Broadcasting industry specialist AudioMango has made a sound investment in the shape of a Mercedes-Benz Vito kitted out as a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio.
The Brighton-based business is now using the sleek, stylish vehicle to take its expertise and equipment directly to customers nationwide. It is available for hire by broadcasting and recording artists across a wide range of disciplines and genres, and is ideally configured for creators of podcast content.
The mobile studio is based on an Approved Used Vito 119 CDI SELECT variant supplied by Dealer Rossetts Commercials, which represents Mercedes-Benz Vans from branches in Sussex, Surrey and north Hampshire.
Powered by a range-topping 190hp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, which drives through a smooth-shifting, nine-speed 9G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, the extra long-bodied L3 Vito came with seating for up to eight people, arranged in three rows on a flexible rail system.
The SELECT trimline incorporates external enhancements such as colour-coded bumpers, a chrome grille, and distinctive, 17-inch alloy wheels, while also adding TEMPMATIC air-conditioning and a chrome interior package. Other specification highlights include automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, and a Multifunction steering wheel with trip computer.
The vehicle was less than a year old and had covered just 2,400 miles when AudioMango purchased it. Not only was most of the original, three-year, unlimited mileage warranty still intact, but it also came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free, 24-hour roadside assistance in the unlikely event of a breakdown.
Southeastern Coachworks, of Faversham, Kent, refashioned the interior to meet its customer’s exacting requirements. The passenger compartment is now packed with cutting-edge recording and broadcasting equipment, yet still spacious enough for five comfortable seats, arranged facing inwards. These are upholstered in luxurious diamond-quilted leather with contrasting piping, and there is also a fridge to provide chilled refreshments.
The ‘one-of-a-kind’ Vito is the brainchild of AudioMango founder Gavin Fenton, who boasts a track record of more than 20 years in the broadcast and recording industry, and has worked with national radio stations and legendary nightclubs.
“The music, events and live performances sector has been hit really hard by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “Hopefully, the worst is behind us now, but we’re still a long way from being back to normal. While restrictions, and people’s legitimate safety concerns, are a fact of life, we wanted to find a solution that would allow high-calibre audio content to be created in a secure environment – to give our customers, and ourselves, a way to carry on working.”
Equipped with top-quality recording and editing apparatus, including five microphones, the mobile studio is available to hire in a range of packages, all of which include a sound engineer and post-production audio, with options such as a dedicated theme song created by one of AudioMango’s music producers.
“Over the past year I’ve noticed a steep decline in the technical quality of podcasts,” continued Gavin. “A recording needs all the help it can get to gain maximum exposure, which is why I created AudioMango’s mobile studio. We offer a realistic solution to enhance our clients’ brands today, paving the way for their future.”
Having resolved to create their specialised vehicle, Gavin and his team researched the market to identify the most suitable base. “We considered several alternatives but the Vito was the clear winner,” he recalled. “None of the others offered the same combination of premium brand image, style and comfort in a perfectly sized package.
“The interior is roomy enough to provide a comfortable working space yet the Vito is also relatively compact, making it easy to drive and park. From behind the wheel, it’s also a really smooth ride and the zonal air-conditioning is excellent.”
The Vito is a hit with AudioMango’s customers too. “The feedback has been amazing,” reported Gavin. “We’ve kept the exterior low-key and unliveried, so that when it turns up on a customer’s drive it looks as though it’s there to whisk them off to a film premiere or awards ceremony! The effect is only magnified when people step inside – everyone has been wowed by the amount of space, level of equipment, and atmosphere of luxury we’ve managed to incorporate into the design.
“The fact that we were able to buy an almost-new vehicle from Rossetts Commercials, with an ideal specification and at a very attractive price, was a welcome bonus. The acquisition process was managed very smoothly and professionally, and I was very impressed with the customer service that Sales Executive John Lomas and his colleagues were able to provide, despite the pandemic. The experience has been an extremely positive one. We’re delighted with our Vito and so, most importantly, are our customers.”
www.audiomango.com