One of the most common reasons music doesn’t work properly in a space is simple:
People think a “zone” is a technical thing.
It isn’t.
A zone isn’t a cable, device, or app. A zone is a space with a clear purpose.
What a music zone actually is
A music zone is a part of your space where music has the same role and the same tempo.
It could be an entire restaurant. Just the terrace. A hotel lobby. A wellness area.
A zone isn’t every room. Isn’t every speaker. Isn’t every playlist.
A zone is a logical unit—not a technical division.
Before you start: one question
Before any setup, ask yourself:
What do people do in this space?
| Activity | Music Approach | Key Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting | Calm, slow tempo | Reduce perception of time |
| Eating | Stable rhythm | Support the pace of the meal |
| Talking | Music in background | Don't dominate conversation |
| Relaxing | Slower tempo | Deepen the sense of rest |
Guest activity determines the music approach
If you know the answer to that question, you’ve already defined your zone.
Five steps to your first zone
Zone Setup Methodology
Choose one space
Don’t try to solve the entire property or introduce multiple zones at once.
Choose one space: the main dining room, hotel lobby, the busiest part of your property.
The goal of your first zone isn’t perfection. It’s stability.
Define the time frame
Every space has at least two modes: day and evening.
For now, this is enough:
- Day — neutral, open atmosphere
- Evening — warmer, slower energy
You don’t need five modes. You need one clear transition.
Choose tempo, not songs
The most common mistake: “Which playlist should we play?”
The right approach: choose tempo and density—not hits. Avoid recognizable songs. Think “background,” not “foreground.”
If guests notice the music, it’s probably too present.
Set the volume once
Volume shouldn’t change every 10 minutes. Shouldn’t depend on staff mood.
Set it so that:
- Conversation flows without effort — no need to raise voices
- Music fills the silence — doesn’t dominate it
- No one needs to “turn it up” — the level just works
If staff constantly adjusts the volume, the zone isn’t well-defined.
Observe the space
For the first few days:
- Watch guest behavior — are they comfortable, relaxed?
- Listen to staff comments — what do they notice?
- Note how often someone wants to “interfere” — that’s a warning sign
A good zone doesn’t demand attention. Doesn’t provoke complaints. It “disappears” into the space.
Common mistakes with the first zone
Too many changes at once — You want to fix all zones in a week. That doesn’t work.
Recognizable songs — Hits attract attention. The guest returns to the context where they last heard that song—they don’t stay in your space.
Constantly changing settings — Every shift has its preferences. That destroys consistency.
Trying to “please everyone” — A zone doesn’t need to impress. It needs to support the space.
When you know the zone is set up right
That’s the sign that music is doing its job—quietly.
Next step: the second zone
Only when the first zone runs stable and requires no intervention does it make sense to add a second zone or introduce clearer dayparting.
Conclusion
Setting up your first music zone isn’t a technical project.
It’s a decision. Clarity. Understanding your space.
When a zone is set up right, music stops being a topic.