 American composer Michael Kamen , who had contributed to The Wall , oversaw the orchestral arrangements . He also stood in for absent keyboardist Richard Wright , co @-@ produced , and mediated between Waters and Gilmour . James Guthrie was employed as the studio engineer and co @-@ producer , while Mason 's drumming was supplemented by Ray Cooper , and when unable to perform the complex timing changes required of him , replaced on " Two Suns in the Sunset " by Andy Newmark . It was Mason who suggested the repeated reprises of " Maggie , what have we done " be rendered instrumental rather than sung . Raphael Ravenscroft was hired to play the saxophone . Recording took place in the latter half of 1982 across eight studios , including Gilmour 's home studio at Hookend Manor , and Waters ' Billiard Room Studios at East Sheen . The other venues were Mayfair Studios , Olympic Studios , Abbey Road Studios , Eel Pie Studios , Audio International and RAK Studios . 
