Rohan Solomon Shares Journey Of Creating Synergy Audio Productions: ‘It Has Been A Dream…’ | Exclusive – News18

After a landmark 2023, marked by the release of an ambitious full-length concept album celebrating his 20th anniversary as a professional musician, Rohan Solomon is now channeling his focus towards the broader aspects of music making. The accomplished artist and audio engineer has expanded his influence by founding The Synergy Group. This group includes Synergy Audio Productions, Synergy Institute of Music, and Synergy Audio Institute, all aimed at elevating the standards of music production and education.

Synergy Studio, a key part of Solomon’s vision, serves as a production space curated by a musician for musicians. With extensive experience, including mentorship under the legendary Michael Brauer and a tenure at New York’s Engine Room Audio, Solomon has created a sanctuary for sound that blends modern technological precision with traditional craftsmanship. During his time in NYC, he worked and recorded with notable artists such as John Legend and Anderson Paak, among others.

The Journey to Establish Synergy Studios

During an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Rohan Solomon was asked about the journey that led him to establish his dream. The seasoned independent musician from Delhi revealed that he always aspired to create a world-class recording studio. “It has been a dream of mine for the longest time,” he shared. Despite working in various local studios, he felt they lacked the ‘international quality’ he sought. His time in the US, where he studied audio and worked at a major recording studio, equipped him with the knowledge and experience needed to run a top-tier studio. Upon returning to India, he knew exactly what was needed to start Synergy Studios in the NCR.

Rohan shared, “Having been an independent musician in the Delhi scene, I have worked in all the studios that were around, and as good as they were, they were lacking ‘something’. We just weren’t able to get that ‘international quality’ that I was looking for. Moving to the US having studied audio and worked at a major recording studio, I learned the ins and outs of running a studio and what is the equipment that is considered industry standard at the highest level as far as studios go. Having gotten comfortable with all of that, I moved back to India and knew exactly what all I needed to start a world-class studio right here in NCR.”

Unique Aspects of Synergy Studios

When asked what sets Synergy Studios apart from other music production facilities in the NCR region, Rohan highlighted their extensive collection of analog equipment. “We have an immense variety of audio flavor,” he explained. Unlike the common practice of recording clean and adding effects during mixing, Synergy Studios captures a finished sound at the recording stage. Their analog gear provides superior headroom and depth compared to digital plugins. Additionally, their ability to mix and master in Dolby Atmos gives them a competitive edge, complemented by the studio’s inviting ambiance.

“I’ve noticed that most people in the scene here prefer recording “clean” and treating it and adding flavour later on in mixing. But I have a different approach, I believe in capturing the sound and making it sound as finished as possible right at the recording stage. Plus the kind of headroom and depth we get with analog gear is still far superior than digital plugins. Also, we have the ability to mix and master in Dolby Atmos which gives us an edge over most studios. I’m often told that the ambience and vibe of the studio itself are a big plus,” he explained with a smile.

Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere

Rohan described the studio’s atmosphere as “chilled-out,” featuring amenities like a pool table, gaming room, and a large balcony. “Artists often come with their entourage, and we need to cater to them as well,” he said. The studio also boasts a coffee machine for custom lattes, making artists feel at home. This welcoming environment is frequently praised by visiting artists, “We also have a coffee machine where we make coffee for our artists and also make custom latte art for them (Not that it’s very good, but still, haha!!) People just feel at home here. It’s great to see and hear whenever artists tell me this,” Rohan added.

Enhancing Production with Dolby Atmos and Custom Equipment

Rohan acknowledged that while Dolby Atmos doesn’t directly affect the recording process, it significantly enhances mixing, offering an immersive audio experience. He believes spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos will become the standard for music consumption and production in the future

He explained, “I don’t think the production and recording process are really affected by the Dolby Atmos system. We are an industry, aren’t quite there yet. Music as of now is still produced and recorded in stereo. It’s only during the mixing process that we tend to dive into the option of mixing in Atmos and even that is usually done after we have already mixed in stereo.”

Adding to this, Rohan also stated that Dolby Atmos and spatial audio formats are “definitely evolving”. He said, “. It feels more immersive, we tend to feel more engulfed and connected with the music as it’s all around us. In the years to come, this is definitely going to become the standard of music consumption and in turn, will also become the standard for music production.”

Balancing Technology with Traditional Craftsmanship

Advanced technology plays a crucial role at Synergy Studios, but Rohan emphasizes the importance of balancing it with traditional craftsmanship. “Music is made from the heart,” he said. Technology serves as a tool to express emotions, but the foundational techniques remain timeless. This balance ensures artists have the entire range of possibilities to create their music.

He shared, “It’s a balance for sure. Technology is constantly advancing and evolving and we as a studio must keep up with that and move along with the times. But the approach to making music and art will, in my opinion, always stay old school and traditional. Technology is only a tool that we use to help us express those emotions, especially in electronic music. But for us, there will always be a balance of traditional approach and the latest technology… to offer our artists the entire range of possibilities to make their music.”

High-End Outboard Gear and Versatile Microphones

Rohan stressed the importance of having a diverse range of microphones and outboard gear. Different microphones offer unique frequency responses, and it’s important to have options to match various singers. Analog equipment like preamps, EQs, and compressors provide distinct tones and control, enhancing the recording quality before the signal reaches the computer.

“it’s all about offering audio flavour and the varied frequency responses of different

microphones. No matter how great or expensive a particular microphone is, it may not suit a particular singer. This is the reason that we should always have a plethora of options. Many times when I’m working with a singer for the very first time, I love to audition mics and then do a blind test and see which one sounds and feels the best. Also, other analog equipment like Preamps, EQs, and compressors offer a variety of tones and varied aggression of compression. It’s always a good idea to get a little bit of compression for singers before your signal reaches the computer. It adds character and maintains a bit of control and the singer can sing more freely without worrying about clipping the converters. It just puts you in a different league altogether,” Rohan elaborated.

Goals for Synergy Institute of Music and Synergy Audio Institute

The Synergy Institute of Music (SIM) is thriving with 12 schools and plans for further expansion. They offer international certifications from Trinity College of London and Wirth Academy of Austria. The Synergy Audio Institute (SAI) provides a comprehensive program in Music Production and Audio Engineering, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience in a world-class studio.

Rohan shared, “Synergy Institute of Music (SIM) is currently doing really well. We have 12 schools now and are planning our further expansion. We have developed a great system to offer music education to the children of tomorrow. We are teaching 2

international certifications: Trinity College of London & Wirth Academy of Austria. Synergy Audio Institute (SAI) is still in the beginning stage and we are slowly pushing on the marketing front to get more students than what we currently have. However, we offer a comprehensive program for Music Production and Audio

Engineering, giving the students a chance to choose from various modules. The best thing about this course is that it’s not in a classroom environment. You are

actually studying in a world-class studio under real industry professionals with

multiple global chart-topping hits under their belt as well as a Grammy. Here you

get a great mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience and you get to observe REAL recording and mixing sessions.”

Contributing to Music Production and Education Standards

By integrating their institutions, Synergy offers a complete musical journey—from learning instruments and performing to recording and producing music. This holistic approach ensures students receive a well-rounded education, preparing them for successful careers in the music industry, “Perhaps as individual institutions maybe not, but as a whole group, we are offering a one-stop shop for all your musical needs. From learning how to play an instrument or singing to becoming good enough to perform at workshops and recitals, to getting even better to be able to record in a world-class recording studio, and then if they get further interested in wanting to learn how to produce music, we got that covered as well. So we envision an entire musical journey for our customers with Synergy,” he added.

Impact on the Local Music Community

Synergy Studios has already made a significant impact in the NCR region, raising the bar for local facilities and creating a welcoming and safe environment for artists. This positive reception has established Synergy as a premier destination for musicians.

Rohan exclaimed, “Well, it has already created quite an impact over the last few months. People have been talking about it a lot. We get a lot of clients through word of mouth. We seem to have raised the bar for what studios should be in North India and have created a vibe that makes the artists feel welcome and safe. That was the dream, to offer such a place to my fellow musicians in the indie scene and beyond.”

Learning from Renowned Artists

Working with artists like John Legend and Anderson Paak taught Rohan the importance of adaptability and professionalism. These experiences underscored the value of a strong work ethic and the need to be prepared to capture the perfect performance quickly, “I’ve definitely learned that there is no one way of doing things. Everyone has a different approach and we as the producers or engineers have to adapt to the artist. I’ve also seen the work ethic of people at that level is incredible. I’ve seen so many indie artists come to the studio and waste time, but huge artists like Anderson Paak are straight-up awesome and professional. He knows exactly what

he wants and he will perform it, we just need to be fast enough to capture it,” revealed Rohan.

The Concept of ‘Conscious Songwriting’

‘Conscious songwriting’ involves creating music with a purpose and deeper meaning. Rohan’s songs like ‘Victoria’s Secret’ and ‘We Demand Change’ address social causes and aim to connect with listeners on a personal level, helping them feel less alone.

The multi-talented musician expressed, “I guess I’ve had a theme of writing “consciously” for a while now. Songs like Victoria’s Secret, We Demand Change, Keep Holding On & Happy Place had a bigger purpose and meaning behind them. I guess I felt connected to those topics and they happen to be things that would hopefully help other people by letting them know that they’re not alone. I definitely want to try and help my community and society with my music, so I love writing about certain social causes because I feel that it can help in whatever small way, but it can help for sure. Music has given me so much and it’s my duty and responsibility to give back.”

Future Expansion of Synergy Audio Productions

While Rohan hasn’t considered expanding Synergy Audio Productions across India, he remains focused on making Synergy Studios a unique, one-of-a-kind destination. He envisions an entire musical journey for customers with Synergy, from learning to recording and producing music, “I really haven’t thought about it, but as of now I’d like to keep it as a one and only place,” he concluded.