ProAudio Review - September 2008 - (Page 48)

CONTRACTING | REVIEW by Strother Bullins Primacoustic Broadway Professional Acoustic Solutions Thanks to Broadway, affordable DIY acoustic treatment has never looked or sounded so pro. “Acoustic treatment” means something different to every audio professional. It has to, because none of us work in exactly the same manner. Personally speaking, I am a recording musician. I’ve worked with (and continue to work with) some mighty fine engineers and mixers. I’ve worked in, and for, some mighty fine studios. Thus, I generally know what acoustics in a professional audio environment should be. Before this review, I personally didn’t enjoy such an environment. “I do need a Primacoustic Broadway panel-based acoustic solution kit,” I reasoned; I had seen them at nearly every pro audio industry trade show and liked their easily demonstrate-able physical qualities (and not to mention their looks). Further, I knew of many respectable engineers who work any way — and often, anywhere — they choose who have endorsed Primacoustic products. After much daydreaming and planning, true opportunity knocked; my office/studio — located on my home’s bottom floor in approximately 225 square feet of space — was flooded via city drain water … “and for the last time,” I said aloud to anyone who would listen. So, I received a chance to improve things via a small, but personally affecting “Act Of God” (says Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, who, by the way, offered no help assistance in the matter). But I digress. Upon tearing out wall-to-wall carpet and filling in the delinquent exterior door opening with 8-inch glass block (take that, flash floods), I covered the concrete floor with textured, stone-like 12” X 12” porcelain tile, then replaced toe molding and touched up paint. While enjoyable and rewarding, I was relieved when the rather big DIY job was done (as were the relatives that helped me do it)! To finish this total redo of my residential audio workspace — and to balance its new form with equal functionality — I ordered a Primacoustic Broadway kit for what had become an uncontrollably loud, but attractive live/work space, ridden with standing waves and flutter echo thanks to its nearly cubic shape. Previously, this work environment was still not accurate frequency-wise, but also boring and dead sounding (apparently, thanks to all the carpet). Presently, it is an accurate yet pleasing, acoustically rich and — dare I say it — acoustically complex workspace. Best of all, it is capable and flexible, can be flooded with natural light, and my day-to-day coworkers — my family — really like it. L to R: two MaxTraps, stacked (one is concealed by a guitar amp); a two-inch thick, 24 X 48-inch square-edged panel; and a two-inch thick, 12 X 48-inch beveled-edged panel. A three-section Stratus Cloud hovers overhead. APPLICATIONS Tracking, mixing, and mastering studios; audio broadcast facilities; home/project studios; home theater/audiophile environments FEATURES A complete line of acoustic treatment components based fire-rated 6lb.-per-cubicfoot high-density encapsulated fiberglass panels and black MDF cabinets/enclosures; fabric coverings in black, grey, and beige; easy-to-use Impaler panel mounts (no glues or adhesives); professional, “non-foam” look; Broadway system acoustic design (with provided room measurements) and consultation by a Primacoustic acoustic engineer is included PRICES $599.99 (London 12a room kit with anchors, screws, and drill bit); $399.99 each (MaxTrap); $119.99 per pair (Cumulus); $199.99 (Stratus, per 24”x48” panel) CONTACT Primacoustic | ¤ 604-942-1001 | · http://www.primacoustic.com/ index-broadway.htm L to R: Two two-inch thick, 12 X 48-inch beveled-edged panels and two MaxTraps, stacked, create the front left corner of the room, which is currently set up for live drum tracking. FEATURES Broadway panels are made of high-density (6 lb. per cubic foot) encapsulated fiberglass with resin-treated panel edges and covered with acoustically transparent polyester fabric. The panels have achieved the ASTM E 85-05 Class A fire rating, meaning that they are safe and legal for installation in any commercial environment. The panels are available in black, grey, and beige; according to the company, they can be covered with a second fabric to better match or to develop a unique décor. Broadway panel measurements include 1, 2, 48 | ProAudio Review | September 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.primacoustic.com/index-broadway.htm http://www.primacoustic.com/index-broadway.htm http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - September 2008

ProAudio Review - September 2008 Contents Publisher’s Page: It's A Hard Drive World Broadcast News and New Products Lawo mc256 Digital Production Console Studio News and New Products Earthworks PM40 Piano Mic System Onkyo Professional PR-SC885 HDMI 1.3a Surround Sound Processor Developments and Trends: Instrument Microphones Benchmark Media DAC1 Pre Focal Twin6 Be Studio Reference Monitors Cascade FAT HEAD II Blumlein Package Studio Projects CS5 Microphone M-Audio Pulsar II Small-Diaphragm Condenser Live News and New Products JBL MRX512M Live Monitor QSC: Behind The Scenes Contracting News and New Products Primacoustic Broadway Professional Acoustic Solutions Buyer's Guide: Contracting Amplifiers/Mixers Buyer's Guide: Contracting Speakers Single Slice: pc muñoz "Chatter & Buzz"

ProAudio Review - September 2008

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