Katara Studios in Doha, Qatar
Posted on: Saturday 6th of February 2016
Katara Studios in Doha, Qatar has opened as one of the region’s largest and most technically advanced recording/feature film audio post production complexes. ‘The new building, developed by London-based ADG, had just been completed in Doha’s Middle Eastern Art Development Centre,’ said WSDG co-principal, Sergio Molho. ‘Metropolis, a major London recording studio, had developed the extensive technology package, and was engaged to coordinate the system integration. The project required high-level studio and interior design, as well as a commensurate HVAC system and, expert construction oversight to monitor the complex sound isolation issues essential to critical recording and listening environments. WSDG’s international organisation was ideally positioned to deliver all of these services.’
The 6,000sqm 40+ room complex is distinguished by the Studio 1 Live (orchestral) Room, crowned by a 9m-high ceiling, capable of hosting 80+ musicians. The control room has a 96-fader Neve 88RS Console and 5.1 PMC BB5 monitoring. Studio 2 is Live (rock ‘n’ roll) Room and has an 80-channel API Vision Console. In addition to three recording studios, there’s a Mastering Suite, a Dolby Atmos postproduction suite (with VO Booth) for feature film mixing, two Composer Rooms, three Audio Prep Rooms; a Video Grading Suite and, a Video Edit Suite.
‘We were fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with Elie Wakim (Imar Trading & Contracting) and Metropolis on this complex project,’ Sergio Molho said. ‘Our joint effort enabled the project to be completed well within its projected ten-month construction deadline.’
WSDG Co-Founder, John Storyk points to Katara Studios as one of the high points in the firm’s 45+-year history. ‘Elements of this complex are genuinely unique,’ Storyk said. ‘In addition to the ingenious Magic Ceiling Cubes, the Studio 1 Live Room’s three oversized iso booths can be reconfigured in a variety of permutations.
‘Ultimately,’ Storyk concluded, ‘the success of this massive project is a testament to the communication skills, and consummate professionalism of Elie Wakim, Imar Trading & Contracting, Metropolis and the entire global WSDG team.’
