The only thing you see is the real thing.

These are not exhibits about how music is made. These are real music professionals working on real projects.

These are the professional spaces where the creativity happens, but here you're allowed to witness everything that goes on - the struggle, the excitement, the joy, the spirit, the irreproducible moments of artistry.

On the air

It's one of Atlanta's premier radio stations, and it's right here in the Zoo. You'll witness live broadcasts and webcasts. You'll see original shows in production as well as regular daily programming being created and broadcast from our studios.

We regularly invite Museum visitors to join us on air as DJs or studio guests. Introduce recordings, participate in talk shows, discuss your favorite artists/sounds, and meet the people behind the microphones.

Now recording

The Zoo also features a complete commercial recording studio, working day and night.

You'll witness the interaction between artists, producers and engineers while they experiment with new sounds. You'll see how tunes are taken apart and put back together as the artists layer each track and blend different elements. You may even get lucky and experience the live recording of a new hit record.

In session

What really goes on in a rehearsal? What does a piece sound like the first time musicians play it? How does it take shape over time? Look in on our rehearsal rooms to find out.

You'll see a variety of artists-in-residence (as well as musicians from the community) preparing for upcoming performances, new works being shaped, choirs finding their rhythm, and soloists honing their technique to perfection.