FIVE MUSIC STUDIO DUBAI

A Fusion of Energy, Aesthetics, and Creativity.

 

FIVE Music Studio Acoustics – In 2023 we proudly completed a prestigious #REFERENCEacoustics project in the pulsating heart of Dubai’s vibrant music scene. A state-of-the-art music recording- and mastering-studio was meticulously designed and executed to meet our client’s visionary requirements, wishes, and expectations at the famous FIVE Palm Jumeirah. The studio’s location is in close proximity to THE PENTHOUSE, Middle East’s No.1 nightclub as per DJ Mag. The club hosts cosmopolite clubbers and music enthusiasts from all around the world.

Celebrity guests include Alle Farben, Franky Wah, Hugel, NLE Choppa, Omer Adam, Robin Schulz, Stefan X Aloki and Trey Songz. It is therefore no coincidence that the renown, premium main-monitor “Barefoot Masterstack 12” is the same system we’ve used in one of our other #REFERENCEacoustics project – the CUPRA Sound Labs in Frankfurt. It also underlines FIVE’s aspiration of operating the most state-of-the-art studio in the Arab world.

 

Our studio is highly appreciated and sought-after by Warner Music’s and SDM’s international community. mbakustik GmbH’s contribution was material to the design, construction and success of the FIVE Music Studio.

James Dixon I FIVE Music Studio Dubai

 

FIVE Music Studio I Dubai

 

A SPACE THAT RESONATES WITH OUR CLIENT’S BRAND DNA

 

Creating an interconnected space that seamlessly integrates the control room, vocal booth, and lounge was a challenge that required innovative solutions. By employing double soundproof glass doors, we achieved incredible soundproofing while allowing each section to feel connected as part of one shared experience.

The studio is a space where artists can fully immerse themselves in the creative process without any hindrance. When it comes to professional recording studios, FIVE Music Studio sets itself apart with its impressive gear and unique selling points. The studio boasts top-of-the-line equipment. This includes the Barefoot Speakers Masterstack 12, Telefunken U47 Mic, Hermann Miller Aeron Chairs, and a near-field set-up featuring a pair of Neuman KH310 and Neuman KH750. These tools ensure that artists have everything they need to create their best work.

 

CEILING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN A STUDIO PROJECT

 

If a studio planner gets the great opportunity to plan a studio on the roof the phrase “the sky is the limit” takes on a special meaning. This is mainly because ceiling height limitations, which are commonly a major problem in many studio projects, simply do not exist. There was a roof-pool at the location of the newly planned studio. Therefore, it quickly became clear that static restrictions were not to be expected either. What a favourable situation to start a sophisticated studio project!

 

I can personally say that artists who have experienced the studio’s sound quality, noted the marked improvement the additional height provides, emphasising the importance of architectural choices in creating an optimal recording environment.

Aloki Batra I CEO – FIVE Hospitality

 

A large control room with lots of space (base area 52m², volume 170m³) for producers, artists and guests could be created. The side panels are angled at the front to reduce lateral own-modes and improve visibility into the vocal booth. We had the rare luxury of setting the ceiling height to the acoustic optimum using simulations based on the Boundary Elements Method (BEM). The calculations resulted in an optimal room height of 3m at the front wall, which increases to 4m at the rear wall. The neighbouring vocal booth of 6m² has an equally impressive ceiling height of 3,5m.

 

BEM – Boundary Elements Methode I Ceiling Height Comparison Results

 

BEM – Boundary Elements Methode I Modal Measurement

 

OVERCOMING ACOUSTICAL CHALLENGES AS TOP-PRIORITY FOR FIVE MUSIC STUDIO ACOUSTICS

 

Given the studio’s very close proximity to The Penthouse, Middle East’s No.1 nightclub (DJ Mag), we implemented ingenious acoustical solutions to combat the structure-born noise emanating from the venue just 10m away. Based on non-existing relevant floor-load restrictions, a specialised solid concrete outer-shell and a springy, lighter drywall inner-shell could be implemented. As a result, the FIVE Music Studio Acoustics’ is able to successfully mitigate vibrations and external disturbances.

 

Between the lounge and control-room, and control-room and vocal-booth, double-door systems made of highly insulating glazed soundproof doors were installed. Therefore, each area could be perfectly closed and decoupled. Also, thanks to the professional installation managed by local construction companies, we were able to ensure a trouble-free studio operation at all times.

 

Designing, building and bringing the FIVE Music Studio Acoustics to life is an unique experience for mbakustik GmbH. Every single team-member was challenged to fulfil the needs of our visionary customer, which challenged us to reach new levels in design, manufacturing and installation. I am proud to say we achieved a highly professional level in studio-acoustics and design, which certainly marks a “state-of-the-art” music studio and stands out from the ordinary.

Markus Bertram I mbakustik GmbH Owner and CEO 

 

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO FOSTER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

 

From a practical point of view running a construction site in the Arab world posed special challenges to us. Not only from a language and cultural point of view, but also from a communications-management aspect with many stakeholders and responsibilities involved. We had to find a careful approach to sensibly communicate and collaborate between our client, their architects, interior-designers, specialist-engineers, suppliers, builders and many more.

 

Despite language barriers and time constraints, mbakustik GmbH demonstrated remarkable cooperation with numerous third parties, including interior designers, MEP/HVAC experts, contractors, cabling consultants, and music-studio engineers. We were able to align everyone’s efforts to achieve the desired outcome.

Aloki Batra I CEO – FIVE Hospitality

 

This exceptional teamwork ensured that construction progressed smoothly and acoustic treatment installation was completed within a remarkable 14 days! The most careful and detailed planning is pointless if it cannot be implemented accordingly. Our multiple thorough site visits, inspections, regular Zoom-meetings and flexible communication, before and during the various construction phases, proved crucial in fine-tuning the roofing. It ensured that the studio surpassed our client’s expectations.

 

DEFEAT THE HEAT – A STUDIO-GRADE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE DESSERT

 

Temperature control was another vital aspect to consider, especially during the scorching Middle East summers with temperatures well over 40°C. Our client wanted to eliminate any possible disturbance caused by air conditioning systems. Switching off and/or shock-ventilation are not suitable ventilation concepts in Dubai. Luckily, the local planners and contractors in this area have the relevant experience and expertise. So, to achieve a studio-grade ventilation system in these conditions, we strategically maximised the surface area for air-conditioning below the panels and incorporated special AC grills. The remarkable result for the FIVE Music Studio Acoustics is a recording- and mastering-space where the sound of the air-conditioning is virtually imperceptible, even when set to a cool 18 degrees Celsius.

 

After completion of the outer and inner shell we ensured that the actual own-modes on-site corresponded to our forecast. We didn’t want to leave anything to chance with the FIVE Music Studio Acoustics project.

 

BEM – Boundary Elements Methode I Model FIVE Music Studio

 

CAD Design I FIVE Music Studio Design 1_10 Top View 3D

 

After we confirmed all theoretical values ​​were impressively matched, we started the production of all interior elements for the FIVE Music Studio Acoustics in our own workshop in Osnabrück, Germany. Wall and ceiling modules were made to measure, carefully protected and packed in containers and subsequently shipped to Dubai. While the hotel was fully operational, the on-site assembly was carried out by local craftsmen in two shifts and supervised by three employees from mbakustik GmbH.

 

COLLABORATION ENDORSEMENT WITH RENOWNED BRANDS

 

By leveraging our extensive network, we enabled our client to collaborate with renowned brands such as Barefoot^®, Sessiondesk^®, and Soundproof^® Windows – just to name a few. Large-volume bass absorbers ensure that the room resonances in the control room are dampened to the maximum and that a dry, precise bass sound can be produced. Fortunately, the Barefoot Masterstack has sufficient reserves in the bass range to generate powerful pressure even under almost free field conditions. The exhaust and supply-air in the room is routed within the bass traps and ventilates the control room noiselessly via large-format openings in the base area.

 

The ceiling panel rising towards the rear avoids direct reflections and dampens modes with vertical components. And, like the bass traps in the wall area, incorporates flush-mounted LED profiles. In close coordination with the client and their interior design, all fabric-covered surfaces were covered with a specialist dark blue wool fabric, complemented by thin pink stitching. Those were manufactured at our in-house workshop and managed with much dedication and impressive precision. Furthermore, embedded 1D and 2D diffusers in the rear ensure that the control room has a short but natural diffuse sound field. After all, a creative room should be fun and not sound like a laboratory.

 

The result is a modern “state-of-the-art” production studio that is probably very unique in the Arab world. Moreover, in terms of design and studio-quality, it beautifully meets the high standards of a luxury-hotel in Dubai.

 

FIVE MUSIC STUDIO ACOUSTICS – CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND RESULTS

 

#1 STRUCTURE-BORN NOISE

CHALLENGE

Structure-born noise from the adjacent night-club less than 10 meters away.

SOLUTION

We used specialised Rugupol^® material, special concrete, and layers of mineral wool. We also visited the venue closer to its open date to make crucial, final acoustic suggestions to the roofing.

RESULT

The studio sounds better than expected during club operations. Studio-artists, who have used the studio, have no issue with the very minor vibration that can be heard between 1am-4am. They are inspired by the energy taking place two doors away.

 

#2 AESTHETICS

CHALLENGE

No compromise on aesthetics.

SOLUTION

We worked closely with our client’s interior-designers Ace of Space. We achieved a special blue fabric with thin pink stitching and rounded tubular columns.

RESULT

Artists are blown away by the one-of-a-kind look of the lighting rig and customised blue wall panels.

 

#3 AIR-CONDITIONING

CHALLENGE

Intense air-conditioning noise during Middle East’s hot summer heat.

SOLUTION

We maximised the surface area for air-conditioning across the bottom below panels. We also used special AC grills.

RESULT

No noticeable sound of air-conditioning at all – even at 18* Celsius.

 

#4 ROOM-INTERCONNECTIVITY

CHALLENGE

Make the control room, vocal booth, and lounge feel interconnected with as little hindrance as possible.

SOLUTION

We connected each section with double Soundproof^® Windows.

RESULT

Highly effective soundproofing makes all three studio-rooms feel connected as one shared experience.

 

#5 CEILING HEIGHT

CHALLENGE

Define ideal ceiling height for a space with a previously empty chasm.

SOLUTION

We took full advantage of the no-height-restriction situation. We built a room with a ceiling-height of 3m in the front and 4m in the back.

RESULT

Vertical own-modes practically do not exist and artists comment on the acoustical improvement the additional height provides.

 

#6 SPECIALITY EQUIPMENT SOURCING

CHALLENGE

Sourcing specialist equipment was a concern for the client. The number of suppliers was aimed to be kept to a minimum.

SOLUTION

We enabled our client to work with Barefoot^®, Sessiondesk^®, and Soundproof^® Windows.

RESULT

Significantly fewer organisational complications, as these essential studio items went through us.

 

CONSTRUCTION IMAGES

 

STUDIO IMAGES

 

ATMOSPHERE IMAGES