A Brief History of Recording Studios in Armenia
Armenia has a rich musical heritage that dates back centuries, blending folk traditions with classical, jazz, and modern influences. The development of recording studios in Armenia has played a crucial role in preserving and shaping the country’s musical landscape. From the Soviet era to today’s cutting-edge studios like Ponx Studios, the evolution of recording spaces has helped Armenian artists reach global audiences.
During the Soviet Union, Armenia's music industry was tightly controlled by state institutions. The primary recording facility was Melodiya, the USSR's state-run record label. Melodiya had a branch in Yerevan, which became the main hub for recording Armenian musicians. Many of Armenia’s most iconic artists, including Aram Khachaturian, Komitas interpretations, Hovhannes Badalyan, and Rouben Matevosyan, had their works recorded and distributed through this system. The quality of these recordings was high for the time, often using Soviet-made reel-to-reel equipment, but creative freedom was restricted by government censorship.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia faced economic challenges, but this period also saw the rise of independent recording studios. As the country transitioned to a market economy, new opportunities emerged for musicians and producers.
Some of the first private studios in Yerevan included Ardzagank Studio and Pegasus Studio, which provided professional recording services for emerging rock, pop, and folk artists. These studios helped shape the sounds of the post-Soviet Armenian music scene, allowing bands like Bambir and other underground rock acts to record freely.
Today, Armenia boasts a growing number of high-quality recording studios that cater to diverse musical genres. Ponx Studios, based in Yerevan, is at the forefront of this evolution, offering cutting-edge sound design, mixing & mastering, podcast production, and film scoring services. Equipped with Moog analog synthesizers, Neumann microphones, and UAD interfaces, Ponx Studios provides artists with world-class production capabilities.
Other notable studios in Armenia today include DO Studio, Vibrographus, and Revolution Records, each contributing to the expanding recording industry in the country. The introduction of digital audio workstations (DAWs), AI-powered sound design, and immersive audio formats has transformed how music is recorded and produced.
Over the years, many prominent Armenian artists have recorded in local studios, including:
As Armenia’s music industry continues to grow, recording studios are playing a vital role in developing the next generation of musicians. With AI-driven production, Dolby Atmos mixing, and innovative artist services, Ponx Studios is set to shape the future of recording in Yerevan and beyond. Whether for film soundtracks, podcasts, or album production, Armenian studios now provide world-class services at competitive prices, making the country an attractive destination for international artists as well.
The history of recording in Armenia is one of resilience and innovation, evolving from state-controlled studios to today’s independent creative hubs. As artists continue to push boundaries, studios like Ponx are ready to support their journey with the best in modern audio production.
