Zimbabwe: Nleya to open school of audio engineering

LOCAL sound engineer Mbaki Nleya is set to open a school of audio engineering and music technology in September in Belvedere, Harare, to train sound engineers, music producers, artistes and deejays.

Speaking to The Standard Style last week, Nleya — the director of Shownation Entertainment and tutor at the Zimbabwe College of Music — said the institution’s mission is to help improve the quality of sound in the country, which he said was far below international standards.

«We have witnessed a lot of musicians and producers who come into the music industry, but some of them know the basics and we want them to improve on that,» Nleya said.

«The initiative came about after the realisation that there was need to advance and improve the quality of sound since most people are operating backyard studios.»

Meanwhile, Nleya, in partnership with Tendai Madau, has embarked on a project aimed at keeping studio engineers, music producers’ and artists abreast with the evolving technology by hosting a three-day workshop at Harvest House Church in Bulawayo.

«The project was aimed at improving the quality of sound in the country, which I believe is below the standards if we are comparing it to that of South Africa,» he said.

«We have conducted similar workshops in Mutare, Chiredzi, Gweru and Plumtree.

Nleya said they were encouraging musicians to be part of the programme.

«Most of our musicians record and leave it up to the producers and engineers to do everything, yet they should be in control of the process and decide how the final product would sound like,» Nleya said.