The Main Production Suite 

The Main Production Suite consists of a completely automated Control Area and two Isolation Rooms. Most of the music recording and mixing - in addition to the bulk of all Audio Post Production is performed here. The Main Production Suite is a true Audio Post environment for recording, finishing, mixing, ADR, Foley, and voiceover work.

The interiors of the Main Production Suite were specially designed and constructed by Dark Tower Studio Design, using building materials possessing high NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) and STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings. An NRC rating is a single number average of absorption at frequencies between 125Hz and 4KHz. The higher the number rating, the greater the level of absorption. An STC rating is a number average determining how effective a material is at being a sound barrier against frequencies between 125Hz and 4KHz. The higher the number rating, the greater that material is at being an effective sound barrier.

A special layout for the Main Production Suite was designed, helping to smooth out any potential hot spots and nulls. Standing waves and flutter echoes were eliminated without removing the acoustic energy from the space or changing the frequency content of the sound. 

The interiors of the Main Production Suite were then treated with high-quality Aurelex Acoustic Treatment, further increasing the NRC ratings of the Isolation Rooms and Control Area. Schematic planning and intensive research insured proper blend and placement of absorption, diffusion, and low frequency control treatments. 

The overall design was evaluated and approved by a certified acoustical engineer from Aurelex Acoustics, using the most current acoustical modeling software to test room acoustics and isolation, industrial noise control, measurement of room response for modes and anomalies, measurement of noise levels, RT and speech intelligibility measurements.

Isolation Room 1 (not shown): 
This room is approximately 5' x 5', and is modestly sized to provide a recording area for miking amplifiers, instruments, vocals, voiceover/
narration and "looping" (ADR).

Isolation Room 2 (not shown): This room is approximately 7' x 9', and provides a recording area that can accommodate miking of larger amplifiers, drum kits, in addition to small vocal or instrument groups. Foley work, voiceover/narration, and "looping" (ADR) can be performed in this room as well.

Control Area (shown above): This is the "command center" of the entire facility. The Control Area is equipped with a Mackie D8B console. This console is used as a "front end" mixer and editor while porting into a dedicated 600mHz Pentium III PC which hosts a 64-track Pro Tools/24 MIXplus system. The Control Area also boasts other outboard equipment such as an automated VCR and video monitor, various effects processors, a Tascam DA-20 MK II DAT recorder, and a Tascam DA-78 MDM. Oufitted with Yamaha surround sound reference monitors, the Control Area is standardized for optimal music and Audio Post Mixing. The initial phases of CD Authoring (Pre-Mastering/Mastering/Re-Mastering) are also performed in the Control Area.

Studio A is often unofficially and colloquially referred to as "Sanctuary", "The Alchemist’s Den", "The Bridge", or "The Black Box".