Recording / Practice Studio Issues

Whether you have a home studio or a professional complex, everyone deals with unwanted reflections, standing waves and the need for accurate monitoring.

Often studios have dealt with the reflections using a variety of absorbents, Helmholtz resonators and/or a combination of bass traps. However, this can still leave problem fundamental frequencies untouched. Imaging is compromised, bass lacks definition and frequency response is inconsistent throughout the room. Vocals are harder to track and mix than they should be.

If you have applied a live end, dead end approach, you may have resolved many issues. However ceiling and sidewalls may need additional consideration to achieve the quality room you desire.

Fundamentals

The popular view of acoustical treatment involves soft products that absorb sound. While we apply this concept as well, we augment it with diffusion.

Diffusion doesn't only absorb sound waves but also scatters them. This redirects problem reflections and minimizes them, while at the same time leaving a natural sound in the space. This occurs at all frequencies, especially in the bass fundamental frequency range, which is harder to control and attenuate.

There are numerous forms of diffusion available and most are more costly then absorption. CS Acoustics uses a diffusion system that includes multiple units working in tandem with each other and the surrounding surface. As a result we are able to use a much smaller surface area footprint than absorption panels and yield a greater amount of reduction at a competitive price.

Absorption alone does not reduce low frequencies by a significant enough amount. If problematic fundamental frequencies are addressed correctly, mid and high harmonics are also more balanced. This is addressing reflections and other issues across the full frequency spectrum.

Impact

The balanced approach of adding diffusion along with absorption deals with many issues across the entire frequency spectrum.

As a result bass frequencies are surprisingly cleaner, louder and more accurate. Any detailed or complex music with a large compliment of tracks is more defined and fuller.

The room has better imaging throughout and even the quietest dynamics become more articulate. Vocal detail and many other subtle nuances are easier to capture and mix with less equalizing, more dynamic range and less listening fatigue.

Whatever the size of your studio, if you have problematic acoustical issues, we have some original concepts that provide greater results for less investment.

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Case Study: Private Studio – Kitchener, ON

Features: Pro Tools using a control 24 surface with a fine complement of pre-amps, compressors and various outboard gear components. The four rooms include a large drum room, main large room with 22’ ceilings, guitar room and a vocal booth.

Issues: The main large room had serious reflections off of the side walls and existing treatment in front of the desk was not addressing low frequency issues and optimized imaging.

The mix position was in an irregularly shaped space which also compromised any proper imaging. Multiple phase and reflection issues were making accurate tracking and mixing almost impossible.

Application: CS Acoustics added a variety of different size diffusers to problematic surfaces and re-positioned existing absorbents and diffusers. These were calculated to address and eliminate a variety of frequency and phase related issues.

In addition a custom movable diffusion wall was added behind the mix position.

Impact: Tracking in the main large room is incredibly more accurate. Several phase related issues were resolved. The multiple issues that lead to many frustrating hours when it came to mixing were dealt with.

The imaging at mix position has a significantly flatter frequency response. Mixes are much quicker and more accurate.

The imaging is larger and more defined. Highs are cleaner and bass is balanced and tight. Vocals can be placed as desired within the mix with ease.

If you have grown used to a compromised tracking or mixing space, you will be amazed how much easier and faster it is to achieve your recording desires, often with less investment in the equipment itself.

Accurate room acoustics are surprisingly inspiring to the creative process and simplifying of many issues that may not have even been perceived as acoustically related!