Current Issue : July-August 2024
Read/Download

OR

Flipbook

OR

To The FREE Digital Magazine And Newsletters

Articles July-August 2024

Discover the Best Studio Microphones of 2024 New!

Unlock the full potential of your recordings with the latest studio microphones. This feature highlights exceptional products from leading brands that deliver unparalleled sound quality and durability. Explore the dynamic and condenser options redefining the pro audio market. read more

Upgrade Your Sound: 6 Reasons to Switch to Digital Wireless Microphones New!

From minimising interference to ensuring crystal-clear performance, find out why making the switch from Analogue to Digital can enhance your live shows. Elevate your audio and discover how digital systems offer superior sound quality, intelligent signal management, and hassle-free setup. read more

Phoenix Networks Makes International Debut at Kathmandu Music Festival 2024 New!

Phoenix Networks, in collaboration with Meyer Sound Panther and Leopard systems, celebrates a major milestone with its first international gig at the Kathmandu Music Festival 2024, enhances the vibrant cultural exchange in Nepal. Join us as we explore this landmark achievement and the future of Phoenix Networks on the world stage. read more

Leksa Lighting: Pioneering Professional Lighting Solutions New!

Leksa Lighting Technologies is revolutionizing the professional lighting industry in India with its cutting-edge LED solutions. Ronald Silva D'Souza delves deeper into how the brand is performing in the lighting market and its commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative read more

Shaping the Future of Sound: Meet the IRAA 2024 Jury Panel New!

As the Indian Recording Arts Academy Awards (IRAA) supported by GENELEC, the IRAA Awards continue to recognize outstanding achievements in music production and engineering. This year's esteemed jury panel continue to recognize outstanding achievements in music production and engineering read more

Audio Visual Magic at Lollapalooza India 2024 New!

Lollapalooza India's 2024 edition showcased an eclectic mix of global and local music across four stages. This article highlights the stellar audio-visual setups by Audio Dimensionz on Perry's Stage and ElectroCraft on the Nexa Stage, delivering a truly immersive experience. read more

Panel Discussion on Manufactured Lighting in India New!

A panel of industry experts, moderated by Viraf Pocha, discussed the potential and challenges of advancing 'Make in India' for stage lighting technology with insights from leaders like Ronald Silvan D'Souza, Manoj Lobo, Koy Neminathan, and Arvind Singh. read more

Sound Matters: Taking Noise Off The Menu New!

Hewshott, one of the leading technology, acoustics, and theatre consultants in the world, delivered exceptional spatial experiences at Otra, Kala Ghoda. read more

11 Questions with Christine Schyvinck New!

CEO of Shure, reflects on her 35-year journey with the company and discusses her vision for the audio technology giant. read more

Canara Lighting Completes Landmark Installation at India International Convention & Exhibition Centre (IICC), Yashobhoomi New!

Canara Lighting successfully completed a significant project at the India International Convention & Exhibition Centre (IICC), Yashobhoomi, in Dwarka, New Delhi. read more

Celebrating 22 Years of Innovation and Industry Leadership in India's Live Events Sector New!

The 22nd edition of PALM Expo, held from May 30 to June 1, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, saw a record-breaking 25,510 unique visitors and was a massive success. Spanning 30,000 sqm, the expo showcased the latest in live events, media, and entertainment technology, with electrifying performances and cutting-edge industry insights. read more


Show More

CORPORATE FEATURE - AUDIO & MUSIC PRODUCTION



Mondosonic Studios' Varun Krrishna on Preferring Analog-Over-Digital Setup

(And Why He's Still Building a Spatial Studio)


Varun Krrishna is not just a mixing engineer and music producer out of profession, but also out of passion. With an ardent love for music, Varun Krrishna is also the founder and owner of Mondosonic Studios in Kerala, a space he has built for music to breathe free. So, it isn't a surprise that the man of music is always in a quest to stay abreast with the latest trends in the world of acoustics, and knows just how big the spatial audio boom is. To encapsulate the essence of spatial sound, Varun Krrishna is upgrading Mondosonic Studios with an extension for spatial audio. In this article, Varun Krrishna talks about why he prefers an analog setup over a digital one, and why, even then, a spatial studio upgrade, for him, is the mandate of the moment.


Mondosonic Studios in Kerala, India with the ASP8024 Heritage Edition console at its heart


Producer, mix/master engineer and owner of Mondosonic Studios, Varun Krrishna is on a constant mission to break records and set new benchmarks in the world of music. To accomplish this in a bigger, better, and faster manner, Varun is currently considering upgrading Mondosonic Studios with Spatial Audio.

Regarding the newest development undertaken at Mondosonic Studios, he shares, "I am already working on the pre-plans for a Spatial Audio mixing setup. I don't want to rework the existing space, because that is designed specifically for a stereo production. I am not a huge fan of overly clinical-sounding and dry room treatments. I need the room to be on a balance of dry and live conditions."

Talking about his current studio, he explains, "What I care about predominantly is the low-end response of the room. 50% of my overall investment of my control room has been put into controlling the sub-low frequencies. To me, bass frequencies are the soul of the music, and it's the most difficult frequency to control inside a room, so I have ensured I have the best bass response in my room. My studio is almost 8,500 cubic feet, and hence, I have a great amount of headroom to play around with most of the frequencies without much trouble."


Varun Krrishna prefers a hybrid way of producing music


Analog or Digital: Varun Krrishna Shares His Pick

For Mondosonic Studios, Varun Krrishna leans slightly towards analog gear than digital plugins. Even then, to him, it is all about treading that fine line of balance between the old-school and nouveau: But, what role does an analog setup play in an era where digital reigns supreme? Responding to the scepticism surrounding the viability of a huge, traditional studio, Krrishna says, "Many of my industry peers ask me why I need such a traditional, analog setup, especially in this digital age. I say, it's all subjective, and I am sure you can get great results in any of these mediums. My studio is designed to withstand any future modifications."

He adds, "At the end of the day, I don't think that digital plugins are inferior to analog, particularly when technology is at its peak. But, for my specific workflow, I always prefer analog and I am quite happy with the results. None of my analog gear has been faulty for at least the last six years, except for some tube swaps, which is easy to work on. So for me, I like the predictable nature of it! That being said, I have a couple of plugins that always stay in DAW, and I like the transparent nature of plugins. With a very minimal set of plugins and a few outboard analog gears, I have limited myself to old-school techniques that create a balanced environment for more creativity. Analog and digital. The best of both worlds. That's what I prefer. A hybrid way of producing music."

Even as he prioritizes analog over digital whenever he can, Varun Krrishna plans on building a spatial audio setup. Clarifying his reason for considering a development of an immersive studio, he says, "Regarding immersive audio in music, the industry is still unsure how this will evolve the hearing pattern of the listeners. To be frank, I'm still not convinced by the immersive music heard on a pair of headphones. Apart from a few EDM tracks specifically designed for immersive perspective, not many songs have the soul of stereo or mono music. The coherence of a stereo mix is not there in an immersive mix. I can understand the requirement of immersive audio for a specifically designed song, and simply placing the instruments all over the speakers randomly just for the sake of spatial audio does not make it feel good, but distracts the overall behaviour of the music. I am a huge fan of Dolby Atmos on movies. The movie needs such spatial aspects, especially the sound design works. For music, the spatial audio feels like a gimmick, at least for now. Even though it is okay to be heard on a physical speaker configuration, it doesn't feel great to be heard on a binaural augmented headphones."

So, what pushes Krrishna in the direction of building a spatial setup for music production? He responds, "If one client has an immersive release, the others are forced to follow the trend. I have been talking to many clients on this topic, and as of now, none of those clients are really fond of spatial songs, but wish to mix them in that format. It's the nature of this industry, whether we like it or not, we have to follow suit. That's why I am now thinking more about my studio extensions for spatial audio. Sometimes, even though we disagree with what is happening, we should be prepared and follow the trend, and hence I have already started designing a room especially for immersive audio."


According to Mondosonic Studios' owner, Varun Krrishna, the desk's features, routing and workflows are "nothing short of spectacular"


On The Right Equipment For The Perfect Immersive Setup

Talking about the equipment that will be housed within his immersive setup, Varun Krrishna shares, "I have still not decided. But for spatial audio, considering a 7.1.4 setup, I have to make sure each speaker's response is well-balanced inside the room. Even though I am more into lively rooms when it comes to surround sound speaker setups, too much liveliness inside the room might interfere with the spatial localisations of the speakers. I am designing the spatial room with my room principles, but I will make sure that it meets all the requirements of a spatial audio mixing environment."

In his current studio's stereo setup, Krrishna uses a wide gamut of equipment, "In my stereo room, I am using Genelec 1238 DF along with its 7380 subwoofer. I have tried more than 12 monitor speakers from different companies before settling on Genelec. In my space, none of the other speakers were able to fill in the space with such energy, and the translation was extremely good. I am also using a Neumann KH 310 as a complimentary monitoring, and I love them too. Its midrange detailing is unique, and I use it a lot to shape up the vocals. Even though it is underpowered for my studio area, it feels and sounds amazing. When your music sounds good on them, it sounds good everywhere."

The Heart of Mondosonic Studios: Varun Krrishna Talks About The Audient ASP9024-HE Console

Krrishna's attention to detail stretches to visual as well as aural aesthetics. Mondosonic Studios is being designed in a way that the outboard furniture in his studio now matches the wood of the Audient ASP8024-HE console, the hero equipment, the centrepiece of his studios, the channel through which his labour of love comes to fruition. "When I get any improvements in the room, it is designed in a way that compliments my console. Ever since Audient ASP8024-HE reached my mixing room, it adds a powerful workflow and looks amazing. Everything looks more integrated and appealing," Krrishna comments.

Describing his Audient desk's features, routing and workflows as "nothing short of spectacular," Krrishna continues to appreciate his ASP8024-HE. "Its mixbus amplifiers are astonishing and I like its unique midrange crunch whenever the mix bus is driven hard and it particularly suits the rock/country genres. I use the on-board EQ a lot during the recording phase itself and I have been very confident with it while confirming the sound I need, even before the final mix."

Varun Krrishna continues his praise for the famed Audient console, along the brand's timely and efficient customer support, "I always have a lot of parallel processing and routings going on, right from the start of the mix, and it stays on my patch bay all the time. With the Audient ASP8024-HE, the routing options are endless. Apart from that, Audient's customer support has always been great and it's important, especially when you are investing a fortune on a gear. What I have in my studio is what I have always dreamt of. Let it be gear, workflow, or design - I like it to be hybrid, always. Audient offers just that."

Most recently, Varun produced Indian thrash metal band, Amorphia's third studio album, Lethal Dose which was very well received, as well as a regional song named Vaazhvin Neeve by the artist Remin Jose, released on his in-house record label. "I'm currently producing a song composed by my brother Pranav Das and I'm very excited about it," he adds. There are at least another six songs in the queue for 2023 already, so he is expecting to be busy.

Download Article in PDF


Current Issue : July-August 2024
Read/Download

OR

Flipbook

OR

To The FREE Digital Magazine And Newsletters

Archives

Palm Expo Magazine July-August 2024 Palm Expo Magazine July-August 2024
Palm Expo Magazine May June 2024 Palm Expo Magazine May June 2024
Palm Expo Magazine Mar Apr 2024 Palm Expo Magazine Mar Apr 2024
Palm Expo Magazine Jan Feb 2024 Palm Expo Magazine Jan Feb 2024
X