EPIC RECORDING STUDIO SETUP 2022 | Warm Audio Studios (studio tour)

Andrew Masters
28 Feb 202231:02

TLDRIn this engaging video tour of Warm Audio Studios, we explore the stunning recording studio setup in Texas, designed from scratch. The tour showcases the studio's sophisticated equipment, including custom-built audio panels, high-end recording gear from Warm Audio, and unique acoustic solutions like active bass traps. Special features like a spacious live room, modern control rooms with state-of-the-art mixing consoles, and luxurious lounges emphasize the studio's commitment to both aesthetics and functionality. The narrative highlights the studio's purpose to provide an affordable, high-quality recording space for local artists, making it a haven for creativity and sound innovation.

Takeaways

  • ๐ŸŽฌ The video is a studio tour of Warm Audio's new headquarters and recording studio in Texas, showcasing its state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
  • ๐Ÿ† The studio was designed from the ground up, with a focus on providing a high-quality space for local artists who might not otherwise afford such a facility.
  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ The studio features an SSL 948 console with 48 channels, Lynx Aurora converters, and a Grace monitor controller, indicating a commitment to top-tier audio equipment.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Active bass traps from the brand PSI are used, which are said to significantly alter the room's acoustics when activated, demonstrating the studio's embrace of innovative technology.
  • ๐Ÿ“š The studio houses a wide range of gear, including vintage instruments and modern equipment, catering to a variety of recording needs.
  • ๐Ÿ”— The studio is connected, allowing for seamless transitions between different rooms and setups, which is ideal for complex recording projects.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Customization is evident in the studio's design, such as the Sterling Modular console and the unique use of materials like Whisper Wall for sound treatment.
  • ๐ŸŒŸ Aesthetics are important, with a blend of modern and vintage elements, including a significant use of wood paneling and a focus on creating a visually appealing environment.
  • ๐Ÿ“ง The studio is equipped with high-quality cables from Gotham Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of quality connections in achieving professional sound.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ The space is well-suited for video production as well as audio recording, with multiple camera lines of sight and a large live room that can accommodate full bands.
  • ๐ŸŒ The studio is not just for recording; it's designed to be a creative space for making marketing content and offers opportunities for collaboration and community engagement.

Q & A

  • What was the motivation behind building the new Warm Audio Studios headquarters and studio?

    -The primary motivation was the desire to have a studio where they could shoot their own marketing content and offer a high-quality studio space to local artists who might not otherwise afford it. They also wanted to create an amazing space to experiment and have fun with, as their main business is selling gear.

  • What are some of the unique features of the new recording studio setup?

    -The studio features a custom design built from the ground up, with diffusion and absorption panels by Artnovian, a Whisper Wall custom system, and a modern look with industrial elements. It includes an SSL 948 console with 48 channels, Lynx Aurora converters, a Grace monitor controller, and a fully analog speaker system by ATC without DSP.

  • How does the studio's design cater to both modern and vintage aesthetics?

    -The studio incorporates a mix of modern and vintage elements, such as wood paneling, a 1970s-inspired design, and industrial-looking metal fixtures. It also includes vintage instruments and equipment, reflecting the owner's love for both modern technology and classic aesthetics.

  • What kind of gear and equipment can be found in the studio?

    -The studio is equipped with a wide range of gear, including Warm Audio's own products like the 73Q EQ and Bus Comp, ATC speakers, a Yamaha ESclavier series piano with player piano capabilities, Gibson guitars, Nash guitars, Matchless amplifiers, DW drums, andLatch Lake stands.

  • How does the studio accommodate for different recording needs?

    -The studio has multiple isolation booths, a large live room that can accommodate a full rock band, and a separate machine room for the headphone system and camera communication. It also has a unique feature where each musician can create their own headphone mix, and the rooms are designed to be fully decoupled for sound isolation.

  • What is special about the studio's construction in terms of sound isolation?

    -The studio was built on a concrete slab poured on two inches of rubber, which is fully decoupled from the foundational slab. This design prevents the transmission of vibrations and noise from outside sources, ensuring a quiet and controlled recording environment.

  • How does the studio's layout support video production?

    -The studio has multiple camera lines of sight, large glass windows for natural light and visual aesthetics, and various set-like areas that can be used for video content creation. The large live room and the various isolation booths provide flexibility for different video setups.

  • What is the significance of the SSL 948 console in the studio?

    -The SSL 948 console is a high-end mixing console with 48 channels, which is a centerpiece of the studio. It offers a seamless workflow and the ability to move projects between different rooms that have the same console model.

  • How does the studio's wiring and patch bay system contribute to its functionality?

    -The studio uses Gotham cabling from Switzerland throughout, and the patch bay system allows for a large number of connections, enabling complex routing and flexibility during recording sessions. The wiring is meticulously organized to support the extensive gear and equipment in the studio.

  • What are the active bass traps in the studio, and how do they work?

    -Active bass traps are a new technology that the studio uses to improve sound quality. They are powered devices that, when turned on, change the room's acoustics by reducing low-frequency build-up. They are plugged in and connected to software that allows for adjustments based on their position in the room.

  • How does the studio's design support the creation of marketing content?

    -The studio is designed with a combination of modern and vintage aesthetics, with various set-like areas and ample space for camera setups. This makes it an ideal location for creating marketing content, including music videos, promotional materials, and social media content.

Outlines

00:00

๐ŸŽฅ Introduction to Warm Audio's New Texas Headquarters

The video begins with the host expressing gratitude for the invitation to Warm Audio's new headquarters in Texas. He recalls seeing a drone footage video from the previous year about the construction of the property. The host, a fan of Warm Audio's products, is excited to explore the new studio setup designed from the ground up. He mentions his previous experience with the company's 73s, bus comp, and eqp-wa products and looks forward to trying new gear. The video is sponsored by Sweetwater, and the host encourages viewers to check out the links in the description for more information on the featured gear.

05:00

๐Ÿข Tour of the New Studio and Its Aesthetic Appeal

The host is given a tour of the new studio, highlighting its modern yet timeless design, with a focus on wood aesthetics. He mentions the motivation behind the studio's creation, which was to have a space to produce marketing content and offer a high-quality studio experience to local artists. The tour includes a look at the lounge, kitchen, and B room, with its custom Whisper Wall panels and Artnovian diffusion and absorption panels. The host also discusses the technology used in the studio, such as the Digital Audio Labs headphone boxes, which allow for individual headphone mixes.

10:01

๐ŸŽผ The Live Room and Its Acoustic Design

The host describes the live room's impressive dimensions and the acoustic design choices made to achieve the best sound quality. He details the construction process, emphasizing the room's separation from external noise and vibrations due to its concrete slab on rubber isolation. The room features a large glass window for an extended view and houses a variety of high-quality equipment, including a VPI record player, SSL 948 console, and ATC speakers. The host also discusses the use of Gotham cabling and the unique active bass traps from the brand psi.

15:02

๐ŸŽน The Piano and Instrument Collection

The host showcases the studio's collection of instruments, including a vintage 1958 B3 organ with a Leslie speaker and a piano with a rich history, previously owned by Garth Brooks' guitarist. He also mentions the upcoming addition of a Yamaha ESclavier series piano with player piano capabilities. The host highlights the studio's partnerships with Gibson, Nash guitars, and Matchless amps, and the inclusion of high-quality equipment from these brands.

20:03

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Studio Construction Details and Equipment

The host delves into the construction details of the studio, including the unique challenges of installing a 14-foot piece of glass and the use of non-rigid connections between rooms for sound isolation. He discusses the studio's drum setup, the use of Latch Lake stands for microphones, and the various guitar and bass options available. The host also appreciates the studio's attention to detail, such as the design of the spiral staircase and the strategic placement of absorption panels.

25:05

๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Studio's Acoustic Treatment and Isolation

The host explains the acoustic treatment of the studio, focusing on the wood panels that conceal steel columns, which isolate the studio from the office floor above. He discusses the studio manager's organization efforts and the variety of microphones and equipment available for use. The host also highlights the studio's video capabilities, with multiple camera angles and lighting options, making it an ideal space for content creation.

30:08

๐Ÿ˜‚ Closing Remarks and Humorous Moment

The video concludes with the host thanking Bryce, presumably the person responsible for the studio's design and construction, for the tour. They discuss the studio's YouTube channel and the quality of Warm Audio's products. The host jokingly asks if he looks fat, leading to a light-hearted moment before the video ends.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กRecording Studio Setup

A recording studio setup refers to the arrangement and equipment used in a recording studio to capture, mix, and produce audio. In the video, the host tours a new facility built by Warm Audio, highlighting its state-of-the-art design and technology, which is central to the video's theme of showcasing an 'absurd' studio environment.

๐Ÿ’กWarm Audio

Warm Audio is a company known for producing high-quality audio equipment and is featured in the video. The host expresses his admiration for Warm Audio's products, which are prominently displayed and utilized throughout the studio tour, emphasizing the brand's significance to the video's narrative.

๐Ÿ’กAcoustic Treatment

Acoustic treatment involves the use of various materials and techniques to control sound reflections and improve the listening environment within a room. The video mentions the use of Artnovian panels and Whisper Wall for diffusion and absorption, which are crucial for achieving high-quality sound recordings.

๐Ÿ’กSSL 948 Console

The SSL 948 Console is a professional mixing console with 48 channels, featured as a central piece of equipment in the studio. It signifies the high-end nature of the studio setup and is an example of the top-tier gear used for recording and mixing audio.

๐Ÿ’กLynx Aurora Converters

Lynx Aurora Converters are high-quality audio-to-digital and digital-to-audio conversion devices. They are mentioned as part of the studio's equipment, indicating the studio's commitment to high-fidelity sound and the importance of clean, accurate signal conversion in the recording process.

๐Ÿ’กGrace Audio Volume Controller

The Grace Audio Volume Controller is a device used to control monitor levels in a studio. It is noted in the video as being present in both control rooms, suggesting a focus on precise and flexible audio monitoring capabilities.

๐Ÿ’กATC Speakers

ATC Speakers are a brand known for their high-quality sound reproduction, particularly in the professional audio market. The host mentions having ATC speakers in his home studio and praises their fully analog design, which is important for achieving a warm and natural sound in recordings.

๐Ÿ’กDante

Dante is a digital audio networking technology that allows for the transmission of high-quality, multi-channel audio over Ethernet networks. The studio manager's name is Dante, and he is involved in organizing the studio's equipment, which includes Dante-enabled devices, highlighting the studio's use of advanced audio networking solutions.

๐Ÿ’กDecoupled Slab

A decoupled slab is a construction technique used to isolate a room from external vibrations and noise. The video describes how the studio's rooms are built on individual concrete slabs, decoupled from the main building structure, to ensure optimal sound isolation and prevent unwanted noise from affecting recordings.

๐Ÿ’กActive Bass Traps

Active Bass Traps are a type of acoustic treatment that uses electronic signal processing to reduce low-frequency sounds in a room. The video discusses their use and effectiveness, showcasing the studio's commitment to advanced and innovative sound shaping solutions.

๐Ÿ’กSterling Modular

Sterling Modular refers to a company or product line specializing in modular audio equipment. In the context of the video, Sterling Modular is mentioned as the provider of a customized console for the studio, emphasizing the bespoke and tailored nature of the studio's setup.

Highlights

Warm Audio's new Texas studio was designed from the ground up, featuring an ambitious and customized recording space.

The motivation for building the studio was to provide a high-quality space for local artists who couldn't normally afford it, potentially allowing them to use it for free.

The studio's aesthetic combines a love for wood and modern elements, creating a timeless design.

Room B of the studio features advanced sound diffusion and absorption panels by Artnovian from France.

Warm Audio has equipped the studio with an extensive array of their own gear, which is prominently displayed and used throughout the facility.

The studio has a significant partnership with Sweetwater.com, which supplies a variety of audio gear used within the studio.

One innovative feature in the studio is the digital audio labs' headphone boxes, offering Power over Ethernet and personalized mix controls.

The studio showcases active bass traps by PSI, demonstrating a new technology in sound management.

SSL 948 consoles are installed in both control rooms, facilitating seamless project transitions and consistent workflows between rooms.

The studio is fully wired with Gotham cables from Switzerland, emphasizing high-quality sound transmission.

Warm Audio's design choices include extensive custom wood paneling and strategic placement of metal elements to enhance the studio's industrial yet warm feel.

The live room's design was initially planned to be bigger but was scaled down during construction to optimize acoustics.

Each studio room is built on a separate slab, ensuring sound isolation and minimal vibration transfer.

The design incorporates a three-pane glass window system in the live room, which includes a 14-foot-wide piece to minimize sound reflection.

The studio's equipment includes vintage items, such as a 1958 B3 organ with a Leslie speaker, highlighting a blend of classic and modern gear.