Team Sonic
We’re a small, passionate team at Sonic Nursery who genuinely love what we do. Each of us brings our own skills and personality to the studio, but our goal is the same—to create a comfortable, creative space where artists can feel at home and make their best work.
Whether it’s recording an album, mixing for film, or tweaking the fine details of a track, we’re here to support every step of the way. We’re proud to work across different genres and styles, and we believe that the process should feel just as good as the final product.
Owner, Producer, Audio Engineer
Ruan Vos is the head engineer, producer, and owner of Sonic Nursery. With over a decade of sound engineering experience, Ruan brings a passion for producing and shaping albums from the ground up. He loves being involved in every step of the process—from rehearsing with bands to delivering the final, polished masters. As the studio owner, he oversees every project with a meticulous eye for detail, ensuring that each one receives the care and attention it deserves.
Ruan’s journey into music began when he picked up his first guitar and formed a band in Grade 7. This early passion for music eventually led him into sound production, where he discovered a love for the technical side of creating music. After earning qualifications in guitar and sound production, Ruan gained extensive experience working in Cape Town’s top studios. His dedication and hands-on approach helped him build strong relationships with artists, eventually leading to the creation of Sonic Nursery—a space where artists can feel at home and create freely.
Ruan works across various genres, with a special focus on rock ‘n’ roll and acoustic music, although he’s always open to new musical challenges. He takes pride in creating environments where artists feel comfortable to explore and trust him with their creative vision. Outside of the studio, Ruan enjoys trail running, spending time with his band, Sold Ash, and cherishing quality moments with friends and family.
Audio Engineer, Drummer
Dolf Lombard is one of Sonic Nursery’s versatile audio engineers, with a unique specialty in drums. A seasoned drummer himself, Dolf brings his keen ear and deep understanding of rhythm to every session, ensuring that anything drum and percussion-related shines through in the mix. His journey into audio began in childhood, recording himself drumming on makeshift “kits” and capturing ideas on tape—a passion that eventually led him to study sound engineering at SAE Institute in Cape Town.
Known for his adaptability, Dolf has experience across a range of genres, offering artists not only technical expertise but also the option to add live drums to their tracks, bringing an authentic and dynamic touch to any project. Dolf loves the joy of seeing artists light up when their vision is brought to life in a mix, and he takes pride in going the extra mile to deliver exceptional results. He has a great range of experience working in studios in South Africa, and is an excellent live mix engineer as well. Amongst Dolf’s proudest achievements is the South African Metal Music Awards nomination his band, Halvar, received.
Outside of the studio, Dolf is a fitness enthusiast and an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, finding balance between his love for music and physical challenges. He plays drums as a permanent member in several more bands (such as Moondaygun and Sold Ash).
Audio Engineer, Post Production
Reuben Kaplan is a versatile audio engineer at Sonic Nursery, bringing years of experience in post-production and final mix. His journey into audio engineering began with a love for music—listening to Neil Young and Talking Heads tapes as a kid—and later evolved into a deep fascination with sound. Reuben’s academic background in linguistics and sound technology, combined with his passion for music, has shaped his approach to both audio engineering and production. His role at Sonic Nursery is ever-evolving, from his involvement in larger sessions to managing expansive post-production projects, always with a keen desire to learn and grow.
Reuben’s unique contribution to the team is his extensive experience in post-production, particularly final mix. His background includes working on a variety of projects, with one of his proudest moments being the release of The Delicious Monsters’ debut EP, a project he recorded, produced, and mixed with his band during the pandemic. He also enjoys helping the team with research and development and is always up for tackling new and exciting challenges.
What excites Reuben most about working in the studio is the collaborative nature of the process. He thrives on working closely with artists, helping to bring their creative visions to life, and believes that collaboration can unlock new and unexpected possibilities. Outside of the studio, Reuben is a keen rock-climber, video game and board game enthusiast, and plays drums in two bands, NANI?! and The Delicious Monsters.