PlantaSónica2 – Zen completes huge overhaul at Vigo studio

Audient's automated Zen console was chosen as part of a highly specified equipment list for the world class PlantaSónica2 Recording Studio after its complete overhaul earlier this year. Now owned by the recently formed Planta Sónica S.L. company, and managed by 29-year-old producer Pancho Suarez (recently nominated for best record producer in Galicia), the studio has been totally transformed following the modernisation.

“It’s great to see the studio have a new lease of life, not least because we often take customers to the studio for equipment demonstrations,” says Sergio Castro of Audient distributor, Reflexion Arts. Originally designed by British acoustician Philip Newell and built by Reflexion Arts in 1997, the studio has attracted attention from far and wide. “Customers come from all over Europe to see and listen to what could be achieved in properly treated rooms,” enthuses Castro.

The now stunning studio has been upgraded with brand new equipment including the Audient Zen with a comprehensive Signex patchbay and a Black Series BlackRack with five EQs and 5 Compressors.

A compact, classic recording and mixing console, Audient's Zen combines analogue mixing technology with flexible DAW integration, seamlessly blending the two formats, making the ideal mixing desk for the modern studio environment.

Complementing the Audient hardware are converters by Lynx, Apogee and Digidesign, alongside a comprehensive collection of excellent quality mics including Neumann, Sanken, Violet-Designs, AKG, Sennheiser, Shure and many more. New components have been used in the Reflexion Arts monitor systems and superior quality audio and power cabling have been fitted. In addition, new air conditioning and ventilation systems have been installed, new fabric mounted on every wall and sleek AKA Design furniture completes the look.

“It's a great space again – even better than before,” says Castro, when asked about the upgrade. “There's direct daylight streaming into all three of the rehearsal rooms, offices and bar area. The control room is now fantastically equipped, too – it's going to make a great centre to bring customers again,” he laughs.