Its location in one of the largest football stadia in the world makes São Paulo’s AudioArena unique among high-end, commercial recording studios.

Its location in the Estádio do Morumbi(Morumbi Stadium) affords it a view of the playing field, while its design – be renowned studio designer Carlos Duttweller of ProStudios Design – will accommodate the major recording sessions and corporate events. According to Luiz Fernando Vieira, co-owner of AudioArena with Daniel Chalfon, the inspiration behind AudioArena is an attempt to bring together two of our greatest passions – music and football.

Only recently opened, the facility has already attracted the attention of some of Brazil’s top artists and broadcasters: ‘We had just opened the doors when we were chosen to record the soundtrack for the latest drama series on TV Globo, Dual Identity, with the Brazillian metal band Sepultura,’ says Vieira. ‘Both the band and TV Globo were thrilled with the results.’

At the centre of the audio set-up is a Solid State Logic AWS hybrid mixing console/controller, supplied by Music Company. ‘The SSL AWS 948 is a key part of this story’s beginning,’ Vieira explains. ‘Whether the studio sessions are for an international release, to record a live concert in the stadium or to supply the audio backbone for a corporate event, we know the AWS will deliver.’

While AudioArena boasts an enviable outboard gear, it is the AWS 948 that brings it all together: ‘We chose AWS for two reasons: the first is the absolute quality of SSL products,’ he says. ‘The level of sound quality that SSL reaches really makes a difference in the final mix of any studio. The second was an enlightening experience we previously had with an SSL Matrix console/controller combined with SSL’s XLogic SuperAnalogue X-Racks. We were very happy with the resulting recordings, so moving into the more integrated AWS platform made sense for AudioArena.’

With the ambition of becoming one of the best recording studios in Brazil, the AWS presents the power and flexibility for AudioArena to handle any production situation. ‘We can say that the AWS easily assumed that vital centre position in AudioArena’s equipment universe,’ Vieira relates. ‘It is the absolute heart of our studio/venue. We worked with Carlos Duttweller to create the very highest level acoustics and integrate the very best support electronics.’