Glendale College Completes Major Remodel with Sommer Cable
Otto System Works (OSW), in partnership with Holly Street Studio, a Phoenix-based architecture and design firm, has completed the first remodel of Phoenix’s Glendale Community College Recording Studio. Sommer Cable was used exclusively for the major expansion and remodeling. Established in 1965, Glendale Community College (GCC) provides degree and certificate programs to more than 33,000 students at two campuses in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area and serves as an educational center for the entire community.
Seen at Glendale Community College are (L-R) studio technician Cory Smith and Otto System Works’ Alex Otto.
The GCC remodel included a complete reconfiguration of the studios, which included the addition of multiple isolation booths and new interior acoustics of all the spaces, including the control room. All existing analog audio infrastructure was removed and a complete overhaul of the audio system infrastructure of the studio was completed. This included all new analog audio signal paths and patch bays as well as provisions for DANTE audio networks and video distribution throughout.
Sommer cable was used exclusively to wire the entire remodel, including all mic sources from the various recording spaces, the large format console a 32-channel API, and all outboard gear and headphone and monitoring systems. The combination of BIttree patchbays and Sommer cable produced a completely silent signal path of the highest resolution. OSW provided the installation and commissioning which included a complete redesign of the audio infrastructure.
The studio is equipped with a 32-channel API 1608 large format analog console, various digital audio workstations (DAWs), including Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton Live, and a collection of microphones and other professional equipment. The facility is designed to foster artistic and career goals in music production and audio engineering for its students.
The entire recording space has been renovated to include improved soundproofing, advanced isolation rooms, new lighting, and ceiling/wall systems for enhanced sound absorption. In addition to the main control room, there is a dedicated vocal booth, piano room, and auxiliary rooms for instruments and amplifiers.
Alex Otto explains, “A major advantage here is that the Sommer multipair cable is AES/EBU rated at 110-Ohm. During installation the cable is landed to my preferred Bittree patchbays, which are also internally wired with 110-Ohm cable. There is no impedance change as the cable is distributed throughout the entire studio, including mic panels, patch bays and TT patch cords. I only need one cable type to deal with both analog and digital signals, which from the client’s standpoint means better value as the business changes — you won’t have to face huge costs associated with any upgrading or changes in wiring.”
Sommer Cable used at Glendale College include:
SC-Mistral Multipair audio cable 2,4,8,16 pair throughout
https://www.sommercable.com/en-us/Multipair-SC-Mistral-MCF-black-2-x-0-22-mm2-x-number-of-pairs/100-0101
High End SC-Albedo cable for interconnects between the loudspeaker DSP and powered monitors:
https://www.sommercable.com/en-us/NF-Phono-cable-HighEnd-SC-Albedo-MKII-2-x-0-20-mm2-PVC-OE-5-90-mm-green/800-0104
SC-Meridian Installation cable for speaker level feeds for guitar amplifier cabinets
https://www.sommercable.com/en-us/#bc21/embedded/m=and&q=x01626
Tricone XXL Instrument Cable
https://www.sommercable.com/en-us/Instrument-Cable-Tricone-XXL-1-x-0-50-mm2-LLC-Long-Life-Compound-OE-5-90-mm-black/300-0271
ABOUT OTTO SYSTEM WORKS
Otto System Works is a full-service company designed to support both personal and professional recording studios, post-production facilities, rehearsal spaces, venues, DCI compliant private screening rooms and home cinemas. The primary focus is the design of high-performance environments for audio production and recording. Services include complete studio design, system hardware upgrades, select equipment sales, service, Dolby certified calibration and ISF video calibration. https://www.oswaudio.com
ABOUT SOMMER CABLE
Sommer Cable Germany is an enterprising development and manufacturing company of innovative and unique cable, connector and electronic products for the Studio, A/V Installation, Live Sound, Broadcast, Video, Music, IT and HiFi markets, with business partners in over 50 countries. In 2015, Sommer Cable America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sommer Cable Germany, was established in Santa Rosa, CA. Jed Larson is COO of the new company, which supplies the North American markets with Sommer’s wide range of innovative and high quality products. 707.200.4020 https://www.sommercable.com/
