Project Description

Overview

Students at the University of Michigan Audio Program are reaping the benefits of a newly renovated recording studio. An essential component of the University of Michigan School of Music, the studio is an integral element of the school’s audio program and serves as the University’s recording facility for a variety of projects.

Redesigned by John Storyk and the Walters-Storyk Design Group, the 1800 square foot complex features a control room, live recording room, isolation booth and machine room. U-M School of Music assistant professor of audio engineering, Jason Corey, reports that WSDG enhanced the ‘live’ quality of the original recording space by adding acoustically reflective surfaces, including variable wall panels and a wood floor. “The wall treatments have wooden and absorbent sides so that we can quickly retune the room to change reverberation time.

“This flexibility is essential to teaching sound engineering,” Corey adds. “It enables us to demonstrate the roll the studio environment plays in music the students record, whether solo artist, ensemble, jazz, rock or classical. By varying the room acoustics students quickly learn to appreciate its effect on the sound of the music.”

The facility’s technology upgrade is focused around a new 40-channel API Vision surround sound mixing and recording console. “Using an analog console is a more effective teaching tool than a digital desk because it provides students with a straightforward method for learning the fundamentals of studio signal flow,” said David Greenspan, coordinator of audio resources at the U-M Dunderstadt Center.

WSDG was a clear choice for this assignment. In addition to his extensive architectural and acoustical credentials, company principal architect/acoustician John Storyk lectures at numerous colleges around the country, including the University of Michigan. These presentations have provided him with valuable insights into the needs for effective audio teaching facilities. “We have designed many recording schools and college audio departments, including Ex’Pression in San Francisco, Full Sail in Florida, Five Towns in Long Island, NY, and most recently the University of Colorado at Boulder,” Storyk says. “The knowledge I acquire from these assignments benefits my design work as well as my teaching skills.”

“The U-M facility was designed to provide students with an environment that will prepare them for real-world jobs. They are already producing professional level work for Block M Records, the University’s recording label which makes performances available worldwide, primarily through Internet streaming or fee-for-download. The facility is also used for the University’s Internet Publication Project which promotes the publication of music recordings, scholarly writing and video production. We are very pleased to have contributed to this project, and I look forward to lecturing here again in the future.”

Testimonial

Mary Simoni | University of Michigan

Music Technology Department Chair

“Walters-Storyk Design Group did a phenomenal job in providing variable acoustics in our recording room. They did a fantastic job of creating even more room for recording by re-purposing and reclaiming storage space. Visually, the room makes a strong impact so people want to work and record in there.”

Technology

Console:

  • API Vision – 40 Channels, 32 Mic Preamps, 24 Compressors, 32 560 B Graphic Equalizers

Dynamics Processing

  • API 7.1 Channel Custom Compressor
  • DBX 162
  • DBX 166
  • Smart Research C1
  • Spectra Sonics 610
  • Universal Audio 1176 LN
  • UREI LA4
  • Valley Gatex

EQ

  • Crane Song IBIS
  • Collins
  • Gotham EQ 1000 (Klein & Hummel UE 100)
  • Manley Pultec
  • Orban

I/O Interface Hardware

  • Digidesign HD3 Pro Tools Accel 32 In / 40 Out
  • Digidesign MH040 Sync I/O
  • Waves Diamond TDM Bundle

Mic Preamps

  • Mercury M72s Studio Microphone Amplifier
  • Millennia M-2B

Channel Strips

  • Drawmer 1969 mercenary edition
  • GML 2032
  • Millennia STT-1

Keyboards

  • Korg Triton

Microphones

  • AKG 3000
  • AKG 414
  • AKG 451
  • Coles 4038 Matched Pair
  • DPA 4006
  • DPA 4011 TL
  • DPA 4015
  • Gefell M300
  • Gefell M930 Cardioid XY Set
  • Korby Audio KAT Blue
  • Korby Audio KAT FET
  • Neumann 147
  • Neumann 193
  • Neumann Binaural
  • Neumann KM 140
  • Neumann TLM 103
  • Neumann TLM 170
  • Neumann U 87
  • PZM
  • RE 20
  • Sennheiser 421
  • Sennheiser MD 441
  • Shure SM 57
  • Shure SM 58
  • Shure SM 7
  • Shure SM 81
  • Sony 535
  • Sony C48

Monitors

  • Genelec 1037
  • Genelec 7071 Subwoofer

Other

  • Roland Analog Delay
  • Dorrough 2 channel meter
  • Dorrough 4 channel meter
  • Denon DVDPlayer

Piano

  • Steinway

Reverb/FX Processing

  • EMT Plate Reverb
  • Eventide H8000
  • Lexicon 300
  • TC Electronic Reverb 6000
  • TC M5000

Recorders

  • Ampex 440B
  • Alesis Masterlink
  • Otari 5050-8 with DBX Type 1 Noise Reduction
  • Sony MCI
  • Tascam DA-38
  • Tascam DA-98

Links

Read the Article in ProSoundNetwork.com
Read feature in Pro Sound News.