HeartBeat Studio Malta

HeartBeat Studio Malta describes its work in one plain sentence: it is a professional audio recording studio. The facility can handle several kinds of music and sound projects, from a local band recording its first songs to a brass band capturing a full ensemble, and from soundtrack work to the finer craft of sound design for screen. It is in Birkirkara, one of the largest towns in the central part of the island, and it is listed with the island's recording studios in Malta.

This page explains what each service means for a UK visitor or musician considering Malta for a recording session, then sets out how to get in touch through us.

Recording bands, covers and brass bands

The studio records cover versions, local bands and brass bands. For a band, a studio session means capturing each instrument cleanly, balancing the players and producing a recording that can be mixed and released. Cover versions are a common choice for singers building a portfolio, and local bands often use a studio to produce demos or a first release.

Brass bands deserve a mention because they are a distinctive part of Maltese life. Towns and villages keep their own band clubs, and the bands play at religious feasts and civic events throughout the summer. A studio able to record a full brass band is therefore useful to the local music scene, and visitors who enjoy that tradition can read more about island culture in our guide to Malta and our Valletta guide.

Soundtracks, sound design, Foley and ADR

Beyond music, the studio handles soundtracks and the technical sound work that goes into film, television and video. Sound design means building or shaping sounds for a project, such as atmospheres, effects and textures that support the picture. Foley is the art of recreating everyday sounds, like footsteps or the rustle of clothing, in time with the action on screen.

ADR stands for automated dialogue replacement. It is the process of re-recording an actor's lines in a studio so that speech is clear and matches the picture, which is common when location audio is noisy. Film-makers considering Malta as a base may also want to read our guide to the Malta corporate tax structure and our overview of financial services in Malta.

Classes in live sound and ADR

HeartBeat Studio also offers classes, with introductory courses in live sound and in ADR. Live sound is the craft of amplifying and mixing a band or speaker at an event, and an introduction can be useful for anyone who volunteers to run the sound for a band club, church or community event. The ADR class gives a first taste of dialogue replacement work.

The studio does not publish class dates or prices, so ask when you contact us. Anyone thinking of staying in Malta for a longer course can compare options in our UK guide to relocating to Malta and our digital nomad guide to Malta.

Visiting and getting started

The studio is on Triq l-Imsida in Birkirkara. It is well placed for visitors who are staying elsewhere in the centre of the island, and our guide to where to stay in Malta compares the main areas. If you plan to combine a session with sightseeing, our page on things to do in Malta has ideas, and our flights to Malta guide covers travel from the UK.

The studio's own site is short and does not give prices, so describe your project clearly: the type of music or audio, how many people will take part and when you plan to be in Malta. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the studio, who will reply to you directly.