Headstart Records

Overview

Headstart Records is a classical music production company based in Vienna, Austria, created by producers and engineers Benedikt David and Ina Nikolow.

Benedikt has always been a pianist, playing classical music and jazz, while Ina has gained significant experience as a violinist in various ensembles and orchestras. Both pursued the Tonmeister program at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and after graduating, continued refining their craft at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity in Canada.

Drawing on their shared background in classical performance and engineering, the two set out to create a dedicated space tailored to their workflow. Located within a residential apartment, Headstart Records’ control room required specialized acoustic treatment to provide an optimal environment for the editing, mixing and mastering of their recordings.

Benedikt was already aware of WSDG from his time working as a recording and editing engineer at Sunshine Mastering in Vienna, which was designed and acoustically treated by WSDG and was the company’s first studio project in the city. More recently, WSDG was responsible for the acoustic treatment of Future Art Lab, a new large-scale studio facility at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna where Benedikt and Ina teach at the Tonmeister program. With this knowledge in mind, they contacted WSDG with a view to having their own control room at Headstart Records acoustically treated.

Program

The project focused on creating a control room that meets the special acoustic requirements of classical music production. With classical recordings typically requiring multiple days of post-production for every day of recording, the studio needed an acoustically precise environment that could reveal the most subtle nuances of musical performance.

Besides frequency response and instrumental balance, important parameters for Benedikt and Ina’s work include the recording’s spatial evaluation and accurate stage placement. As a result, key objectives included controlling reverberation at the mixing position, creating a comfortable acoustic environment, integrating substantial hidden storage solutions, and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing, ergonomic and professional workspace.

Design

WSDG approached the project with a deep understanding of classical music production needs. The design process involved a floating secondary ceiling to reduce first order sound reflections, strategically placed tailored absorbers as well as wooden wall diffusers for acoustic optimization, clever storage solutions hidden behind walls and diffusers, and a clean, home-like aesthetic.

The studio features warm materials, predominantly wood, with diffusers that are both acoustically functional and visually appealing. Storage is seamlessly integrated, allowing the technical elements to fade into the background so the artistic work can take center stage.

The planning phase lasted approximately nine months, with the project completed in September 2024. The result is a control room that significantly enhances acoustic perception, with artists reporting they can now hear details that previously went unnoticed.

WSDG’s Dirk Noy served as Project Coordinator, while Gabriel Hauser and Collin Killenberger handled the acoustic engineering and planning. Vienna-based Mario Reithofer provided on-site technical support throughout the project.

Headstart Records exemplifies WSDG’s commitment to creating acoustic environments that not only meet technical specifications but also support artistic excellence. By understanding the specific needs of classical music production, the studio has been transformed into a space where precision meets creativity.