Renault transforms a Master unit into the future of music with this "Soundtrack"

Passion often leads to innovation, and in the world of music, creativity knows no limits. Renault has surprisingly demonstrated this with its latest project: the transformation of a Master unit, of which they recently presented their hydrogen version in partnership with HYVIA, into a “soundtruck“, a mobile professional recording studio that has left the music industry impressed. This soundtruck is not only a remarkable technical achievement, but it also aims to democratize music production by making professional recording accessible to everyone. In this article, we will explore the stages and challenges of this bold creation, along with the key players behind this exciting initiative.

The “soundtruck” from Renault is not a simple conversion of a commercial vehicle; it is a masterpiece of engineering and design. To carry out this transformation, Renault collaborated with two experts in sound architecture and bodywork: Red House and Pro Car. This unusual collaboration aimed to turn a Renault Master unit into a complete mobile recording studio, which posed unique challenges.

“We had a long list of requirements when building this vehicle. It had to house a professional recording studio, weigh less than 3.5 tonnes so it could be driven with a standard B licence, use sustainable materials and, most importantly, maintain the essence of the brand. Weight is checked at every stage of the project, whether during insulation work, acoustic treatment, or finishing and furnishing. We have been very careful not to add even 1 unnecessary gram,” explains Annejela Royoux, head of image partnerships and sponsorship at Renault.

The relationship between weight and sound

The complex relationship between weight and sound quality in the “soundtruck” was one of the greatest challenges. To achieve the desired acoustic quality without exceeding the weight limit, meticulous calculations were carried out and materials were carefully selected. Julien Ravary, associate acoustician and studio designer at Red House, emphasises the choice of materials: “We selected materials based on their rigidity and weight, and adapted them to our needs. We opted for environmentally friendly insulating materials instead of using rock wool or glass wool.”

In addition to weight, space was another challenge. Converting a Master unit into a mobile recording studio within the limited 9 m³ of space was a real challenge. They had to create two separate areas, one for the singer and another for the control room, while keeping the driver’s cab. Lucas Medus, founder and artistic director of Red House, explains: “It was a challenge to fit everything we wanted within the vehicle’s constraints. We split the truck in two to isolate the voice of the sound engineer and the voice amplifier.”

Designed and built to measure

This impressive project required the collaboration of various highly specialised teams. Pro Car, for example, mobilised a team of 20 people, including metal carpenters, bodywork specialists, painters, plastic artists, installers, finishers and electricians. Most astonishingly, they managed to complete the project in less than 6 months, a record time for a transformation of this scale.

The design and ergonomics of the “soundtruck” were tailored to the needs of Youssoupha, ambassador of the Give Me 5 initiative and a prominent figure in the rap industry. The sense of spaciousness was achieved through exclusive design elements, such as dark colours and a combination of light wood and dark fabric, creating a welcoming and spacious atmosphere.

Renault Master engines

Renault has developed a broad family of diesel engines based on the 2.3 dCi “twin-turbo” engine, offering up to six variants of it. Specifically, in the models the brand calls Furgón Tracción (front-wheel drive, FWD), turbodiesel engines of 135, 150 and 180 CV are fitted, meeting Euro 6d-Temp standards. All are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the two most powerful can also be combined with a six-speed automated gearbox.

For the variants of the Renault Master that the French brand considers “heavy” or large models, which require greater traction and which it calls Furgón Propulsión, being rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions, dCi variants of 130, 145 and 165 CV are used instead. In these cases, a twin-wheel configuration is available as an option.

The range is completed by the Renault Master Z.E., a fully electric version designed for urban and “last-mile” delivery. It features an electric motor of 57 kW, equivalent to 77 CV, and a 33 kWh lithium-ion battery providing a range of 120 kilometres. The charging flap is located on the right side of the cab and, according to the manufacturer, charging the battery with a wallbox at 7 kW takes six hours.

Renault Master Soundtrack image gallery