March 2025
Sonic Perfection in Paradise - How MUTEC Transformed This Fuerteventura Studio
Andy Down blends cutting‑edge technology with a relaxed, creative atmosphere in his studio on Fuerteventura - including the MUTEC REF10 NANO reference clock. In this interview, he shares insights about his career, his studio, and his experiences with MUTEC.
Andy Down & MUTEC - High‑End Audio in a Creative Studio Environment
For over 25 years, Andy Down has worked as a sound engineer and producer. His career began in 1995 in Munich, where he founded Andy's Recording Studio. He later moved to the renowned Waters Edge Studios in Schondorf am Ammersee, Southern Germany, where artists such as Lou Bega, No Angels, Bro'Sis, Glow, and Die Happy recorded their music. Today, he runs his own studio on Fuerteventura - a retreat equipped with high‑end technology, set in the inspiring landscape of the Canary Islands. The studio blends cutting‑edge technology with a relaxed, creative atmosphere. Alongside local artists, international musicians and producers also work there. To learn more about his work and his experiences with MUTEC products, we spoke with Andy.
Perfect Sound - Andy's Journey to the MUTEC REF10 NANO
Like many audio professionals, Andy Down is always in search of sonic perfection. The crucial impulse for his studio's latest upgrade came from Fritz Fey - editor-in‑chief of German Studio Magazin, an acoustics expert, and a longtime companion. He introduced Andy to the idea of exploring 10 MHz reference clocks. At first, Andy was skeptical. I always thought: My converter has a good internal clock, so why would I need an external one?
, he recalls. But after discussions with Fritz Fey and Nick Letwin from Mastering Mansion Pro Audio, the Spanish MUTEC distributor for professional audio products, he was convinced to test the MUTEC REF10 NANO.
The Aha Moment: More Depth, More Precision, More Dimension
Andy remembers the moment he integrated the 10 MHz reference clock generator into his system: I had connected the REF10 NANO without paying particular attention to changes. Then I listened to a mix in progress, and my colleague suddenly said:
Wow, you've made a huge leap forward in the mix!
But I hadn't changed anything - except for the clock.
A direct A/B comparison confirmed the difference: Without the clock, everything sounded smaller. With the REF10 NANO, the soundstage became wider and deeper, the details clearer, and the mix more open.
Instrument positioning also improved significantly. For optimal signal transmission, Andy uses the MUTEC PSC 75, a high‑quality 75‑ohm BNC cable.
Andy's Recording Studio - Where Creativity Meets Technology
On Fuerteventura, Andy Down has created a studio that combines professional technology with an environment that fosters creativity and relaxation. Here, artists can focus entirely on their work while embracing creative freedom. His concept: high‑end technology in a relaxed atmosphere that brings out the best in every musician. The studio offers top‑tier analog and digital equipment and covers a wide range of musical styles - from rock, metal, and blues to Spanish pop and reggaeton. In addition to premium studio gear and an extensive selection of musical instruments, an experienced team of musicians and sound engineers supports artists throughout the entire production process.
Fuerteventura's unique climate, endless beaches, and tranquil atmosphere provide the ideal setting for musicians to fully concentrate on their craft. This combination makes Andy's Recording Studio a truly special place.
Conclusion
For Andy Down, choosing the MUTEC REF10 NANO was a turning point. I never thought an external clock could change my workflow so much - the sonic improvement is not just audible but tangible.
In Andy's studio, cutting‑edge audio technology and creative freedom merge into a unique synergy - with MUTEC as an essential component.