Avid Technology > Case Studies > Spotify Studios Enhances Sound Quality with Pro Tools | MTRX

Spotify Studios Enhances Sound Quality with Pro Tools | MTRX

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Gateways
Sensors - Acoustic Sensors

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery

Use Cases

Personnel Tracking & Monitoring
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

Spotify Studios is a part of Spotify Technology, the parent company of Spotify, a music streaming service that was introduced in 2008. The service, which started as a start-up in Sweden, revolutionized the music industry by providing DRM-protected content from both labels and artists. Today, Spotify boasts more than 100 million subscribers and is available in 65 regions. Spotify Studios, located in New York City, records a weekly series called Spotify Singles, featuring original and cover songs from some of the world's most loved artists. The studio is led by William Garrett, the chief engineer, who has a rich background in music production and engineering.

The Challenge

Spotify Studios, a part of Spotify Technology, was faced with the challenge of producing high-quality, sonically crisp, and engaging content in a fast-paced studio environment. The studio records a weekly series called Spotify Singles, featuring original and cover songs from globally renowned artists. The challenge was to capture the musical magic in a way that would resonate with Spotify's 100 million subscribers across 65 regions. The studio needed a solution that would not only provide the highest standard in studio-quality sound but also offer flexible routing and monitor control. The existing non-HD system was limited in terms of fidelity and track count, which was a significant hindrance to the studio's workflow.

The Solution

To overcome these challenges, Spotify Studios decided to leverage Pro Tools | HDX and Pro Tools | MTRX. These tools were chosen for their cutting-edge technology, familiarity, and reliability. The Pro Tools | MTRX replaced the existing non-HD system, significantly improving the sound clarity, enhancing stereo imaging and width, and boosting the overall recording quality. The studio also adopted a hybrid setup, combining the best of the digital domain with outboard gear as hardware inserts. This setup was facilitated by MTRX, which made the process easy and efficient. As the studio continues to expand, it plans to embrace the vast routing options provided by MTRX, linking studios together, and connecting with producers and engineers operating in separate DAWs.

Operational Impact

The integration of Pro Tools | HDX and Pro Tools | MTRX into Spotify Studios' workflow has resulted in numerous operational benefits. The studio has noticed great sonics and a significant improvement in the clarity of the sound, which has boosted the overall recording quality. The enhanced stereo imaging and width have also contributed to the production of high-quality, sonically crisp content. The studio now operates in a hybrid setup, utilizing the best of the digital domain and outboard gear as hardware inserts. This setup, facilitated by MTRX, has made the recording process easy and efficient. The studio team, consisting of an Executive Producer, an Artist Projects Lead, a Creative Producer, a Studio Coordinator, and Chief Recording Engineer, has been able to work seamlessly with the new tools, contributing to the rapid-fire high-level creativity at Spotify Studios.

Quantitative Benefit

Since the first recording in July 2016, the Spotify Singles playlist has garnered over 1 billion streams.
The studio records two to three sessions a week, indicating a high level of productivity and efficiency.
The use of Pro Tools | MTRX has resulted in a significant improvement in sound clarity and stereo imaging.