Studio Name: Cobaltt Mastering at Cups 'N Strings
Location: Santa Monica, Calif.
Owner: Bruce Maddocks
Date Open: September 2007
Designer: Engineer Bruce Maddocks
Photo: David Goggin

Equipment: Mac G5 dual-core, Pro Tools HD V. 7.3, Bias Peak V.5, Waves plug-ins, UREI 1178 with PSU Mod, TL Audio Fatman tube compressor with PSU mod, A-Designs Hammer Tube EQ, TL Audio EQ 1 tube EQ with input mod, Magnetek R-29 Class-A transistor EQ, Aphex Exciter with “Big Bottom” with PSU mod, TC Electronic 96k Finalizer, Hafler amplification, custom in-line loudspeakers and discrete subwoofers.

Description: The room was built as a testing and proving ground for several acoustic paneling and wall design systems developed by owner Bruce Maddocks. The framing wall structure was created to act as several low-frequency and mid-frequency panel absorbers. Liquid ceramic was used inside the walls as a construction sealant and mass dampener, and it provides greater thermal control. Wall-mounted diffusion panels are designed to perform as wide-band diffusers, mid-band absorbers and fixed low-frequency panel absorbers. The front wall corner-mounted “Ripple” polys provide wide-band diffusion and low-frequency absorption. The main design consideration was not only for the treatments to be effective, but also that all elements of the design could be purchased at a D.I.Y. store and be assembled on site by the studio owner. Several of the room’s design treatments have made their way into other new studio construction projects in Los Angeles.