Counting Little Richard, Talking Heads and Melissa Ethridge as part of its heritage, Clear Lake Recording in North Hollywood has been part of the American music recording scene for nearly 50 years. Recently, current studio owner Eric Milos called in RSPE Audio Solutions to help transform Studio B, one of four world-class rooms, from a 5.1 surround set-up to being able to accommodate 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos.

Studio B was built in 1992 to with the studio’s longer-term projects in mind. In 2015 it was converted from a long-term lockout space to a fully-featured overdub and 5.1 mix room. By 2016 Clear Lake began to drastically increase its backline so artists could record with top-of-the-line instruments and amplifiers.

A few years later, Milos has made a further upgrade, calling on the expertise of Russ Belttary at RSPE Audio Solutions to transform the room from a 5.1 surround set-up to a 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos system, complete with the newest range of PMC monitor loudspeakers.

‘We want musicians to want to come here,’ says Milos. ‘We’re always pushing the envelope with our look and capabilities to stay ahead of the game.’

RSPE, known for its expertise in integrating analogue and digital audio with the film and music industry, was up for the challenge. ‘The stakes are incredibly high in this business for companies like Clear Lake Recording,’ says Belttary. ‘Our mission is to give them the very best guidance, service and products in creating a state-of-the-art recording studio.’

Using the standards set by Dolby, RSPE designed a full digital workflow with flexibility and simplicity in mind. The team knew that to achieve the ultimate in sound quality it had to recommend the perfect amplifiers to seamlessly connect with the Avid MTRX, DADman software, and a Dolby Atmos hardware renderer. Enter LEA Professional Connect Series 354D – its integrated Dante connectivity eliminates unnecessary analogue conversions for the purest signal and lowest noise floor possible.

Complementing the vintage Trident 80b analogue mixing console and custom Augspurger main monitors in Studio A, Studio B is centred on a Pro Tools Ultimate system, with PMC 6-2 monitors for LCR, two PMC 8-2 subwoofers and ten PMC Ci45 surrounds. Additionally, there are Yamaha NS10, Genelec 8250 and Adam A7 monitors, with Adam S3X-Hs available on request.

For the 9.1.4 system, RSPE used three LEA Connect Series 354D Amplifiers for the overhead and surrounds – a four-channel, 350W/channel amplifier. As part of the Dante Connect Series, the 354D offers three connection option, enabling Clear Lake to engage the built-in Wi-Fi access, connect to the studio’s Wi-Fi, or to any local area network via Cat5 or Cat6.

While sound quality was of critical importance, Milos wanted amplifiers that were reliable and easy to use. ‘The LEA amplifiers fit the bill and were able to be tucked away in the machine room, thanks to their renowned dependability,’ says Belttary.

‘The result of this meticulous attention-to-detail and cutting-edge technology is nothing short of astounding,’ Milos says. The sound quality and specifications meet the highest standards, earning Studio B the prestigious designation of being a PMC Near-Field Reference Room.

‘Our goal was to have a reference quality mix room that any of my high-profile clients can come to and have a sonic experience that parallels big budget Hollywood studios,’ he adds. ‘Thanks to LEA and RSPE, mission accomplished, not impossible.’

The next generation of music greats looking for their next big break could walk through the front door tomorrow at Clear Lake Recording in North Hollywood. When they get there, they’ll get to work with a visionary in Eric Milos.