The SOUND Project

Gavin breaks down Noise Criterion (NC), a key metric used to measure how quiet a space really is. From HVAC systems to lighting buzz, NC ratings reveal what’s shaping your room’s background noise, and why small details can make a big difference in design cost, comfort, and clarity. Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/ TikTok:...

Gavin sits down with Jacob “Biz” Morris of Reach Records for a relaxed Q&A on building a dream mix room, the Texas move, and why six inches kept his last studio from coming along. We talk speaker picks, ceiling height, real budgets, the mirror trick for first reflections, Trinnov tuning, and why Atmos keeps popping up in studios and cars. Guest links: Website: https://www.reachrecords.com/ Ins...

Gavin defines Impact Insulation Class (IIC) and shows how it relates to sound isolation for footsteps, furniture movement, and other floor-borne vibration. He contrasts IIC with STC (airborne noise), walks through the rating scale and typical code minimums, outlines recommended IIC targets for different building types, demonstrates how IIC is tested with a tapping machine (ASTM method; result rate...

Gavin visits composer/educator Brett Ensley in his South Carolina studio live room (designed remotely by Haverstick Designs). You’ll hear Brett explain how he moved from baseball to music, the mentorship that pulled him into film scoring, and why he built a hands-on music academy that now serves about 100 students. Brett walks through their teaching approach (bands, songwriting, recording, and mix...

What exactly is a decibel, and why is it measured on a logarithmic scale? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin breaks down the science of sound intensity, exploring how decibels work, why our ears perceive loudness the way they do, and how this knowledge applies in both studio and live sound environments. We’ll cover: -The origins of the decibel and Alexander Graham Bell’s connection -Why d...

Gavin sits down with Stephen at Vintage Sound Studios to unpack a 30-year journey from four-track dorm recordings to launching a purpose-built facility with tall ceilings, a spacious live room, multiple ISO booths, and dual studios. We get into why “big rooms” still matter in a bedroom-studio world, how thoughtful layout unlocks flexibility (A/B sessions, teaching + mixing simultaneously), and how...

Gavin breaks down the Doppler effect, the apparent change in frequency caused by motion between a sound source and a listener, and why it matters for creators and engineers. From sirens and passing cars to bats, ultrasounds, GPS, and even cell networks, you’ll learn the core equations, the speed of sound (~343 m/s at room temp), what changes when the observer is moving, and practical takeaways for...

In Episode 128 of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with audio engineer John Spicer at his studio, Broken Soul in Maryland. John shares his journey from church sound engineer to building a basement studio designed for both personal growth and professional projects. We dive into: - The challenges of isolation in a small footprint. -Turning a personal creative space into a professional hub for arti...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin breaks down flutter echo, that metallic ping-pong-like sound you hear when audio bounces between parallel walls. Whether you’re designing a new studio or trying to fix acoustic issues in an existing room, this episode will help you understand how to create clearer, more accurate sound environments. Share your own Flutter Echo experiences in the comments!...

In this episode, Gavin sits down with Kevin Short from Midsouth Audio to explore his 36-year journey in the industry. From starting out as a recording studio to becoming a full-service AV company, Kevin shares how technology, leadership, and relationships have shaped the path forward. Learn how audio has evolved from analog to digital, how COVID transformed live production and streaming, and why s...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with AJ Fager, founder of Force Tech, to talk about leading the complete audio, video, and lighting upgrade at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. From testing slip rings to moving from active to passive systems, AJ shares the problem-solving, planning, and teamwork it took to modernize one of the region’s premier performance venues. They also di...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with AJ Fager, founder of Force Tech, to talk about leading the complete audio, video, and lighting upgrade at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. From testing slip rings to moving from active to passive systems, AJ shares the problem-solving, planning, and teamwork it took to modernize one of the region’s premier performance venues. They also di...

In this episode, Gavin kicks off a new series on acoustical terminology by breaking down STC (Sound Transmission Class). Learn what STC really means, how it’s used in the industry, and why it doesn’t always tell the full story. Whether you're an architect, contractor, or just acoustics-curious, this episode will help you better understand how sound blocking works (and where STC falls short). V...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with worship pastor Drew McElhenney at Grand Rapids First to share the powerful story behind Studio33:3. What began as a dream in memory of Sarah turned into a multi-year, community-backed project to build a state-of-the-art recording studio dedicated to worship and the next generation of Christian artists. From early basement recordings to Atm...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with Nick Mac from Electric Feel to break down what goes into designing clean, flexible, future-proof studios. From custom cable manufacturing to control room orientation and patch bay planning, Nick shares what he’s learned over a decade of wiring complex, high-performance recording environments. Video By: More Than Media - www.morethan.mediaI...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with longtime collaborator Matt Call, founder of Simplified Acoustics. They talk through the realities of building acoustically treated spaces and Matt shares his approach to problem-solving in the field, what makes studio installs different from theaters or churches, and why lighting, construction, and treatment all need to work together.

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with Josh Nyback, a lifelong musician turned studio builder, who’s made a name for himself designing and constructing high-performance, custom acoustic spaces. He shares his evolution from band practice rooms padded with mattresses to building complex, fully isolated recording studios. The conversation dives into how his musical background shap...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with Jason Carson—former chief tech and VP of operations at Record Plant. Jason shares his path from runner to studio integration expert, what it was like designing Chip Freeman's studio, and advice for those looking to break into the audio world. From wiring diagrams to teaching young engineers, Jason’s seen it all. Video By: More Than Media -...

What’s really happening at the boundary between your speakers and the surface they sit on? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin talks with Dave Morrison from IsoAcoustics about the science behind speaker isolation, how IsoAcoustics products improve clarity and imaging, and why these solutions matter in both professional and home audio environments. They also cover immersive audio setups, so...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with James Good from Vintage King to talk about his journey into studio integration and design. James shares how he got started at Guitar Center Hollywood, his role at Vintage King, and how large-scale studio projects like Studio 333 come together from concept to reality. Video By: More Than Media - www.morethan.mediaInstagram: https://www.inst...

What’s it like to mix front of house for legends? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin talks with FOH engineer Brian Bavido, who’s spent nearly 20 years touring with Ringo Starr and has worked with artists like Norah Jones, Dashboard Confessional, Lisa Loeb, and more. Brian shares his story of getting into audio through Heathkit projects, how venue acoustics impact his mix decisions, and wh...

In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with Joe Milne from Sweetwater Integration to talk about his career path—from playing guitar in youth group to overseeing multimillion-dollar AV design projects. Joe shares insights into working with churches, studios, and large-scale venues, what makes a good integrator, and why relationships matter more than gear. Video By: More Than Media -...

What’s it like to go from touring arenas to creating in your own studio? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin talks with professional drummer Andrew Marshall about his journey building a personal creative space. Andrew shares how he found Haverstick Designs through YouTube, what mattered most in the design process, and how he’s learned to balance life on the road with life in the studio. Vi...

What do you learn after three decades covering the audio industry? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with Tom Kenny (Editor of Mix Magazine) to talk about his journey from journalism grad to one of the largest magazines in professional audio. They cover industry changes, the role of storytelling, what makes a good studio designer, and why relationships are still everything in t...

How do you turn motherhood, jazz, and a love for cartoons into a full-time career in kids music? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin talks with Lucy Kalantari—Grammy-winning artist, producer, and founder of Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats. They discuss how she got her start writing a song a week for her newborn, how her music ended up on Dora the Explorer, and how she built a thriving s...