Meet Our Talented Freelancers
Each bringing unique skills and experiences that ensure your projects stand out.
Ben Ludik
Ben Ludik – Producer, Engineer, Multi-Instrumentalist & Film Composer
Ben Ludik is an award-winning producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and film composer whose work is defined by both creativity and depth. He worked on film scores like Beauty, Die Wonderwerker, Vaselientjie and Moffie as well as with artists like, Loki Rothman, Raaf, Joshua na die Reen and many more.
His approach to music production blends artistic intuition with the precision of rigorous research methodology, allowing him to craft sounds that are innovative, authentic, and impactful.
Christi van der Colff
Producer, Composer, Recording & Mixing Engineer, Immersive Sound Specialist
Christi van der Colff is an award winning Engineer & Producer with over 25 years in the Music Industry. She won a SAMA (South African Music Award) for Best Engineer for her work on Zahara’s hit album ‘Loliwe’.
Christi is also known for her work with Grammy Award Winning Artist like Mumford and Sons, Black Eyed Peas, One Republic, Jennifer Hudson, Westlife, and Joyous Celebration.
Her work in film includes movies like Liefling, The Roar, Jagveld (Hunting Emma), Bhai’s Cafe, The Legend of Tarzan, The Giver, Intonga to name just a few.
You can find out more about Christi van der Colff at www.cvdcmedia.com
Chaylon J McCarthy
Recording & Mixing Engineer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer
Chaylon J McCarthy is a engineer, multi-instrumentalist and producer who graduated from Abbey Road Institute Johannesburg's Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering in March 2021.
His musical background started when he taught himself guitar at age 16 after listening to a Bon Iver record, and since then he’s been playing multiple instruments and building imaginative sonic pictures.
“I’ve always liked lofi, diy-style recording techniques. it sounds more natural to me.”
Chaylon is part of our team of inhouse technicians as well as continuing to work as a freelance session musician and producer. His keen ear for detail, and unique approach to production has been valuable in our student recordings and their personal projects.
Ilze Mazzone
Musician, Recording & Mixing Engineer, Composer, Producer & Vocal Coach
Ilse Mazzone is a distinguished musician, excelling in piano and voice, with a robust foundation in classical music, musical theatre, and jazz. She studied music at University of the Witwatersrand, having been mentored by Joyce Barker, Peggy Haddon, Bruce Cassidy, Denis Wilman, and Ricky Annandale.
Ilse has captivated audiences in leading roles for PACT at the State Theatre in Pretoria, performing alongside some of South Africa’s top artists.
She is a composer of Christian music and runs her own private singing studio, nurturing and training young artists. Ilse is also an Alumnus of the Abbey Road Institute Johannesburg where she completed an Advanced Diploma of Music Production and Sound Engineering.
Lein Nkosi
Recording & Mixing Engineer, Producer, Arranger & Multi-Instrumentalist
Lein Nkosi is a producer, engineer and multi instrumentalist. His interest in music began when he started playing drums at church, which kickstarted his fascination and appreciation for the world of harmony and arranging.
He completed his two music diplomas under the hands of highly esteemed Music Lectures in SA, which allowed him to develop his skill as a jazz pianist and develop his understanding of harmony, arranging.
Today, Lein specialises in arrangement and performing. Together with completing the Advanced Programme in Music Production and Sound Engineering at Abbey Road Institute Johannesburg, he has a holistic approach to music production and can combine his ability to arrange with the necessary technical aspect of engineering and production in any genre or project. Lein is also part of our inhouse team of technitians.
Thando Magwaza
Recording & Mixing Engineer
Thando Magwaza is a seasoned recording and mixing engineer whose journey in music production began at KZN Music House. His passion and technical expertise soon led him to Johannesburg, where he joined Mastermax Studios as a technician. Through dedication and a deep commitment to his craft, Thando rose to become the studio’s chief in-house engineer, honing his skills on a wide variety of projects and genres.
He later joined Studio Immersive, expanding his experience in cutting-edge audio production and immersive sound design. Today, Thando works as a freelance engineer and is proudly featured once again among the talented team at Mastermax Studios.
Over the years, Thando has worked with some of Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Lebo M, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makatini, Joyous Celebration, Khuli Chana, and many more. His ability to balance technical precision with a musical ear has made him a sought-after collaborator, trusted to bring out the very best in every performance he records or mixes.
Tyler Low
Recording & Mixing Engineer, Multi-Instrumentalist
Tyler Low completed the Advanced Programme in Music Production and Sound Engineering at Abbey Road Institute Johannesburg in 2022, after which he joined our team as a technician.
Before starting the course with us, he had previously studied music performance and sound technology, focussing particularly on composition after which he decided to shift focus towards production and recording.
Some highlights during his time on the course include playing and collaborating with fellow students to assistant engineering the live version of Deity’s Muse’s ERRA. Tyler also began working alongside Mijaelle Dewart of Musical Muse Development to record vocal students and help them with achieving their own goals.
He engineered the recording and mixing of multiple tracks with the group in our studios, making ample use of the skills he had learnt on the course, and he continues to work with them since graduating.
Jaziel Brothers
Producders, Artists, Songwriters, Composers
The Jaziel Brothers have spent more than a decade redefining South African music with their genre-bending sound and timeless classics. Born in the Eastern Cape and raised in Klerksdorp, they moved to Johannesburg in 1999 to study Popular Music, Music Business, Production, and Sound Engineering, later earning their National Diplomas.
Since their debut in 2007, they have achieved platinum sales, headlined sold-out concerts alongside legends like Oliver Mtukudzi and BeBe Winans, and provided music direction for the South African Music Awards. Through their company, Jaziel Music Productions, they’ve also been instrumental in artist development, songwriting, and music production, working with stars such as Jub Jub, Kelly Khumalo, Siphokazi, Big Nuz, Nathi, Vincent Bones, and many more.
Producer Spotlight: Mark Fransman (aka Sonik Citizen)
He has performed and worked with the likes of Pharaoh Sanders, Abdullah Ibrahim, Manu Dibango, Hubert Laws, Johnny Clegg, Finley Quay, Françios Jeanneau, Tony Cedras, Sibongile Khumalo, Louis Moholo, Winston Mankunku, René McLean, Zim Nqwana, Errol Dyers and Jimmy Dlu Dlu.
Mark has also shared the stage with such jazz artists as Yusef Lateef, Cedar Walton, Andrew Hill, Donald Brown, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Danilo Perez.
