NEW YORK - Professional Audio Design (www.proaudiodesign.com) and Walters-Storyk Design Group (www.wsdg.com) recently teamed up on a redesign and technology upgrade for The Integrated Studios, all in an effort to transform the private studio into a commercial facility. Integrated Studios (www.integratedstudios.com) is located in Manhattan's Tribeca district and is owned by Derek and Eliot Ferguson (drummer for Gogol Bordello).
The audio facility encompasses the entire fourth floor of the five-story building, with a mastering suite, two studios and a writing room. John Storyk and WSDG redesigned and reconfigured the control room, specifically, to accommodate a large-format SSL console and to improve full frequency monitoring and 5.1 surround playback. He also dramatically enhanced the acoustics and overall ergonomics of the live rooms. Work included adding new exterior windows to provide panoramic views of lower Manhattan and the Hudson River.
According to WSDG principal John Storyk, the challenge was not only in the studio's design, but in meeting its short deadline, which left only 45 days for construction before a grand unveiling during AES weekend in New York City. Construction was completed by WSDG project contractor Chris Harmaty and his Technical Structures contracting firm. "Chris applied his many years of experience with studio builds to help us create an absolutely perfect recording environment in record time," Storyk notes.
PAD founder Dave Malekpour provided a classic SSL 9000J console for the room, along with custom Augspurger main and sub cabinets, a Genelec 8050 surround monitoring system and a full complement of outboard gear.
Integrated's in-house talent includes producer/engineer Carlos Bess, who brings 15 years of hit-making credibility to the studio, and mastering engineer Larry Lachmann, who cut his teeth at Sterling Sound