Downtown Dubai opens up with Genelec

A brand new recording facility in downtown Dubai has chosen a Genelec Smart Active Monitoring system at the heart of its studio setup.

Soul Sound Music Art Production is a passion project of Lebanese singer and songwriter Aziz Abdo, who turned to audio engineer Hosni Abu Zahra to help him create an optimum recording environment.

“I wanted to create a professional studio set-up in a space that will allow me to further my skills and talent – and take my musical career to the next level,” says Abdo. “Having a passion for both musical technique and powerful technology, I wanted to democratize the creative process – allowing anyone to have access to everything that they would need to create music.

“I designed the studio to avoid standing waves and resonances that can affect sound quality. I also ensured proper sound isolation and minimized unwanted reflections through the use of materials like diffusers, absorbers and bass traps.”

When it came to monitoring, Abu Zahra knew that Genelec would be the right option. The studio features a pair of 1234s as the main studio monitors complemented by a pair of 1032 nearfield models. Low frequencies are handled by a 7382 subwoofer, with a supplementary pair of 8030s employed as nearfield monitors at the secondary listening position for guests in a separate area away from the main mix position.

“Genelec monitors are known for their exceptional audio quality and accuracy,” says Abdo. “They deliver transparency and accuracy and have a wide frequency response. They are also reliable, with a fantastic build quality, and their performance can be adapted to the room with GLM software.”

Abu Zahra expands on the thought process behind the Genelec equipment: “Having both 1234s and 1032s in the studio provides several benefits. They provide excellent frequency response and balance, as well as transparency of the reproduced sounds when recording and mixing. The two solutions also provide different listening perspectives for artists and engineers, and I positioned the 1234s and 1032s in an optimal configuration to achieve accurate and balanced audio reproduction.” With Soul Sound now open for business, Abdo feels that the new facility has lived up to his initial dream. “We have created a state-of-the-art recording space – with hi-tech equipment that meets international standards – right in the heart of glamourous Downtown Dubai. I want this to be the go-to recording studio that allows young artists to experiment with their music.”