Project Description
Overview
For over seventeen years, Estudio 13 recorded diverse projects in their original Mexico City facility and, on location in major concert halls. This on-going success led to the need for a larger, more acoustically advanced recording space. Company Head Producer/Musical Director, José Francisco Aguilera, and Studio Operations/Project Manager, Eduardo Acosta agreed that expansion was critical. They contacted WSDG co-principal Sergio Molho, and began to search for a site for the seven-story ground-up building they envisioned.
Program
Project planning began in 2013, and by mid 2015 they had acquired the land, completed their plans, and moved into the construction phase. Today Estudio 13’s ground floor, the 562 sq. ft. ‘Piano Room’, features a prized Bösendorfer Imperial. Linked to the 159 sq. ft. Control Room A on the 2nd floor and to 3rd floor 150 sq. ft. Control Room B, the Piano Room is ideal for string sections or choral ensembles besides the obvious piano recording sessions. Control Room A features a 48-channel AWS 948 SSL Console, a 5.1 Monitoring system outfitted with Focal SM9 speakers, and a Sub 6 Focal Subwoofer. The 2nd floor is highlighted by a 350 sq. ft. Live Room, which extends, balcony-like over the Piano Room, and boasts a triple height ceiling, and many windows. WSDG signature acoustics were developed and fine-tuned by Partner/Acoustician Renato Cipriano. With two spacious Iso booths, Estudio 13 is ideal for flawless tracking. Designed primarily for stereo mixing and mastering, the 3rd floor Control Room B and Iso booth are also geared for voice-over and radio recording. To provide effortless communication between artists, producers and engineers, the entire complex was fully wired for video as well as audio connectivity.
Design
Partner/Art Director Silvia Molho, worked closely with the clients to develop a handsome, spacious, colorful complex trimmed in natural wood and varying hues of blue and purple. Estudio 13’s numerous windows provide natural sunlight, star and moon light. Extensive glass between Control Rooms, Iso and Live Rooms provide welcome live visual connectivity. A 3-story glass wall, slanted inward at the ground floor provides the building with additional acoustic isolation from exterior sources and, a distinctive architectural touch. Estudio 13 offers a collection of 100+ vintage and modern microphones, a deep pool of contemporary and classic analog peripherals and, a wide range of guitars and other instruments for clients use.
Links
Read Audio Media International Article