I vowed I'd never do this again

Hey there,

You can't have everything you want, they say.

What do they know, my typical response.

On Friday I visited my new under-construction studio space.

The owners of the building are upgrading the lounge and control room by adding 4 inches of rigid fiberglass to half the walls, covered by vertical wood slats.

After stressing over room acoustics on previous builds, I vowed I would never do such again.

We're all different. We all have different needs for a space.

Mixing is important to me, but you can't mix what was never made, and I can only do the making when my favorite toys and tools are in arm's reach, plugged in, fired up and ready to go.

Yet I found myself, with my entire family in-tow, lugging my 20-year-old Mackie 624s that I keep around for moments like these, a d

iscontinued UAD Arrow interface, a measurement mic, and a fresh download of Room EQ Wizard.

What's the harm in a quick pre-wood-slat room sweep? I'll compare the results to a subsequent post-wood-slat room sweep (sans family in-tow).

I know how this works. More than a few of you will have strong opinions on my test results. Some will suggest I rip everything back to the studs. Others will suggest, with gentleness, that I consider a new hobby.

Then I'll waste a few hours on acoustics forums, watching a bunch of nerds (we're all nerds, back off) fight over the validity of the 38% rule.

What's more important? Lock in the mixing environment at all costs, or roll with my trusty headphones and make sure the candle and mood lighting game is on point?

20 years of trial and error has me confident in my answer, but I'll hang up and listen to what's important to you.

Talk soon,

Jon

P.S. Last call on the Somerville Summer Sale. It ends Tuesday.