The Control Room
Approx. 22' deep by 24' wide, the control room uses
the RFZ shape. The ceiling height is 15' at the back wall, and below the actual
ceiling there is a drop ceiling at 11' which adds some bass trapping. The
drop ceiling is a large floating panel in the center of the room- it does
not extend to the walls. Diffusor Blox along the rear wall provide diffusion
and LF absorption. The result is even bass response throughout the room. The
other walls are covered in birch, and the floor is concrete tinted with iron
oxide. Lighting is all incandescent. The Paul Henningsen fixtures produce
diffuse, soft light. There are 4 views out of this room: the main window to
the studio, a window to the "sound lock" corridor, and both control room doors
have windows. From the console position you can see through the small sound
lock and the booths to the outdoors.
Studio Main Room
Approx. 30' wide by 24' deep, this room uses Diffusor
Blox along its side walls and birch everywhere else. A floating drop ceiling
"cloud" is located 15' up to control vertical reflections. The actual ceiling
height is 16'. Performers can see into the control room, the sound locks and
the booths from most locations in this room. With minimal use of gobos, bands
can set up close together and get good results- off axis sounds have a pleasing
quality in this room. A PH Artichoke is the main light source, along with
natural light from windows in the booths. The floor is tinted concrete with
area rugs. At both ends of the room, massive ledges at 8' are useful locations
for room mics.
Major booth
Odd-shaped, approx. 12' by 15' with a 16' ceiling.
This booth can easily hold a piano, a drum set, or a lot of amps. The floor
is concrete, and there are windows to the outside on two of the walls. The
double doors into this booth have large glass panels, and there is a fixed
window between this room and the Minor Booth. The sound is live enough to
overcome the usual "iso booth" tone- this room sounds bigger than it is.
Minor booth
Odd-shaped, approx. 12' by 12' by 8' high. This room
is a slightly live version of the "classic" booth. The low ceiling allows
amps to fill the room with sound, for the useful "bedroom" tone. Popular with
guitar and bass players. Also just the thing for that contained, "studio"
piano sound!
Sound Locks
Odd-shaped areas formed by the shape of the control room.
The corridor between the living are and the control room is large enough to
use for vocalists or guitar amps, and has become a favorite place to get a
pretty explosive drum room sound. The equivalent area on the far side of the
control room is mainly a technical access space, but it has seen action for
amps and Leslie speakers.
Load-in Area
A small area 6' by 12' by 8' high, this is mainly
an entrance and storage area for cases- but we knew it would sound good for
something and so it is wired for mic inputs, and has a window in the door
for those wishing to hide out while still observing the action. So far it
has seen a lot of bass amp use.
Front Room
The front room is a place to relax, cook, read, listen to CDs, watch TV or
just hang out. We have complete kitchen and bathroom here, and French doors
open onto a big patio. You can make all the noise you want in this area without
bothering the session.
