Project Description
Overview
Created in collaboration with studio architect and acoustician John Storyk of Walters-Storyk Design Group, audioEngine’s Studio F (The Cabin) immerses clients in a luxuriously rustic 27 foot x 20 foot Adirondack-style log cabin environment. Features include rough hewn, highly polished floors, a hand-set stone fireplace (with a 65 inch Sharp LCD flat screen set in place of the traditional Yule log), hyper-elegant, custom furniture (including a ‘tree branch’ rocking chair), and a rear wall diffuser to enhance the pristine acoustics. A Digidesign Protools HD3 workstation running on an Apple MacPro; five Digidesign 192-1/O’s, a Mojo SDI and a world-class B&W 5.1 monitoring system featuring 803D mains, SCMS surrounds and an ASW855 sub counterpoint the rural aesthetics for this decidedly 21st Century audioEngine.
Dedicated to 5.1 Dolby-approved theatrical sound mixes, the calming, spa-like contemporary luxury of The French Quarter, Hillary Kew Martell’s chic, airy new 29 foot x 17 foot Studio E, houses a similarly powerful equipment package. Studio E features a Digidesign Protools HD3 workstation running on an Apple MacPro. To insure accuracy for demanding big screen theatrical advertising projects, aE partner/Director of Technical Operations Brian Wick stipulated a Martinsound Multimax EX system to control the commercial JBL theater spec main monitors and Bryston amplifiers. The surround arrays consist of three pairs of 8340’s, driven by three BST amplifiers. Nearfield speakers are self-powered KRK V4’s. In addition to three Sharp Aquos 32” LCD monitors, Studio E features a Sony VPLFE40 projector, a 122” diagonal Stewart screen. Motorized blackout shades control the natural light spilling in from the studio’s 3 oversized windows to replicate the movie house environment. Soothing neutral colors, polished bleached-maple floors and eye-catching RPG diffuser provide the ideal finishing touches to the showplace room. Both Studios E and F include spacious 100+ square foot isolation booths outfitted with B&W WM2’s and Bryston 2BST amplifiers.
Program
Wick, collaborated with John Storyk, WSDG project manager Joshua Morris, and contractor Chris Harmaty of Technical Structures on the project. “Our four original 8th floor studios remained consistently busy throughout the 7th floor construction,” Brian says. “Rob DiFondi kept Studio D humming (in a good way) with spots for such clients as Cadillac, Starbucks, Virgin Mobile and USA Networks. Hillary Kew Martell was ensconced in Studio C building demand for our Dolby approved mixing suite with theatrical projects for AXA, NASCAR, ESPN, Head and Shoulders, and many others. Timing was spot on. The long-term lease for contiguous space on the 7th floor was a godsend.”
A seasoned studio pro, Wick had personally designed two additional audioEngine rooms when the company acquired the 8th floor complex from Lower East Side Studios in 2001. Aware that Storyk had designed and built the original three room LES facility in 1998, Wick was convinced the scope and time frame of the 7th floor expansion required the expertise of the dedicated WSDG team. “Dolby’s approval of Studio E was especially rewarding,” John Storyk adds. “Their standards are extremely high, and represent state-of-the-art specifications for room acoustics and systems integration. Dolby engineer Tom Kodros’ tests ‘found the room design, technology and wiring to meet Dolby Standards on virtually every level.’ WSDG is very familiar with Dolby standards, having now completed certifications for three of South America’s most prestigious Dolby mix suites, including the newest installation for TV Globo in Rio. It was particularly gratifying to have Brian Wick bring us in on the audioEngine expansion. “We were pleased that they maintained our original Lower East Side studios on the 8th floor, and are delighted to contribute to their on-going success.”
Links
Visit the audioEngine website.
See photos sequencing the construction of this studio. download Audioengine constructions sequence