Transforming a Hollywood Facility into a World-Class Composer's Studio

Renowned composer Joe Trapanese acquired a new facility in Hollywood, California to serve as his new state-of-the-art recording space. He enlisted and collaborated with Rich Avrach and Sunset Audio Solutions for acoustic design, interior renovations, and integration to transform the 1990s building into a cutting-edge studio.

Meticulous Acoustic Optimization

Sunset Audio's team, including legendary acoustician and studio designer Carl Yanchar, meticulously optimized the acoustics. Assisted with the input and craftsmanship of Mora Woodcraft; they rebuilt the rooms, adding soffits, clouds with lighting, extensive bass trapping, fabric systems, and reflective surfaces. HVAC systems were also relocated and updated for optimal airflow.

In the live room, an electronically controlled 'Drumbrella' with four microphone channels was engineered to raise and lower from waist to ceiling height, enabling flexible microphone positioning.

Comprehensive Integration and Future-Proofing

To future-proof the facility, thousands of yards of Cat 6a cable was routed through newly forged pathways, connecting each studio and live room. Extensive analog cabling was also run from Studio A to the machine room, housing Avid HDX3 systems, MTRX IOs, Atmos renderer, Antelope atomic and master clocks, and Bricasti reverb units.

Sunset Audio Solutions designed and integrated all patch bays, wall panels, video systems, ethernet punch panels, and equipment, enabling signal flow between all locations via tie lines and ethernet connectivity.

After the build-out was completed, the rooms required minimal external balancing. Tuning and timing adjustments were made using Avid MTRX PEQ DSP.

Aesthetic Upgrades

The lobby's wood floors were refinished, while offices, machine room, and kitchen received new dark polished concrete floors. Bathrooms were remodeled, and kitchen cabinets resurfaced with upgraded hardware. All lighting, electrical fixtures, and walls were updated to create a cohesive modern aesthetic throughout common areas.