Updating Mapa Studios with acoustic treatment from GIK Acoustics

Madrid, Spain

Mapa Studios, based in central Madrid, is a long-established music studio which runs five rooms for recording, mixing and production, supporting a mix of external bookings and label-led sessions. The studio is also home to the European base of Rimas Entertainment, welcoming artists from across Europe and Puerto Rico alongside its wider client base.

Set across a bright penthouse space of more than 400 m², Mapa was designed to feel open, warm and comfortable, with natural light as a defining part of the studio experience. The facility pairs modern and vintage instruments with professional-grade production tools, including a certified Dolby Atmos control room, a curated collection of synthesisers, and high-end microphones and equipment. Across the wider site, the team puts strong emphasis on acoustics as a foundation for accurate work and an enjoyable session environment.

Over the past two decades, Mapa Studios has hosted projects with artists and labels from around the world, including work recognised by major awards such as the Latin Grammys, Grammys, and Goyas. Beyond the gear list, the studio positions the day-to-day experience as part of what makes sessions work, with space to record, take breaks, and reset, without the feel of a closed-off room.

The Challenge

Studio 5 wasn't performing to the standard Mapa needed, with the room's relatively small footprint, space constraints and slightly irregular shape making it difficult to achieve symmetry and fit meaningful treatment depth into the available layout. It also needed some modern aesthetic upgrades in line with the rest of the facility.

Mapa's wider studio philosophy is centred on comfort and creativity, which made the shortcomings of Studio 5 more noticeable. Mapa Studios Engineer and Studio Coordinator, Jorge Pedreira, explains, "We think that if people feel as if they were working at home, they will be able to connect with the creative process easily. At Mapa Studios, we offer a home-like environment where music and creativity can live and where artists can achieve the best results for their projects."

The Approach

Mapa brought GIK Acoustics in right from the outset in June 2025 to help quickly identify the issues and support the studio team to develop a clear plan for the acoustic treatment.

The project was led by GIK Acoustics Europe Lead Designer Lukas Rimbach, who developed two treatment options using room renders and input from the Mapa team, alongside analysis of REW measurements they captured in the space.

The Solution

The final design focused on improving accuracy at the listening position while keeping the room controlled but not lifeless. GIK's early assessment identified two prominent low-frequency modes around 44Hz and 64Hz. Given the space restrictions, the treatment plan prioritised what could realistically be addressed within the available footprint, particularly ceiling-related low-frequency control.

Treatment included Classic Bass Trap Panels at reflection points, a FreeStand Bass Trap positioned to cover the window to the right of the listening position, and Amplitude Bass Traps at the rear of the room to support bass and lower-mid absorption whilst retaining energy in the mid and high frequencies through diffusion.

A large overhead cloud using SoundBlocks was designed specifically to tackle the room's strong 60–64Hz behaviour between ceiling and floor, whilst also contributing broader low-end control in a room where corner traps weren't possible.

Aesthetically, the GIK installation was finished in off-white fabric with walnut veneer details, helping the space feel more modern, professional and inviting.

The Results

With a final plan agreed, GIK shipped the panels to Madrid, and the Mapa team installed them on-site following GIK's guidance, with the whole process taking around 2 weeks.

Mapa noticed improvements immediately, both in performance and presentation. Jorge says, "The first thing we noticed after treatment was the improvement in sound quality for Studio 5. We carried out Room EQ Wizard measurements before and after and saw a notable difference."

The panels also helped address feedback about the room's previous styling, giving Studio 5 a more appealing feel to both clients and the Mapa Studios team, with people who previously avoided the room now seeing it as a suitable space for their projects.

Jorge and the wider team were pleased with the overall experience of the project and the commercial impact on the room. "GIK were very helpful throughout this process, and our experience with them was excellent. They helped us choose the best panels and arrangement for our studio, and thanks to that, we were able to make Studio 5 a great space to work in — we now have more bookings for the room as a result."

"If you're working with a difficult room, get in touch with our team.