As its artistic global recognition of its music has grown, the need for audio production infrastructure to support Hawaii’s present and future talent has become increasingly pressing. Seeing the opportunity for a new creative and educational hub, audio engineer and educator Sam Fong of Hawaii’s Washington Middle School (WMS) looked to architectural acoustic consulting and media systems engineering specialist WSDG to create Line Studio at WMS, a world-class recording studio and audio education complex that is already making waves with aspiring and professional musicians along the island chain.

As the only school in Hawaii providing students with pro audio training, Fong and WMS Principal Michael Harano were well placed to foster what would become Line Studio. ‘We truly want to elevate the quality of life for our students and present them with opportunities that broaden their own vision of what their lives can become,’ Fong says. ‘The concept was to create a real recording studio that would have value for both our students and the local musicians of Hawaii – both sides of that equation were very important to us.

‘On the one hand with students, we could offer them a real opportunity to develop their minds and skillsets when it comes to audio and music that would be applicable whether they choose to work here or on the mainland. We also knew that by opening the studio up to public projects, we could enrich the culture for local musicians by providing opportunities that might not have existed before for them also in terms of recording and production.’

This community-focused approach was at the centre of the concept for Fong and his colleagues. Citing Hawaii’s close-knit local culture and rich musical heritage, he felt compelled to ‘dream big’ in what at first, seemed like an impossible project. ‘Music is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and people are proud of it,’ he says. ‘However it has always been difficult to make a living doing it here and we’ve lacked some critical infrastructure to support our musicians. We really wanted to make a difference for the community when dreaming up Line Studio.

‘Fortunately for us, that dream met reality the moment we approached John Storyk and WSDG.’

Fong and his colleagues then undertook a whirlwind tour of WSDG-designed studios in the continental United States to gather ideas for Line Studio. The synergy with the WSDG design team saw the concept quickly fall into place. ‘We were immediately intrigued by the dream that Sam presented us with,’ says WSDG’s John Storyk. ‘We knew right away that this would be a very special project for WSDG and an opportunity to play a critical role in providing something life-changing for the next generation of musicians and engineers.’

‘We were challenged to raise the horizons for recording in Hawaii with the design of Line Studio at WMS,’ says WSDG Partner, Director of Business Development and Project Engineer Sergio Molho. ‘To create something that would rival anything on the mainland and provide the next generation of Hawaiian musical talent with access to the best facilities and technology available.’

Led by WSDG Partner, Director of Production Romina Larregina, the WSDG design team used predictive analysis techniques to aid in the layout design of the room and optimise the acoustic environment of the unusual space.

‘We developed a spacious live room and large control room and floated the entire complex to assure total acoustic isolation,’ Larregina says. ‘To account for Hawaii’s unique weather conditions, we also designed a custom HVAC system to ensure ideal temperature and humidity conditions to preserve the studio and its components, as well as to provide a comfortable atmosphere for its occupants.’

‘We also created two Iso booths including one constructed around a 9ft grand piano. Both are fitted with sliding doors, which enable them to both enlarge and function as integral elements of the live room.’

‘It was important that the feel and vibe of the studio reflect its users and exist as a unique creative space,’ Molho continues. ‘The organic design sensibility grew naturally out of an attunement with the school and the local culture. Incorporating native woods and other local Hawaiian materials into these aesthetic and functional details also added to the sustainability of the project.’

‘WSDG has designed thousands of rooms, but this one was very special to us,’ adds Larregina. ‘We designed it to be an inspirational space where the only limit was the imagination of those inside of it.’

The media systems engineered for Line Studio at WMS played an equally critical role in the success of the project. The design of these systems, led by Molho and A/V Systems Senior Designer Federico Paez, had to reflect the latest in recording studios, education and webcast technology at the highest levels while still being accessible to the mixed age audience that would be using the space.

‘As a multi-use space, we needed accommodation for dedicated audio and video equipment that would also be accessible to a student audience,’ Paez says. ‘Accommodating both and providing facilities for crossover and collaboration was key to the success of the studio.’

For audio recording/mixing, WSDG specified a48-channel SSL AWS 948 analogue mixing console with Avid MTRX interfaces. Studio monitoring is provided by a custom Symphonic Acoustics speaker loudsystem, co-designed by George Augsperger and WSDG, as well as a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 ATC array for immersive audio production. The complex also includes a substantial equipment closet, a full complement of outboard gear, and a Sound Lock with wheelchair access. ‘Ultimately we wanted a level of technology that would give the musicians and students room to grow,’ says Paez. ‘Everything here is world-class and top of the line, which allows them to keep pace with the demands of recording technology without having to leave the islands.’

Video production for Line Studio is supported by a NewTek Tricaster-equipped broadcast station positioned opposite of the Control Room window with multiple view screens. This also serves larger classroom sessions when viewing angles are at a premium. All A/V components were provided and installed onsite by AVN | SYS. Final system tuning and certification was performed by WSDG’s Acoustic Engineer Pietro Gennenzi and Molho.