Kendale's Studio

No other posts between Christmas and New Years? Clearly, you need to post more pictures. :wink: Happy New Year, Kendale and all. I made it through the first night, with ten 16-year-old and three 8-year-old girls partying at our house. That's my first big accomplishment for the year. Aloha, Andy

Aloha Andy, And a Happy New Year to you and yours!

No other posts between Christmas and New Years? Clearly, you need to post more pictures.

Mrs kendale's family from Minnesota were spending the Christmas Holiday with us. It was the first Christmas together in 15 years for all of them and their kids. They spent most of the week sightseeing the island. I, on the other hand, had to work, and so missed out on the fun. :roll: I have been posting lots of pics...but on the design forum. :wink:

I made it through the first night, with ten 16-year-old and three 8-year-old girls partying at our house. That's my first big accomplishment for the year.

:shock: :shock: :shock: Sounds like they had fun :P BTW, how many of those are yours? :wink: Aloha 8)

kendale wrote:

I made it through the first night, with ten 16-year-old and three 8-year-old girls partying at our house. That's my first big accomplishment for the year.

:shock: :shock: :shock: Sounds like they had fun :P BTW, how many of those are yours? :wink: Aloha 8)

Just two daughters -- one 15 and one 9 (I averaged the ages of their guests). I'm still recovering. :lol: Aloha!

Aloha Kendale, I just wanted to know how you like your Mackies soffit mounted. Have you had and issues with them overheating? Thanks jdf

Aloha jdf,

I just wanted to know how you like your Mackies soffit mounted. Have you had and issues with them overheating?

Compared to what they sounded like before soffiting, you could almost say that I love it! (What I would love is a pair each of: Dynaudio Air 6's or 15's, Klein + Hummel 0300D's, Genelec 8040 monitors/7060A sub :wink:) - bottom end is tighter - imaging is clearer - drums sound clearer, more defined in mixes - able to hear clearer at lower volumes than before - room sounds quieter without music playing, louder & tighter with less effort when music played - less fatigue/more enjoyment in listening to mixes! - mixdowns have been so much easier - mixdowns with considerably less fatigue than before - mixes transfer room to room much closer than before I have had ZERO problems with them overheating, even after several all day/night sessions. I will mention that the rear of the speakers are not enclosed in a box, and they have lots of air circulation. While it is true that Mackie does not recommend soffit mounting, I will say this though; they definitely sound better than not soffitted. There are also several others here that have also soffitted their Mackies with similar results and have thoroughly enjoyed the improvements to their studios as well. Given the option of soffit or not, and having heard and worked with both, I would definitely choose soffitting. Aloha 8)

Thanks Kendale, I am considering some changes in the studio, that being one of them. I am considering a 5.1 setup with them. I have thought about other monitors but I just trust the mackies so much. I know that Giles has had positive results with his too. Thanks for the feedback. jdf

How do you have the switches set on the back of your 824s?

Aloha Kevin,

How do you have the switches set on the back of your 824s?

I had asked another forum member (Bryan Giles) which settings he used and this was his reply:

For space, A is selected. In the soffits it is like being in a corner and really loads up. At A all is well. I run the HPF at Full (35Hz) I adjusted the tweeter based on my room. That one might take a couple of tries. Do a mix and listen to it outside the studio. If it feels dark, turn the tweeter down (-2) Start at Zero. If it sounds bright, turn the tweeter to +2. Hope that helps, Bryan

Aloha 8)

Thank you! That is how I have my free standing 824s set right now. They are actually in a 1/2 space layout, with a large amount of broadband absorbers behind and above them.

Aloha,

Thank you! That is how I have my free standing 824s set right now. They are actually in a 1/2 space layout, with a large amount of broadband absorbers behind and above them.

I tried those settings prior to soffiting too, and the overall sound was still quite vague. But it wasn't until they were soffited and the front bezel installed that the sound dramatically changed, and then refined, with the absorbers to the left, right and above of the mix position. There was a thread around here somewhere, maybe in the "Speaking of Speakers" forum that discussed how the bezels influenced the speakers performance, and a thread on a "free standing" bezel comcept. Aloha 8)

I am now using a pair of B&W 602s rather than the Mackies. They aren't quite as hyped, and look like they will translate better. Also, they are less fatiguing.

Back in November, kendale wrote:

Had a contractor stop by today to take a look at the work needed to be done installing additional floor joists. He said he check to see if he had an opening in his already backlogged schedule, the labor available, and would call in a couple of days with an estimate for materials & labor.

Aloha Kendale! Any update on this? I just linked to your thread from eruss' "nailing sole plate to concrete floor" thread... --Keith :mrgreen:

Aloha, Hey Keith, thanks for asking. (Funny thing, I am speaking to the contractor as I type.) Okay, after our contractor's meeting with the original architect and sharing photos of the existing construction and with a former building inspector, the good news is that: 1- We do not need to apply for a building permit (and it's legal!) for the work needing to be done 2- The architect and contractor have established a remedy that with be about 1/3 the initial cost projection 3- The contractor will iron out the details on his end and can begin work Monday. Looking back, all three contractors, all three building inspectors and the original architect have assessed and verified the integrity of our home and we now have a code-approved remedy for the flooring issues. All that's left is mrs. kendale's earthquake-shake-residual-fears to be laid to rest after the mitigation. Aloha 8)

Aloha, Forgot to mention some of the steps we've taken so far: - had a 2 shear walls added to tallest corner of house (12' post & pier construction) - installed bolts in every post/pier & joist/girder straps Aloha 8)

Very cool, Kendale! :-D So, fill us in: are these primarily proactive measures you are taking to protect you from future earthquakes? Or are you making structural repairs to damage caused by the last earthquake(s)? Maybe a bit of both? --Keith :mrgreen:

Aloha, The shear walls, strap bolts and joist bracings are mostly mitigation precautions against future quakes. The damage that we need to address are the tile kitchen countertops which have buckled and are now detached from the cabinet frames. Aloha 8)

Time for granite slabs, eh? ;-) --Keith :mrgreen:

Aloha, Yeah, it'll be around $10k to do our kitchen on the initial quotes we got. :shock: Ahhh, well, there goes the DAW + 42" monitor. :wink: Aloha 8)

Here's a less expensive alternative: concrete countertops! :twisted: --Keith :mrgreen:

Aloha, Earthquake mitigation update: - met with architect on proposed plan - 2 more shear walls added to foundation (total of 3) - 2 x 6 blocking added between each floor joist every 2 feet - architect's stamp on blueprint modifications The floors feel much more solid, cabinets dont rattle when walking by, and the house doesn't jump when those 25mph+ trade winds come blowing through. And best of all, Mrs kendale is feeling alot safer in her home! :D Much mahalos to Jonathan Cook for all of his time meeting, planning and executing the work within budget. :wink: On the studio side, have been considering a vocal booth build to use up the last two bags of rockwool, as well as starting the second cloud. Aloha 8)

Awesome! 8) Got pics? :roll:

Aloha Kendale, I'm starting to think about and plan the third phase of my studio which would include some kind of cloud above the mix position. Having been an avid follower of your thread and having taken particular interest in your cloud creation - I have a couple of questions for you I'm hoping you may be able to help with. 1) What kind of lamps did you use in the cloud? How much heat do they put out? any concerns or lessons learned there? Reason I ask is that I was disussing what you had done with my electrician, and explained that was why we pulled romex through above the mix position. He was worried about the fire risk depending on what kind of lighting I would use. 2) I know you originally were asking whether to have this at an angle rather than paralell with the floor. Steve suggested going with option 2 because of your vaulted ceiling in there, but in my case I do not have vaulted ceilings, so would I benefit from hanging a cloud on angle do you think? Again, as I have mentioned before I have been truly impressed with your project and the pics of your cloud and studio have been a real inspiration to me on my project - particularly on the tough days - so thank you! All the best! Andy

Aloha Andy,

1) What kind of lamps did you use in the cloud? How much heat do they put out? any concerns or lessons learned there? Reason I ask is that I was disussing what you had done with my electrician, and explained that was why we pulled romex through above the mix position. He was worried about the fire risk depending on what kind of lighting I would use.

I used (4) 3" 50 watt bulbs in Emerald brand recessed lighting fixtures, with about 3" of clear space around each of the fixtures and open air above. Since they are hooked up to a Lutron DVW-600PH-WH 600w Single Pole with radio frequency interference suppression circuitry dimmer, and are very rarely on full, I haven't had much heat bulding up.

2) I know you originally were asking whether to have this at an angle rather than paralell with the floor. Steve suggested going with option 2 because of your vaulted ceiling in there, but in my case I do not have vaulted ceilings, so would I benefit from hanging a cloud on angle do you think?

I have seen both approaches in studying pictures of professionally designed control rooms, and have had great results with Steve's direction. What comes to mind at this point in time is - it may depend on how deep your cloud is/how much headroom you have to work with and what other treatments you have planned for your room. A bit inconclusive perhaps, but I hope this helps. Aloha 8)

very nice! I am hoping to start planning my move to Puna in the near future, and it looks like I have found this forum with perfect timing! From what I can tell, it looks like you are on the Kohala coast of the BI. Now you all have gotten me revved up to get to work for real with my architect (who is fantastic, but knows nothing about studios) Thanks for sharing!

Aloha Steve, Thanks for dropping by, and welcome to the Big Island! Looks like you've done alright yourself, eh? :wink: Nice websites. Keep in touch, Aloha 8)