Diamonds brings shine and sound to the music scene

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 19, 2008 00:00

 

Company spokesperson, Desmond Modeso, said that their emphasis would be on promoting live sound as opposed to backtracking. They feel that the Botswana music industry is ready for live music.'With an outstanding global reputation, Botswana is ready as people out there would want to listen to the music of these people with a good democratic and sound economic standing,' said Desmond.

He said that though they are pro-live music, Diamonds Studios is not saying every performance should be live as some venues are not well suited for live music. He, however, said there are times when it is appropriate to sing to backtracks. He mentioned events like promotional performances and said that where there  are big concerts or a lot of their musicians are performing, they will use live sound system.

Some of the groups that have signed up with Diamonds Studios are Jeff Matheatau, Chris Manto 7 of Zvaka Pressa fame, Tselakgopo, Kaizer Baloi and Joel Keitumele also known as the sobriquet, Ntsoro.

Diamonds Studios hires out state-of-the-art sound equipment to show organisers or organisations conducting promotional events. He revealed that their sound equipment was specifically designed for the National Stadium in Gaborone. The intention was to look at the biggest and most difficult venues and design a perfect sound system for it.

'We, therefore, went to PMT, the largest UK retailer of professional music equipment, and used their technicians to design the system. Their brief was to design a system that could be broken down into small components so that it can also be used for small venues.

'The reason we did that was that it was better to aim for the biggest venue because it's easier to break things down than build things up,' he said.

He said they also have two sound stage trucks. One of them even has a built-in stage whilst the other can also be used as a stage itself.'They are available for road shows, small and big promotions.

In addition we have CDs and DVDs duplicating facilities here,' he said adding that they have thermal printing machines for printing CDs and DVDs. 'We are trying to set up the studio as a one-stop shop for all musicians,' he said.

Matheatau said that he was happy for his relationship with Diamond Studios as the company helped in promoting their music both here and in countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. The music quality, he said, is good and will improve the way people view their music.

'I have released an album called Ko-Moepong and it is doing well in the market. Diamonds Studios is good at album promotions. The way we record music here is good because it is done live, hence the final product comes out as a high quality one.

In the past as bands, we didn't record live at studios. But here you bring your band and set and then you play, and the studio records you,' he said.Kaiser Kebareng, an upcoming artist, also praised the company saying that unlike others it is highly organised and professional in its handling of business.