Introduction and History

Ketebul Music is a not for profit non governmental organization based at the GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ketebul means “drum sticks”; the word is derived from the Luo language of Western Kenya. The name was a natural choice for an organization that has a vision of an African society that celebrates its cultural identity and also recognizes the special role that artistes play every day in people’s lives.

Our Mission Statement

To Identify, preserve, conserve and to promote the diverse music traditions of East Africa

History

Ketebul Music was established in early 2007 with the ambitious vision to carry out research and promote the diverse fusion of traditional sounds of Kenya and East Africa through the documentation and archiving of the work of musicians who have shaped the various genres of music from the region over the past six decades. In broader terms, intensive research carried out by Ketebul Music involves the musicians themselves, their families, industry players such as producers and promoters, media personalities and the market audience.

Memorable archiving is achieved through intensive academic research reports released along with a market-friendly package from each phase of research. The package comprises of a shorter, but succinct, popular version of the academic report and is contained in an attractively designed booklet. To reinforce it is an audio CD featuring re-releases of previous recordings along with a video documentary carrying intensive interviews, analyses, stage performances and archive footage.

Services

Audio Recording and Production
We specialise in both traditional and contemporary African music, with an emphasis on live recorded instruments as opposed to sequenced sounds. We believe in keeping the music as authentic and organic as possible.
Our studios, based at the GoDown Arts Centre, boast two fully equipped analogue and digital studios.

Studio A

This is our main studio which has large sound booth set up to handle live multi track recordings for bands. The control room is equipped with a Mac Pro, running on Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Reason, Cubase and Nuendo. We are also equipped with rack mounted outboard units including;

• Digi 002
• Korg Triton Rack
• Yamaha Motif
• TC Electronics Finilizer
• Focusrite Pre Amp
• Proverb Effects Processor
• Tascam CD, tape and ADAT units
• MOTU midi timepiece

Studio B

This is our project studio, designed to handle vocal recording, guitar and single instrument multi track sessions. Also running on Logic, Cubase and Nuendo, Studio B also has outboard equipment such as,

• Digi 002
• Korg Triton Workstation
• Roland Phantom XR Sampler
• Tascam CD and tape unit
• M Audio midi intrface

Services Offered

• Live multi track recording
• Digital programming
• Voice over recording
• Studio Hire
• Post production services
• Multimedia Conversions (Tapes, ADAT, CDs, Vinyl)

Video Production, recording and editing suite

Ketebul Music recently ventured into video production.  We specialize in research based documentaries, on the origins and development or traditional sounds, music, and culture of East Africa. These documentaries form part of the cultural archives that Ketebul Music is in the process of establishing. Through this audio visual archive, Ketebul Music will process and store material on the origins and development East African music genres.

We also offer services for the production of music videos.

Our editing suite is equipped with a Mac Pro, running Final Cut Pro and Adobe CS4.

Services Offered

• Video Recording
• Editing
• Editing Suite Hire
• Camera Hire
• Hire of personnel and crew
• Multimedia Conversions (VHS Tapes, DVDs, VCDs, Mini DVs)