Mixing: A Hard Day's Night
Monday 20 April 1964 | A Hard Day's Night, Studio
On 20 April 1964, mono and stereo mixes were created for The Beatles' song A Hard Day's Night at EMI Studios, Abbey Road in London.
The song itself had been recorded just four days earlier, on 16 April 1964. This session marked the final stage of its production prior to release and inclusion on the soundtrack of The Beatles' debut film.
The mixing session took place in Studio Two's control room and lasted from approximately 2.00pm to 3.15pm. It was overseen by producer George Martin, with engineer Norman Smith, and was completed without the presence of The Beatles.
Once completed, the master tapes were handed over to representatives of United Artists, the company responsible for the A Hard Day's Night film and its accompanying US soundtrack album. The song would become the final recording completed for the soundtrack project.
Notably, while this session was taking place at Abbey Road, Paul McCartney was across town in Shepherd's Bush filming his ill-fated solo scene for the same film β a sequence that would be cut by Richard Lester and whose footage was later destroyed.
ποΈ Session Details
- Song: A Hard Day's Night
- Date: 20 April 1964
- Studio: EMI Studios, Abbey Road (Studio Two control room)
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
- Mix Type: Mono and Stereo mixes
- Duration: 2.00pm β 3.15pm
π Production Context
This mixing session finalised one of The Beatles' most iconic recordings, which would go on to serve as the title track for both the film and its soundtrack release.
The track also represented the closing piece of the album's production schedule, with no further recording required after this point.
Location Map
FAQ
Were The Beatles present for the mixing?
No, the mixes were completed by George Martin and Norman Smith without The Beatles present.
Was this the final recording for the film soundtrack?
Yes, it was the last track completed for the A Hard Day's Night soundtrack.
What happened to the tapes after mixing?
They were handed over to United Artists for use in the film and US soundtrack release.
How long did the session last?
Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, from 2.00pm to 3.15pm.
More from 20 April in Beatles History
β 20 April in Beatles History β Full Timeline
β Paul McCartney's Lost A Hard Day's Night Scene β 20 April 1964
β The Beatles Filming Help! at Twickenham β 20 April 1965
β And Your Bird Can Sing & Taxman Recording Session β 20 April 1966
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