie Shaw

  Jack Blackman - Nearly Man Recorded at Tuery Records - MIXED and MASTERED by Limbo  
the Twangles - Twangology
  C J Smith - Shoreline Gold  
Steamtown - Waiting at the Station
  Yan Tan Tether - Down in Yon Forest  
Gerry Cooper - On my way down home
  Leather'o - 6 "We decided to try working with Phil as he knows the kind of all-acoustic music we play and he told us he had a lot of very expensive microphones! Phil created a very relaxed and welcoming environment that made it easy for us to do our best work. He managed to close mic five of us (plus percussion in the next room) in a small space so we were able to give a genuine live performance while Phil produced a crystal-clear sound with great separation. He knows his equipment inside out. Phil was very easy to work with on the final mixes and delivered some brilliant final polish. He also helped us format the artwork (including the lovely lino cut by Alexis Snell) and get the CD manufactured" - Bob Ward, Leather'O  
Jake Seagrave - Poor Ugly Happy
  Jack Blackman - Too South for Heaven produced by Joe Collier and Jack Blackman - Mastered and artwork layout by Limbo  
Mic and Susie Darling - The road is Home
Recorded by Brian Bedford (Birdsedge) - new artwork: Limbo   Phil Snell - Black Dog  
Yan Tan Tether - All on the Salt Sea
  Phil Snell - Home Again  
Scott Wainwright - Sentimental Debris
  Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer - Twelve Months and a Day Recorded at WetFootMusic MIXED and MASTERED by Limbo
Pete Ivatts- Blue Dress
  Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer - Sleep Deprivation Recorded at WetFootMusic MIXED and MASTERED by Limbo
Sleepy Jake Seagrave - Sleepy Jake
  Phil Snell - Miscellany
Scott Wainwright - Indoor Fireworks
A remaster and audio restoration from a cassette   Lisa Marie Glover - Push on Through Recorded Mixed and Mastered
Scott Wainwright - Collapsed Ideals
Recorded Mixed and Mastered   Hector Gilchrist - ...with love Recorded by Jonny Dyer, mixed and mastered by Phil at Limbo Studio
Jim Eldon and Mossy Christian - Fiddle Duets
Recorded Mixed and Mastered   Tin Mandolin Man Electronica and real instruments.. only available at Bandcamp
Steamtown - Bad Habits
Recorded Mixed and Mastered   Rory McLeod 3 track EP Recorded, Mixed and Mastered
Jim Eldon - Golden Arrows
re-Mastered + new artwork layout   Jim Eldon - Sharpshooters Mastered from cassette recording
Phil Snell - Blackest Crow
Recorded Mixed and Mastered available on bandcamp   Spruce Larks - Out of the Nest Recorded in Nova Scotia, Mixed and Mastered here.. available on bandcamp
Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom - Live Sampler
Recorded Mixed and Mastered   Pete Ivatts - Songs of Love and Life Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell
Bass and Tailor - Blue Water
Recorded by Jonny Dyer, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell   Rory MacLeod - Tow Lines Some tracks Recorded and Mixed by Phil Snell  
Satnam Galsian - Reminiscences
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell   Satnam Galsian - Fragmented Truths Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell  
Jake Seagrave - Rubbish
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell   Trash Panda - Fine and Dandy Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Snell