About
Pluto Studios was founded in 2002 as a small studio and rehearsal room. Over the years we became a leading production studio, and creative meeting place for local musicians. In 2010 we moved to our current location, a large four-story complex which serves as Israel’s largest studio, and the center of the local music industry. With seven, world-class studios, the highest technical standards, we are here for you, at every step of the music production process. Pre-production, recording large or small ensembles, overdubs, editing, mixing and/or mastering.
In 2011 we opened the Pluto School of Sound Design and Production, in collaboration with Shenkar College. As the only local school which inhabits a professional studio environment, we have become Israel’s leading institution for studying the art of recording.
Over the years, many of the defining songs of Israeli pop culture have been recorded here. You can hear a few examples here.
The Studios
9 recording and production studios, of the highest quality. Suitable for a wide range of needs, and equipped with the best gear available: The legendary Neve VR recording console, Steinway D grand piano, Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes, Quested monitoring system. And above all, Pluto’s professional and obliging staff.
The studios were designed with care and sensitivity, as was the whole building, by architect Lior Tsionov, and Israel’s top acoustic designer Dudu Huja. Great emphasis was put on both acoustics and aesthetics, as well as all the highest technical demands of modern recording and music production.
Studio A is the most spacious in the complex. Suitable live recording, tracking or filming a video. Anything from a four piece band to a full orchestra, including drums, piano, choir, strings, horns etc. Studio B is perfect for overdubs, editing, mixing or mastering in a more intimate setting. Four additional studios are rented out to some of Israel’s top producers and sound engineers, and on the rooftop, another studio for the use of our students.
We invite you to enjoy the facility and help you turn your musical vision into reality.
College of Sound Engineering and Production
Pluto Studios College of Sound Engineering and Production, was born of a great love for the art of making and recording music, and a sincere desire pass on our knowledge to the next generation of engineers and producers. The school is situated in Israel’s largest music production complex. It is here where students can get hands-on experience, participating in real-life sessions as part of their training.
In order to prepare students for a successful career in the field of music production and recording, we have invested a great deal of thought in building a classroom of the highest technical and esthetic standards. Our program was carefully created in order to give students a clear understanding of the technology and techniques available, under the guidance of some of Israel’s top professionals.
It is important to us that our students fully utilize their time here, and ensure a nurturing environment for studying and gaining hands-on experience. Hence the relatively group of 19 students which assures a personal relationship for each student, at his pace and specific needs. We can confidently say our facility, staff and study program is the perfect framework to hone your skills and knowledge, in preparation for a fulfilling career in the field of sound and music production.
We invite you to join us in our love for creating music, and become part of Pluto Studios. We are here to provide any information. Give us a call, or better yet, set up an appointment and come see for yourself.
Our Program
Who it’s for
Our program was created for people who wish to find a place in the industry, in Israel or abroad, as sound engineers, music producers, or artists. Whether in music, film, television, or online media. People who like knowing how the technology works, and how to use it, experimenting, problem solving, and being part of the creative process. No prior knowledge is needed, only a desire to turn your love into a profession.
About the Course
Our course runs one year. the year is comprised of 62 meetings, of 6 hours each. In addition there are approximately 350 hours of practice time in the school studio, both alone as well as instructed. A new class opens every year in October or November. The lessons are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Upon finishing the program, each graduate will receive a certificate of completion from Pluto Studios and Shenkar College of Design.
The Classroom and Studio
Our classroom is equipped with personal Mac Mini computers, and MIDI keybpard controllers. The class studio includes a medium-sized isolation booth, 32 channel Amec Einstein Super E recording console, various microphones, a drum kit, plus all the softwares and plug-ins that we teach in the course. This includes Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Melodyne, Softube, Slate Digital and Soundtoys bundles. All of this is at the students disposal for learning and practicing their craft.
In addition to regular classes and practice sessions, there are several workshops a year in the larger Studio A, including the famous Neve VR mixing board and large variety of high-end microphones. Studio A is also utilized by the students for their final project at the end of year two of our program.
The Study Program
Our two year program is based on an understanding and implementation of the different elements of the production process. We believe the best way to learn is through doing. This is why all the theoretical knowledge is followed by practical workshops, which give the students an opportunity to gain experience putting their knowledge to actual use. These workshops are on a wide range of topics, with various experts who will share their knowledge and experience from the real world. Students gain hands-on experience with the best gear, and best people in the field. We hope you will use this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and development.
Our goal at the end of your studies is to give you the ability, and the knowledge, to accompany an artist or client on their creative journey, or to take a journey of your own. From recording demos, to recording a whole band, editing, mixing, and mastering of a project, as well as taking care of engineering live shows or presentations.
During the first year, our students learn the theoretical and technological basis of sound engineering, with an emphasis on practical experience. The fundamentals of recording, such as understanding signal flow, how the gear works, using DAWs such as Pro Tools, workshops in the main studio and recording in different environments.
Some of the courses in year one: The Technology of Sound, Pro Tools, Recording in the Analog Studio, Recording Acoustic Ensembles, MIDI Production, Live Sound, Recording Outdoors, Music Production Workshops, Recording Drums Workshop, Personal Recording Project.
Some of the courses in year two: Recording in the Digital Studio, Mixing, Mastering, Ableton Live, Electronic Production with Cubase, Electronics and Building Audio Equipment, Music Production and Editing for Picture, Mix for Picture, Post Production, Sound Design for Games, Acoustic Design, Music Production Workshops, Final Project.
Services
Recording your project starts long before the actual session. Advance planning and guidance are crucial to realization of your musical vision. We are here to help you make the most of your studio time, whether it’s technical preparation, planning a timetable, finding musicians, photography and filming, and whatever else you may need.
Furthermore, our staff is on hand to take care of your every need so that you are free to focus on the creative process. The facility includes lockers for storing your equipment, a shower, and free parking for our clients, as well as safe bicycle storage. We also have a store on hand for all the little things that musicians need: guitar strings, power supplies, hard drives etc. All of this in a beautiful building with a large inviting lobby, sunny rooftop, and artists’ lounge for the ultimate all-around creative experience.
Production
Sometimes, all we need is that one person, who can help us get the most out of ourselves. An experienced, objective ear, to put things in order, and lead us through the creative process. For this reason, we have created our production department, headed by Gadi Finegold, owner and founder of Pluto Studios, an experienced musician, producer, songwriter and artist.
During the production process, your producer will evaluate with you your repertoire, your goals, and how to go about achieving them. From pre-production, all the way through to mastering. We invite you to schedule a free appointment for consultation.
Tracking
The key to getting the sound you want lies in getting the best possible sources. Once you have great sounding tracks you can easily continue at home or elsewhere, refining the arrangement and mix. A high quality recording makes the rest of the process easier and more flexible. For more information on the technical aspects of each studio click here (קישור לדף the studios)
Editing
In today’s recording industry, more time than ever before is spent refining the performance after the fact. In fact, much more time is usually spent on editing, pitch correction, beat-detective etc., than the time it takes to record the tracks. With the help of a good editor, you can get a perfect performance even when the playing is less than perfect.
Mixing
You bring us your best, and we’ll make the most out of it. Whether a single, or an entire album. Our mixing rooms include premium equipment and acoustics, including our famous Neve VR desk, the only such console in Israel.
Our mix engineers are experienced, with a long list of credits to their names.
Mastering
This is the final stage of production, where our mastering engineer Barak Yechezkeli puts the finishing touches on your music, making it a finished product. The goal is to achieve a uniform sound for the entire project, adjusting the EQ and loudness of each track, and setting the gaps between tracks, so as to achieve the best results no matter where, and on what it is played.
Video
Pluto Studios is a great location for shooting videos, either of a live performance, or a previously recorded one. Check out a few of the many videos, tv shows, and commercials which have been filmed here in recent years.