Building a Studio for Sony Music South Africa During a Global Lockdown

The Sony Music South Africa studio installation was one of the most unique and challenging projects we’ve had the privilege to undertake. Initiated just as COVID-19 restrictions came into effect, the project unfolded in a time of great uncertainty. Nevertheless, it became a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and our team’s commitment to quality, even under unusual circumstances.

A Compact, Efficient Design for Sony Music South Africa

The studio itself was designed as a streamlined, highly functional space featuring one live room and one control room. This configuration may be compact, but it is by no means limiting. On the contrary, the setup was carefully engineered to deliver maximum flexibility for music production, vocal tracking, and music video post-production work.

All audio lines from the live room are routed into a central Bantam patch bay. From this centralized hub, signals are directed to the audio interface and then into a Mac workstation. This layout not only simplifies session setup but also provides a clear and organized path for signal routing, reducing troubleshooting time and ensuring smooth transitions between different recording or mixing scenarios.

With a modern workflow in mind, the system was built to allow engineers to quickly switch between near-field and far-field monitor speakers. This feature is crucial for professionals who need to evaluate mixes in different listening environments and ensure translation across multiple playback systems.

Visual Integration for Music Video Production

Given that the space at Sony Music South Africa is also used for music video production and post-production tasks, special attention was paid to visual monitoring capabilities. An 80-inch screen was installed in the control room, serving as a high-definition display for reviewing music videos, syncing audio with visual content, and even hosting playback sessions with artists or production teams.

This screen elevates the room beyond the typical audio-only setup, making it a hybrid environment where music and visuals can come together seamlessly. Whether syncing a beat to a dance sequence or checking lip-sync accuracy, the large screen adds a powerful visual dimension to the studio’s functionality.

This forward-thinking feature underscores the studio’s role not only as a recording space, but as a multi-disciplinary creative hub. It also reflects Sony Music South Africa’s investment in tools that support the diverse needs of modern artists and producers.

A Studio That Reflects Resilience and Innovation

The successful completion of this studio marks an important milestone. It’s not just another installation—it’s a symbol of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. Working during a global pandemic brought unforeseen obstacles, but it also pushed us to innovate and adapt. The result is a studio that’s efficient, modern, and ready for any creative challenge.

Thanks to close collaboration with the team at Sony Music South Africa, we were able to bring their vision to life despite external limitations. Every detail, from the clean cable routing to the high-performance audio monitoring, was executed with care and precision. The final product is a space that fosters creativity, supports professional production workflows, and provides a comfortable, inspiring environment for artists and engineers alike.

Looking Ahead with Sony Music South Africa

As the music and entertainment industries continue to evolve, so too must the spaces that support them. This studio installation for Sony Music South Africa is designed not only for today’s demands but with an eye on the future. Whether it’s producing a chart-topping single or editing the visuals for a high-profile music video, this facility is equipped to handle it all.

We’re proud to have played a role in building a space that reflects both technical excellence and creative ambition. It’s a studio born in uncertain times—but built to last.