Sonasterio

Overview

In early 2015, Bruno Barros — a young musician and engineer completing his studies at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California — set out to create a destination recording studio in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His family commissioned renowned Brazilian architect João Diniz to design a luxury home overlooking the mountains of Minas Gerais.

From the outset, Barros understood the importance of integrating architectural and acoustic design from the earliest planning stages to ensure optimal studio performance. Keyboardist Henrique Portugal, from iconic Brazilian band Skank, recommended Belo Horizonte–based WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) partner and Director of Design — as well as Latin Grammy Award–winning producer and engineer — Renato Cipriano. With that introduction, the project began to take shape.

Program

João Diniz designed an elegant 8,000 sq. ft. concrete-and-glass residence featuring three guest bedrooms, five-star amenities, and a dedicated 1,500 sq. ft. studio space with a 20-foot ceiling height. Collaborating with WSDG from the earliest design phase allowed Diniz to anticipate all acoustic requirements and avoid costly reconstruction later in the process.

Technology decisions were supported by consultations with SSL representative Max Noach, who recommended the SSL AWS 924 console — combining classic SSL analogue sound with full DAW control — as the ideal centerpiece for the facility.

Design

"Sonastério is Brazil's first true destination studio," says Renato Cipriano. "Exceptional acoustics begin with geometry. We worked hand in hand with the architect to ensure every square foot was precisely calibrated. The high level of comfort sets the stage for an extraordinary recording experience."

The 750 sq. ft. live room features a 20-foot ceiling, custom ceiling clouds with an integrated professional lighting grid to accommodate video production, an 80 sq. ft. isolation booth, panoramic mountain views, and a striking hand-painted 'Sunburst' Sonastério logo applied over a broadband acoustic treatment.

The airy 420 sq. ft. control room houses an SSL AWS 924 console, paired with Augspurger Duo8 monitors with 12-inch subwoofers, a carefully curated collection of outboard gear, and pristine system integration by Ground Control.

In Conclusion

"Having the opportunity to participate in this project from the earliest programming and design stages — through construction, speaker calibration, and ultimately recording and producing high-level music — allows us to confidently say that Sonastério sounds every bit as good as it looks. This was a textbook project: a knowledgeable client, a great architect, and flawless geometry." - Renato Cipriano