The Synchromesh Portable Recording Studio Design Contest

The Synchromesh Portable Recording Studio Design Contest is now open for entries!
The Synchromesh Portable Recording Studio Design Contest : The Synchromesh EU – International Arts and Communications are running an international competition for the best portable recording studio design (and prototype) inviting anyone worldwide to enter, individuals, groups and companies.
➜ Short description
The Synchromesh EU – International Arts and Communications , a creative cultural company focusing on live and recorded artistic performance and events, are running an international competition for
International Arts and Communications (IAC) in Dublin is running a two year project for young professionals to create and record audio dramas across Europe. The project introduces a range of creatives and technicians to the joys and potential of audio drama.
Audio drama is a highly accessible art form which can now be made using low cost but high quality technical equipment, free editing software and can be widely distributed online.
The Covid-19 lockdown provided new opportunities to record audio remotely from actors’ homes – a development from the time honoured tradition of voiceover artists sticking a duvet over their head.. The potential with a broadcast quality portable studio that can be sent and opened anywhere tardis-like is tremendous.
The design challenge is that the features needed for this studio appear to be contradictory. This studio needs some exceptionally clever thinking.
The organizers are looking for a low cost portable recording studio “in a box”. The box – ideally no bigger than a couple of suitcases – would contain everything required for an effective recording studio – microphones, insulation etc. It would be available to order as a home assembly kit which could easily be assembled by the most technically challenged in their own home.
Key Features are:
1. Portability: we need to be able to send this out to someone in the back of a taxi
2. Quality: the studio should to be able to deliver broadcast quality results
3. Insulation: as part of quality about we need a studio that offers a good measure of sound proofing
4. Acoustics: the studio is for spoken word. We need a “dead” space that soaks up sound.
5. Budget: we are looking for something that can be produced by pros and enthusiasts and most of all young people. So it needs to cost hundreds not thousands.
6. Accessibility: ideally this should be something that an enthusiast could order in parts or follow instructions and make from a kit themselves.
7. Idiot proofing: the studio needs to be user friendly – really user friendly for people who can not handle Ikea instructions for construction and can only do “press and record” for the electronics.
➜ Who may enter?
Entries are accepted from individuals, ad hoc groups of entrants, constituted organisations including – but not restricted to – registered companies, schools, universities, arts organisations or community organisations. There are no geographical restrictions on eligibility.
➜ Prize:
There is a “cash-prize” of €5,000 for what the Synchromesh partnership considers to be the best solution.
Official website
Organiser
International Arts and Communications
Share on social


More Competitions:

2025 Vega Digital Awards | COMPETITIONS
Vega Digital Awards 2025 recently opened for entries and organised by International Awards Associate Inc (IAA) wishes to recognize excellence in the planning & execution of digital communications. ...

The Architect's Chair / Edition #3 | COMPETITIONS
Architect's Chair Competition, an exciting opportunity for architects and designers to showcase their versatility and creativity by designing a signature piece of furniture, now in its 3rd edition is ...

Communication Arts 2025 Advertising Competition | COMPETITIONS
Communication Arts 2025 Advertising Competitions, the most prestigious competition for creativity in advertising, organised by CA Communication Arts has been recently opened for entries, inviting desi ...