Based in Leipzig, Germany, OB and broadcast rental company KeuleSound is a family-run business now in its second generation. The latest evolution of the business has been its most groundbreaking yet: transforming its OB van into Germany’s first Dolby Atmos-equipped mobile production unit designed specifically for high-end music recording, with Genelec at its heart.

To achieve his immersive Atmos vision, Martin Staffe, Managing Director of KeuleSound, turned to a 7.1.4 Genelec Smart Active Monitoring system. The setup includes three 8341A monitors for the LCR positions, eight 8330A monitors for the surround and overhead channels, a 7360A subwoofer and the 9301B interface for bass management. “With Genelec, I could get a complete system solution that would handle all aspects of room adaptation,” Staffe explains. “You have the option to switch the listening position. I can set up a sweet spot for the desk, then move it to a different place for the tonmeister (supervising sound engineer) sitting behind me.”

The compact size, SPL output, and pristine frequency response made Genelec monitors the perfect fit. Using GLM calibration software, Staffe customised listening positions to optimise workflows. “When I’m alone in the van, I’ll use the GLM setting optimised for my mixing position,” Staffe says. “When the supervising sound engineer comes in, we switch to their position. They get the whole picture because they’re listening to exactly what I’m hearing.”

The first playback was an unforgettable moment. “When I first listened to the system, it was an amazing feeling. You sit there, experience it for the first time, and the sound just embraces you. You have to cry because it sounds fantastic,” recalls Staffe. “I took my father to hear Atmos in the truck. He was so proud. He can’t see so well anymore, but he can still feel how the sound envelops you.”

With Germany’s first mobile Dolby Atmos OB unit for high-end music, Staffe and Genelec have redefined immersive music recording. “The Genelec monitors are so precise. If there’s a bad edit, they’ll reveal it,” Staffe states. “I now record every concert in Atmos and show people how it transforms their listening experience. It’s like sitting in the room with the audience. You can make sure people feel the full emotional impact of the music.”