India’s Award-winning Vivek Thomas on the Industry, Education, and Amphion

They are beautifully honest – just as the company tags itself

Kochi, India – Based on the tropical Malabar Coast overlooking the Arabian Sea in the SW corner of India, is the state of Kerala – a region renowned for its spice trade with the Romans, Chinese, Arabs, and Persians dating back to 3000 BC. Located in this idyllic region of India is the city of Kochi, and home to Vivek Thomas – a celebrated independent musician and producer, who is equally as comfortable behind an audio console as he is behind a microphone. India’s output in music and film is a vital part of its cultural identity and heritage, and is enormous. Immersed in that is Vivek, now with outstanding credits and experience, and we invited our local country distributor, Ansata, to interview him.

A record producer, mixing and mastering engineer, and musician … When/where did you get your “spark” from to enter this industry ? Where did you complete your studies in music and sound engineering, and was it difficult to make headway after graduation ? Any names that you can share with us – mentors or influencers – that helped you or shaped your vision along the way ?

From a very young age I had a keen interest in music. And church was a platform for me where I could sing, play guitar, learn, and watch over how the recording and production process happened. Once I finished school I was part of a band called “ SoulBurn”. We used to play original music and maybe a few Porcupine Tree covers. Recording, producing, and mixing for them is when I really got into the whole process. After a few years, I joined one of India’s iconic bands “Motherjane” as their lead vocalist which again took things to the next level.

I completed my grades in popular music vocals from London College of Music, and after that I finished my sound engineering studies at Chetana Sound Studios and Academy of Recording Arts, Thrissur, Kerala, India. I was already working for a few clients while studying, that I was obsessed with sound and improving my skills that things kept growing, and so did my clientele. Rex Vijayan from Avial was a huge inspiration and mentor for me growing up. Sunil Sylvester and Vivian Varghese were also great friends who inspired and helped me. My Mentors from Chetana – Saji R, Ganesh Marar, Sreejesh Nair – were pivotal in learning how the industry works and crafting my skills .

You are an award-winner at the IRAA – one of the most prestigious organisations in support of Indian music for movies and albums. Tell us a little about the mission of IRAA and also the works that you have been recognised for. Were these awards for your efforts as a musician or music producer or both ? And what music or film genre were they for ?

The Indian Recording Arts Academy Awards (IRAA) honour and recognise exceptional talent in music, soundtrack recording, and mixing in Indian music for albums and movies. The music awards similarly recognise innovation in music production and engineering that defines independent music culture. There are very few award ceremonies that honour the technical expertise behind song and music production, with most others restricting themselves to popular categories.

These awards are the first ever music awards in India that recognise the regularly forgotten technical fields of music recording and engineering talent in India. It recognises those who exhibit the courage and creativity to bring about a transformation in the world of music. At the 14th edition of IRAA, I won the best music producer award (non-film) for the song Khoj (Passing By) by When Chai Met Toast. As a producer, this is the greatest recognition that one can receive in the country.

Opened within your studio facility in 2020, what was the catalyst for starting this training enterprise ? How has the response been so far ? Tell us a little about the curriculum you offer and pathways you create for graduates, as well as your teaching team. What are some of the unique experiences or aspects of your academy that sets it apart from other large institutes ?

I started VTP Sound Academy in 2020 at Kochi (Kerala). The primary catalyst for starting this training enterprise was the recognition of a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive and practical music education for aspiring sound engineers and music producers. With the rapid growth of the independent music scene and the evolving demands of the music industry, it became evident that there was a need for high-quality training programs that could equip students with both artistic and technical skills.

The response to the VTP Academy has been overwhelmingly positive over the years. There has been a steady increase in enrolment numbers, reflecting the strong interest and trust in the quality of education we provide. At VTP Sound Academy, the curriculum is meticulously designed to cover a broad spectrum of essential skills in audio engineering and music production. Core subjects include mixing, mastering, sound design, music composition, and production techniques. Students have praised the hands-on learning approach and the real-world projects they get to work on, which significantly enhance their practical skills. Industry professionals have also acknowledged the academy’s contribution to producing well-trained graduates who are ready to meet the industry’s demands.

The teaching team at VTP Sound Academy comprises experienced industry professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The team I lead include notable instructors like Palee Francis, Devin Mathews, Febin George, and Sibin Wilson who are well-versed in both the technical and creative aspects of music production.

One of the key highlights is the personalised attention students receive due to smaller class sizes, allowing for a more tailored and immersive learning experience. The academy’s state-of-the-art facilities, including acoustically treated studios and cutting-edge equipment, provide an optimal environment for practical training. The academy also fosters a supportive and creative community culture, encouraging collaboration and innovation among students. This nurturing environment, combined with the expertise and dedication of the teaching team, makes VTP Sound Academy a standout choice for aspiring music professionals. The positive feedback and success stories from alumni further underscore the impact and effectiveness of our training program.

The Indian music media describe you as a producer that has “shaped ground-breaking acts”. What type of clients and music genres do you work with at VTP (Vivek Thomas Productions)? As a music producer, how do you extract the best from the artists seeking your services ? What’s your approach when working with new clients ? And do you have any recording projects that have been particularly memorable for you ?

At VTP we work with multiple genres and artists like When Chai Met Toast, Prabh Deep, Dhruv Viswanath, Pineapple Express, Bryden Parth, Seedhe Maut, Ranj & Cliffr, Frizzel D Souza, and many more.

As a mix engineer I always try to create a comfortable and supportive environment with my clients which I feel is very important for artists to feel free and express creatively. I always request rough demos from my clients. These demos communicate to me the core elements that resonate with the artist. I feel that it is essential to respect the artist’s vision and enhance it, rather than imposing one’s style to bring out the best mixes. When working with new clients I listen to their ideas and feedback which helps create a collaborative environment where they feel valued and heard. I always make sure to be flexible to balance out the artistic and technical aspects with my mixes.

You’ve been an Amphion user for many years now. Which models do you use, and when did you first learn about our brand ? Our India distributor Ansata was helpful in selection and setup ? Amphion claims its products deliver a wide range of sonic merits. Which of these stand out the most to you ie. ones that contribute consistently/definitively to your music product ?

I use the Amphion Two18s with the FlexBase25s. I have been a proud Amphion user for more than 7 years now. To be honest, I have tried so many brands but ended up picking the Amphion speakers because of how well my mixes translate to the real world after mixing on them. They are beautifully honest – just as the company tags itself. You can work with them for long hours without any fatigue. And for support, Ansata is the best in the business here. I’m so glad they handle Amphion. Their backup has been incredible.

Since Apple’s “big news” in May 2021 regarding Spatial Audio, what are your views on both the demand and future of this sonic experience, and the take-up of this format by studios in India ? Do you see yourself moving into this Dolby Atmos or 360 Reality Audio format any time soon ? What are some of the hurdles and merits of this format ?

The future of Immersive audio is full of promise. There’s a whole new set of tools and a whole new space to convey the emotion of the song. The demand for it is still not there yet, but I was able to adopt and learn about it quite early. At the moment I mix everything binaurally and I take it to a studio which is equipped with an Atmos setup to finalise the mixes. Hopefully in the near future, I would love to have a full fledged Atmos speaker system – with Amphions of course !

Follow Vivek Thomas on Instagram: instagram.com/vivekthomasproductions
Follow Vivek Thomas on Facebook: facebook.com/vivekthomasproductions
To learn more about VTP Studios and Academy: www.vtpstudios.com
To learn more about Ansata: ANSATA | Pro Audio | Live Sound | Data Security
To learn more about FlexBase25: FlexBase25 Bass Extension System | Amphion
To learn more about Two18: Two18 Studio Monitor | Amphion