SONODYNE BANDISH ~ A sound engineer’s perspective Ok so let’s have the verdict straight away… I’m really loving this offering from Sonodyne!!! It’s taken a bit of running in but now I’m really enjoying what I’m listening to. When recording/ mixing in the studio I want to listen to audio from speakers that reproduce sound in the most accurate manner. A critical reference. I don’t want to hear coloration of the sound because of cabinet design, driver alignment etc. So, what a sound engineer requires in the studio is a neutral, unbiased response from the speakers in order to do his/ her job correctly and well. However, when listening to music for pleasure, whether at home, on the go (headphones), at a club etc. I’m definitely not averse to a little coloration of the sound from the speakers. This should bring in the excitement to the experience. Note that I said “a little coloration”. Which means that I’m not a big fan of excessive, overpowering bass or treble or mid frequencies. The loudspeakers’ response should be relatively well balanced across the audio spectrum with a bump here and there in the response for the excitement. Now let’s get to my experience with the Sonodyne Bandish Bluetooth speaker. I started with some of my favourite tracks (both reference as well as pleasure listening) from Steely Dan, Porcupine Tree, Dil Chahta Hai, Aquarium Rescue Unit etc. My initial experience wasn’t very encouraging because there was too much bass response. This excessive bass was distracting me from the other frequencies. Also, a low mid bump was muddying out the sound so I was losing clarity in the music. There was, in addition an unnatural sharp edge in the high frequency range. Then I remembered that the unit is brand new and probably required some running in, so I decided that I would ignore my discomfort and let the speaker settle in with use. It would have been great if I could have been playing music at least 8 hours a day for the run in but that was not possible. I did have to leave home for work. But, every morning for a couple of hours, I would (and still do) listen to music on the Bandish ranging from Jazz to Rock to Pop. Now, over a month down the line since I got this lovely little speaker, I am very happy to report that it is settling in very nicely indeed. The initial complaints that I reported have greatly diminished and I am able to listen very happily to my favourite music in my library as well as streamed playlists. The bass response is still a little bit on the strong side but the muddiness is gone and it’s much better defined. I’m really loving it because it’s adding to the excitement without distracting from the other frequencies. Also, the high frequency edge that bothered me very quickly went away. I guess all that really was required was a little bit of playback and the drivers settled in nicely.

The Best Monitors you never heard of! Sonodyne SRP 500

I had been looking for a while for the right speakers to connect to my electronic piano for practicing and to use with Logic Pro. My sound engineer friends Bunty Sinha and Sayan Ghosh highly suggested I get the Sonodyne SRP400s. I got in touch with Anindya Mukherjee at Sonodyne about their studio monitors. Today I’m proud to announce that they signed me on as a Sonodyne Artist and now I am using the SRP400 studio monitors. For the first time I am hearing resonant tones from my keyboard and the piano tones sound so life like. When I listen to music on these I can hear every single instrument as if it was beibg played right in front of my ears. I cannot recommend these studio monitors enough! It has made a massive difference to my daily practice, programming and music listening. If you are looking to get studio monitors, get these!

The detailed tops end of the SM 100s translate extremely well when I get to the mix theatre

For the last 20 years or so I used 2 sets of monitors to produce/mix on. Yamaha NS10s and Mackie HR824s (which I really only ever used towards the end of a mix to check the bottom end which the NS10s didn’t have much of).  I fancied a change! I knew my NS10s inside out and while I didn’t mind the sound I didn’t love them either. I wanted something more pleasurable to work on with an extended low end yet still accurate.  A couple of producers had mentioned the SM100ak monitors made by Sonodyne……..a company based in India who I’d never heard of. I also want to get some smaller monitors equivalent to the old Auratone 5Cs so I bought a pair of Avantones which are useful for checking the levels at the very end of a mix but certainly not essential because as soon as I heard the SM100AKs I was blown away!!!!!! The Avantones are an added bonus but really the SM100AKs are all I need for everything. I have never in my life heard such a natural beautiful sounding pair of monitors. Whether monitoring really quietly, really loud or somewhere in the middle the sound is warm and so accurate. My mixes translate brilliant on all systems and the Sonodynes are such a pleasure to use. My ears never get fatigued now and the lows and mids sound gorgeous with a beautiful top end. Nothing is harsh unless you make your mix sound harsh and then these mornings will really show it up as well as any other mistakes. Also the low end shows up any sounds which shouldn’t be there. More than anything the Sonodynes sound so clear. You can hear every little details and who up sounds I never before realised were there! The Sonodyne SM100ak monitors are in my opinion the best around even compared to monitors 10 times more expensive………… A no brainer in my book!

I have finally found a speaker system I can focus with, hear the depth and is tight on the hi and low end." Bil VornDick's artistry as a producer and engineer has helped earn his clients 40 Grammy nominations that encompass 7 that won (among them Alison Krauss' very first Grammy). He has worked on many albums during his 40 years in music. These include projects for such other Grammy recipients as Ralph Stanley, Marty Robbins, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Mark O'Connor and jazz bassist Charlie Haden, as well as for legendary troubadour Jesse Winchester and bluegrass empress Rhonda Vincent.

I love using my Sonodyne SM 200AKs on remote classical sessions.  Since they are self-powered I don't need to haul a power amp to the session and their extended low frequency response means I get more than adequate low end content without having to rig a subwoofer and spend time on its adjustments.  Best of all, the 200s sound great!  

Having had the luxury of a large space in London with Dynaudio speakers, on transferring to a smaller space in a Bombay home environment I needed something that would give me power and quality but would not let the environment or space affect the sound of my mixes and my listening pleasure   I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to try out the PM 100s from Sonodyne who have been making great waves in the Indian music industry and in particular with those writing for film for many years.   This has taken me a long time to get pen to paper as I have been so busy enjoying the speakers! But from day one the sound and beauty of these speakers has been prevalent. Its always a concern how your mixes will carry from your environment to other spaces where they are played be it iTunes on a phone to a large cinema.   So it always takes effort and time and patience to ensure that what you are giving your client and/or your fans is as good in their environment as it is in yours. So that what you mix is true to what they are hearing however good or bad their system is.   So high praise for a product competing on the global stage that is home grown in India – not that its an issue, but they all ring true as the moment I switch them on in the morning to the moment I switch them off many, many hours later they have given me a great aural listening pleasure but at the same time quality that I need whether it be classical music or electronica with heavy beats.   So for an affordable pair of speakers or should I say monitors, Sonodyne’s PM 100s completely fill that space and I wholeheartedly recommend them as a wonderful near-field speaker that successfully have great control over sound whether it is quiet or loud. Having had the luxury of a large space in London with Dynaudio speakers, on transferring to a smaller space in a Bombay home environment I needed something that would give me power and quality but would not let the environment or space affect the sound of my mixes and my listening pleasure   I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to try out the PM 100s from Sonodyne who have been making great waves in the Indian music industry and in particular with those writing for film for many years.   This has taken me a long time to get pen to paper as I have been so busy enjoying the speakers! But from day one the sound and beauty of these speakers has been prevalent. Its always a concern how your mixes will carry from your environment to other spaces where they are played be it iTunes on a phone to a large cinema.   So it always takes effort and time and patience to ensure that what you are giving your client and/or your fans is as good in their environment as it is in yours. So that what you mix is true to what they are hearing however good or bad their system is.   So high praise for a product competing on the global stage that is home grown in India – not that its an issue, but they all ring true as the moment I switch them on in the morning to the moment I switch them off many, many hours later they have given me a great aural listening pleasure but at the same time quality that I need whether it be classical music or electronica with heavy beats.   So for an affordable pair of speakers or should I say monitors, Sonodyne’s PM 100s completely fill that space and I wholeheartedly recommend them as a wonderful near-field speaker that successfully have great control over sound whether it is quiet or loud.

The Best Review is Performance:  Longman Luk - Extremely talented Hong Kong based Erhuist shared his Sonodyne story with us recently. "I feel wonderful for having Sonodyne SRP 204 with me for some recent projects of string ensemble, acapella, and hip hop. At first I didn't expect them as such powerful for how compact the size they are. Yet the most impressive part is the aluminium enclosures, which not only make them sturdy, but also make them sound well contained and focused. As an Erhuist who works on different genres, I really like the clarity that SPR 204 brings me!"

Watch Adam & Ruben from Peking Duk and Al from Cloud Control talk about their experience with Sonodyne studio monitors at Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai

Robin Reumers, SAE Brussels Manager, talks about their Auro 3D room and why they chose Sonodyne SM100AK for this truly amazing system. We would recommend that if you get a chance to hear the Auro 3D system yourself, then grab it with both ears, you won't be disappointed. And if you can hear the system with Sonodyne SM100AK's then it will be even better.

Sonodyne is proud to be associated with ASCAP as the ‘Sound Partner’ for the ASCAP Retreat in France. Held at the 14th-century Château Marouatte in the Dordogne region of France, the ASCAP songwriting retreat was designed to produce hits and get cuts in a variety of genres. Each session placed a producer, a topliner, and a recording artist together to write and record in a different room of the castle. By the end of the retreat, nearly all of the participants had worked together. They left France with hard drives full of professional-grade demos, ready to pitch to artists and record labels. This is what they have to say about their experience with the Sonodyne monitors.

Xavier Redeye, master sound engineer from France giving Sonodyne his seal of approval in this testimonial video.

Mark "Tufty" Evans is a highly regarded producer and mixer. He has worked with a whole bunch of acts including the Beverly Knight, Imelda May, Elton John, Boyzone, Melanie C and the list (really does) go on. Wispington Studios is Mark's own facility and boasts a pristine 96 fader Euphonix C3000 console, Manley Massive Passive EQ, Summit MPE200, Eventide H3000-D/SE along with a Lexicon 480L and some other choice toys. In this film, Mark talks to us about his recent purchase of the Sonodyne SM100AK's reference speakers and also gives some useful tips on mixing. SHOW LESS

  Sonodyne is proud to be associated with ASCAP as the ‘Sound Partner’ for the ASCAP Retreat in France. Held at the 14th-century Château Marouatte in the Dordogne region of France, the ASCAP songwriting retreat was designed to produce hits and get cuts in a variety of genres. Each session placed a producer, a topliner, and a recording artist together to write and record in a different room of the castle. By the end of the retreat, nearly all of the participants had worked together. They left France with hard drives full of professional-grade demos, ready to pitch to artists and record labels. This is what they have to say about their experience with the Sonodyne monitors.

Keertghana studios stands as a perfect example of a small studio set-up delivering great music for feature films, albums and advertisements alike

  Sonodyne is proud to be associated with ASCAP as the ‘Sound Partner’ for the ASCAP Retreat in France. Held at the 14th-century Château Marouatte in the Dordogne region of France, the ASCAP songwriting retreat was designed to produce hits and get cuts in a variety of genres. Each session placed a producer, a topliner, and a recording artist together to write and record in a different room of the castle. By the end of the retreat, nearly all of the participants had worked together. They left France with hard drives full of professional-grade demos, ready to pitch to artists and record labels. This is what they have to say about their experience with the Sonodyne monitors.

Watch Andriy Khlyvnyuk, lead singer Boombox, Ukraine, talk about his experience with the Sonodyne SRP 400s at Studio La Fabrique, France

Immersive audio is the future of surround sound. Sonodyne SRP 400 user Tom Van Achte, mastering and QC engineer at Auro 3D, on immersive sound, mastering...and more!

 I've been using the SRP 600s as my primary set of monitors for about 6 years now and they are truly a pleasure to work with every day. They are such well designed, robust set of monitors and I feel like these 6.5'' woofers give me just the right amount of low end information I need to make an informed decision on my mixes. The Sonodynes don't lie. They give you a true representation of your source, which in turn helps you get the best results on your mixes. 

Uday Benegal (lead singer, principal songwriter and one of the founding members of the pioneering Indian rock band Indus Creed) talks about his love for the Sonodyne SRP 400 and why he takes them along for every recording gig

Watch the amazing Gino Banks, India's most versatile drummer, talk about his experience with Sonodyne monitors

Sonodyne is proud to be associated with ASCAP as the ‘Sound Partner’ for the ASCAP Retreat in France. Held at the 14th-century Château Marouatte in the Dordogne region of France, the ASCAP songwriting retreat was designed to produce hits and get cuts in a variety of genres. Each session placed a producer, a topliner, and a recording artist together to write and record in a different room of the castle. By the end of the retreat, nearly all of the participants had worked together. They left France with hard drives full of professional-grade demos, ready to pitch to artists and record labels. This is what they have to say about their experience with the Sonodyne monitors.

  The Sonodyne speakers are uniquely positioned in terms of size, price, features and room filling music quality. Last night I was listening to Acker Bilk "Stranger on the Shore" and it sounded divine!  

Louiz Banks has been spearheading the Jazz movement in India for the past 3 decades. Watch him talk about his experience with the Sonodyne SRP 600s and more

After picking up the 400s about two years ago and pairing them up with my Presonus sub, the Sonodyne's have quickly become my main monitors for mastering. The human ear is most sensitive in the 2kHz to 5kHz region, so getting the mid range well balanced is a big part of mastering. This is is where the Sonodyne's shine. Phenomenal midrange detail that translates great to other listening systems. They also have great high frequency response and have a surprising amount of low end for such small speakers (I'm guessing the solid aluminum frame probably has a lot to do with that). Can't live without them at this point. 

No more second guessing any of my decisions because if it sounds good through my Sonodyne SRP 400s, it will sound good everywhere else

For a little speaker it has an amazingly good bottom end ... even better is that you don't listen to the speaker at all, you just listen to the music Josh Blair is a producer/engineer for artists like Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Duran Duran  

I have my Sonodyne SRP 400 for a few years and can admitt that I spend more and more time with them when mixing, comparing to bigger full range monitors.  It's unbelievable how such small monitors can show the entire music spectrum in such natural way, not just the middle frequencies without reference to the rest of the frequency response

The Sonodyne SRP 400 delivers crystal clear, and detailed sound. Fatigue-free, it is ideal not only for long hours of music production but also for critical listening of your favourite tracks. I highly recommend the Sonodyne SRP 400." ~ Anupam Roy Over the years, Bengal has continuously produced thought leaders. In this generation, Anupam Roy, is a shining example. A prolific song-writer and poet, his words and melodies have touched a chord with millions worldwide. Anupam is not afraid to stray off the beaten track, to create a sound that is unique to him. We are proud to have Anupam Roy as a Sonodyne user-endorsee, and wish him continued success in his sound journey.

Leslie Brathwaite is a Grammy nominated Mix-Engineer who has worked with some of the biggest stars in the music industry from #Beyoncé, #Jay-Z, #Madonna, #CardiB and #MichaelJackson amongst several others.

'It is very important to me that the music that I listen to comes out as organically as possible ... I have found Sonodyne sound to be clear"  

"No mix is finished until I check it on a Sonodyne” Tom Lord Alge received two Grammy Awards for his work on Steve Winwood's Back in the High Life (1986), and Roll With It (1988)—both winning in the Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical category. Lord Alge's third Grammy was for Santana's Supernatural (1999), which won Album of the Year. Lord Alge has mixed records for U2, Simple Minds, #TheRollingStones, P!nk, Peter Gabriel, OMD, Sarah McLachlan, Dave Matthews Band, #blink-182, #AvrilLavigne, Sum 41, #Oasis, Manic Street Preachers , Story of the Year and Marilyn Manson, among others.

Grammy Award winning recording producer and engineer, Bob Power's testimonial on Sonodyne's Studio Monitors. Bob Power has worked with A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Citizen Cope, D'Angelo, De La Soul, India Arie, Jungle Brothers, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ozomatli, The Roots and many more.

I have my Sonodyne SM 300 for quite a few years now and I have found them to be very clean and very solid with a surprising natural low end response

Grammy Award winning recording producer and engineer,  Eddie Kramer's testimonial on Sonodyne's Studio Monitors. Eddie has worked with The Beatles, David Bowie, #EricClapton #JimiHendrix, The Kinks, Kiss, #LedZeppelin, #TheRollingStones, John Mellencamp, #CarlosSantana and numerous others.