Building Sound Excellence Since 2010
Fifteen years of dedication to audio precision, creative collaboration, and technical innovation in Tokyo's music production landscape
Return HomeOur Story
Sound Wave emerged from a straightforward observation in 2010: Tokyo needed a recording facility that prioritized both technical precision and artistic collaboration. What started as a single control room in Shibuya has grown into a comprehensive audio production center serving musicians, filmmakers, and content creators across diverse genres and formats.
Our facility was built around the principle that exceptional audio work requires more than equipment. It demands experienced engineers who understand the nuances of different musical styles, the patience to refine details that most listeners never consciously notice, and the technical knowledge to translate creative vision into sonic reality. This philosophy has guided every decision from our initial equipment selection to our current roster of specialized services.
Throughout our development, we've maintained focus on practical capabilities rather than superficial promises. Our engineers bring backgrounds spanning classical orchestration, electronic production, film sound, and commercial music. This diversity allows us to approach each project with relevant expertise rather than forcing a single methodology onto different creative contexts.
The studio's evolution has been shaped by client feedback and industry developments. We've expanded our post-production capabilities to accommodate the growing demand for spatial audio and immersive sound design. Our education programs developed after numerous requests from emerging producers seeking structured guidance through the technical aspects of modern production. Each service addition reflects observed needs rather than speculative market positioning.
Today, Sound Wave operates as a collaborative workspace where technical capability meets creative exploration. Our client relationships often span multiple projects as artists return for the combination of reliable technical execution and honest creative input. We measure our work not through promotional metrics but through the quality of finished productions and the professional development of those we train.
Our Methodology
Evidence-Based Technical Approach
Our production methods are grounded in acoustic principles and established audio engineering practices. We utilize measurement tools to verify frequency response, phase coherence, and dynamic range rather than relying on subjective assessment alone. This technical foundation ensures consistent results across different playback systems and listening environments. Critical decisions about microphone placement, room treatment, and signal processing are informed by both theoretical knowledge and empirical testing.
Structured Workflow Systems
Each project follows a defined progression through pre-production consultation, recording sessions, editing phases, mixing iterations, and final mastering. This structure provides clear milestones while remaining flexible enough to accommodate creative discovery. Our engineers maintain detailed session documentation, ensuring technical consistency across multiple recording dates and enabling efficient revision cycles. File organization and backup protocols protect project assets throughout the production timeline.
Collaborative Creative Process
We view production as a partnership between artist vision and technical execution. Initial consultations establish aesthetic goals and identify reference materials that communicate desired sonic characteristics. Throughout recording and mixing, we present options and explain technical tradeoffs rather than imposing predetermined approaches. Regular playback sessions ensure alignment between technical decisions and creative intent, with revision opportunities built into our standard workflow.
Continuous Professional Development
Our team maintains technical proficiency through ongoing education in emerging audio technologies, format standards, and production techniques. We participate in professional audio engineering organizations and attend industry technical sessions. This commitment ensures our methods remain current with evolving distribution platforms and playback systems while preserving fundamental principles of sound quality and musical communication.
Quality Verification Standards
Before delivering final masters, we conduct systematic quality checks across multiple monitoring environments. This includes verification of technical specifications for target platforms, analysis of frequency balance and dynamic range, and listening tests on consumer-grade playback systems. Our quality assurance process identifies potential issues with format compatibility, metadata completeness, and sonic translation to different listening contexts.
Our Team
Experienced audio professionals with diverse backgrounds in music production, sound design, and audio education
Takumi Hayashi
Lead Audio Engineer
Fifteen years of experience in recording and mixing across genres from orchestral to electronic. Specializes in large-format console operation and analog signal processing. Previously worked at major Tokyo recording facilities before co-founding Sound Wave.
Reiko Matsuda
Sound Design Specialist
Background in film post-production and game audio with expertise in spatial audio implementation. Holds certifications in Dolby Atmos and immersive audio formats. Manages post-production workflow and client communication for multimedia projects.
Kenji Tanaka
Education Director
Develops and delivers technical training programs covering production software, mixing techniques, and music theory. Former university lecturer with focus on practical audio engineering skills. Coordinates student projects and industry mentorship opportunities.
Values & Expertise
Core Values
- Technical precision in all aspects of audio production
- Honest communication about project requirements and limitations
- Respect for artistic vision and creative autonomy
- Commitment to ongoing technical and professional development
- Fair and transparent business practices
Technical Expertise
- Multi-track recording with various microphone techniques
- Digital and analog mixing console operation
- Mastering for streaming, broadcast, and physical media
- Spatial audio production and format delivery
- Audio restoration and forensic processing
Industry Positioning
Sound Wave occupies a position in Tokyo's audio production landscape characterized by technical capability and practical service delivery. Our facility caters to projects requiring professional-grade equipment and experienced engineering staff, from independent artist recordings to commercial post-production work. We maintain relationships with session musicians, mastering engineers, and distribution services to support comprehensive production needs.
Our competitive advantage lies in the combination of technical proficiency, diverse genre experience, and flexible workflow accommodation. We work efficiently with established artists who require minimal guidance while providing detailed instruction for emerging producers developing their technical skills. This adaptability allows us to serve various client segments within the music production and audio post-production markets.
Start Your Next Project
Connect with our team to discuss your production requirements and explore how our facility and expertise can support your creative goals