Boulder, CO (October 13, 2016)—After 19 years in a business park, Airshow Mastering has moved to a new location in the Boulder foothills. The facility—a year in planning and construction—is equipped for stereo and 5.1 surround, lock to picture, SACD/DSD mastering and authoring, and Plangent Processes analog tape transfer services.
Mastering engineers David Glasser—Airshow’s founder—and Anna Frick opened the new facility in July. “Our goal was to build the most accurate and well-equipped mastering studio that we know how to build, to continue Airshow’s legacy in a destination location,” said Glasser. “The mastering room is based on my previous Boulder studio, with a similar size and equipment complement; while the overall facility is smaller, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better-equipped.”
Part of making that happen was the involvement of studio designer and principal in SIA Acoustics, Sam Berkow. “We wanted to create another spectacular surround mastering room,” said Berkow, “plus we needed to house all the functions you expect in a pro studio in addition to the main control room: a production-office area, the machine room, a small client lounge and a mechanical/storage and workshop area. Because David and I have worked together several times in the past 15 years, we were able to readily reach agreement on what a ‘good-sounding’ room and ‘productive work environment’ meant.”
Glasser selected local Boulder architect Jim Walker of ACI to work with Berkow and Jeffrey Friedlander of SIA’s New York office on a new structure to meet Boulder County’s energy and wildfire risk reduction codes. Glasser chose a Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) building from ICS in Fort Collins, CO. The wall and roof panels are manufactured in modular sections and quickly assembled on-site. SIPS technology enabled Walker and Berkow to design the interior without regard to conventional structural elements that might impinge on the acoustical priorities, and to create an extremely energy-efficient building.
Glasser summarized, “The bottom line is that you need an accurate room and monitor system that allow you to clearly and accurately hear and evaluate the changes you’re making. Since starting work in this room, I feel we’ve achieved that, and we’ve created a very comfortable setting for engineer and client alike. We’re looking forward to welcoming our clients—old and new—for mastering sessions and listening sessions to check out mixes.”
Airshow, founded by Glasser in Virginia in 1983, also operates a complex of studios in Takoma Park MD, led by Charlie Pilzer, also designed by Sam Berkow. Since 1997, Airshow has been an integral part of the vibrant Colorado music scene.
Airshow Mastering
airshowmastering.com
SIA Acoustics
SIAacoustics.com
