Surrounded by farms and apple orchards, away from the hustle and bustle of Budapest, Ash Sound studio has been in the business of recording music for the past 40 years – most recently with producer and sound engineer Attila Horváth at the helm. Its latest move is the opening of a Dolby Atmos room.
The studio originally opened its doors as the P Studio in 1983, benefiting from unique technical conditions in the area surrounding Törökbálint. In 2010, following a merger and transformation, the SuperSize Recording Studio emerged, quickly becoming the leading recording studio in the country with two mixing rooms and three recording rooms of varying sizes and acoustics, as well as accommodation for musicians.
Over its 13 years of operation, SuperSize hosted many Hungarian and international producers and performers visited SuperSize Recording Studio, including Cameron Webb (Motorhead, Ignite), Howie B (Björk, Placebo), Jake Gordon (Emeli Sande, Everything, Clean Bandit, Plan B) Matt Lawrence (Adele, Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones, U2), Helik Hadar (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Seal, Pink, Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman), Al Dimeola, Architects, Macklemore, Philip Lawrence (Bruno Mars) and Son Lux.
Following a further transformation in 2023, the complex’s three studios – Ash Sound, Pro Vibe and Studio C – operate as independent entities, each with its own focus. These complementary studios combine modern technical capabilities with an impressive collection of vintage equipment, including tape recorders, microphones, and analogue outboard, all of which preserve their classic charm.
Over the past 20 years, Horváth has worked across a wide range of music genres, including jazz, metal, hip-hop and alternative rock, collaborating with Hungarian and international artists in these styles.
His musical journey began as the guitarist for the progressive modern rock-metal band Subscribe, which he co-founded in 1999. Over the years, Subscribe has progressed from performing sold-out club shows to gracing the main stages of major festivals, sharing the spotlight with some of the bands that inspired Horváth to pick up the guitar as a child.
‘Due to my background as a musician, it has been 20 years since I entered the world of studios, where I worked not only as a sound engineer but also as the head of the SuperSize Recording studio for a long time. In addition to sound recording, mixing, mastering and Dolby Atmos mixing, I also teach at my workshops,’ he says.
‘In 2021, I had the idea to modernise and transform Studio B, which was then still operating under the name SuperSize Recording. When I first learned about the use of Dolby Atmos in music, I recognised a significant opportunity. From a professional perspective, I was particularly intrigued by the creative possibilities offered in a 3D sound space. By the end of 2021, I had the chance to collaborate with Neumann’s representative in Hungary, which was the last piece of equipment needed to kickstart the project.
‘The studio had previously been equipped with an SSL 4000G console, which I loved working on,’ he continues. ‘However, it became clear that integrating the recall photos from mixing sessions into today’s workflows was challenging, especially when clients often request “just a few last-minute changes”. With a heavy heart, we decided to part with the console.’
Additionally, the studio required acoustic upgrades…
‘After a year of research and six months of rebuilding, measuring and calibration, we assembled a 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos system in the summer of 2023. Ash Sound became the first studio of its kind in Hungary when we opened our doors.’
The studio’s hybrid system combines digital devices and an analogue mastering chain. The stereo monitoring system uses Neumann KH 420 loudspeakers soffited into the wall, as well as KH 310s paired with a KH 750s subwoofer, and with a set of Yamaha NS-10s.
‘I remember when we removed the SSL console and installed the pair of KH 420 monitors in the room for the first time,’ Horváth recalls. ‘I listened to well-known favourites and discovered details I had never noticed before, despite having heard them many times on various systems. One surprising moment for me was when the new set-up immediately identified the weakest link in the monitoring chain to be the monitor controller we were using at the time. It compromised the transients, which hadn’t been as apparent on the previous systems. Once we eliminated that controller, everything fell into place.’
The Dolby Atmos monitoring system includes Neumann KH 120 monitors as surround and height speakers, with KH 310s in the left and right channels, and two KH 750 DSP subwoofers. ‘Initially, I incorporated a KH 810 sub, but at the suggestion of the acoustic team, it was replaced by two KH 750s,’ Horváth says. ‘This allows for simultaneous excitation of two points in the room with deep sounds, ideally from different heights and asymmetrical positions. As a result, the deep sounds are evenly distributed throughout the room, maintaining consistent volume levels.
‘The monitor control I resolved with Merging Technologies converters (Hapi and Anubis). They provide crystal-clear sound without any coloration – an ideal solution for recording. Additionally, the DSP required for monitoring is available to handle the delay in the Dolby Atmos set-up and manage different speaker configurations at the push of a button.’
‘After installing the final cable and completing the configuration, I had just two weeks left to finish the first Dolby Atmos LP, which features 12 songs. I believe this was the first album by a Hungarian artist to be released in this format. Despite this, immersive audio is still relatively unknown in Hungary; only a handful of performers are considering it. That’s why I am working to promote this technology through workshops.’
In the workshops, participants will learn about the structure of recording studios and the equipment used in them, gaining insight into the recording and postproduction processes. Additionally, thay will have the opportunity to experience the potential of Dolby Atmos, which is presently shaping music consumption.