Amsterdam Mastering - construction thread

Darius van H · 26th August 2008, 10:37 PM

I'm happy to be able to start this thread, which will document the construction of my new mastering studio in Diemen (a suburb of Amsterdam)

This thread will be pretty mammoth as I intend to post lots of photos of this high-end build, so check back here regularily for updates.

The designer will be along shortly to give some technical info about the design.

Background to the project:

September 2007: With the arrival of my baby daughter I decided it was time to relocate my studio closer to my home (in Amsterdam). The search for a suitable building began, and I also began talking with various designers in the EU and US.

January 2008: A building was purchased and a designer contracted: Thomas Jouanjean of NORTHWARD Acoustics

Jan 08……August 08: Plans were drawn up and negotiations started with various building companies. Eventually I settled on this company, which specializes in precise, interior work. J van der Marel Constructing & Interiors

Ok, let’s get this madness going with some photos and plans and things.

Studio - top view - interior size = 42m2

side view

Building - front

Building - side

Building - inside 1 ceiling height = 6m

Upstairs - future edit room....let's not mention the carpet! - doh!

Darius van H · 26th August 2008, 11:24 PM

Building - inside 2

Studio in place

Jaques Beraques · 26th August 2008, 11:32 PM

Nice!!!!

And a roll-up door!!!

Amsterdam!!!

silverdisk · 27th August 2008, 02:17 AM

Thanks for posting, looks amazing!!!! Any chance you would discuss the acoustic treatments they designed?.... from the plans it looks like several layers of 703 type insulation at the back?

Airshow Mike · 27th August 2008, 04:17 AM

Darius,
Congratulations on the new space! It looks like it will shape up to be a beautiful mastering room.

I will follow your progress as I continue to post updates on our (Airshow's) new studio construction.

Let's see who finishes first. Just Kidding!

I wish you the best of luck.

-Mike

finetuner · 27th August 2008, 08:18 AM

Congratulations Darius.
With the building (high ceiling, yes), location and the fact that you dare to invest in such an endeavor in these times. "What do you mean, bad times for record industry ?"
Way to go and thanks for sharing the pics.

Maybe i can come over for a chat and grand tour some day ... then we'll finally meet in person. I'm sure Wim will be interested as well.

Good luck!

Lagerfeldt · 27th August 2008, 09:00 AM

Looks very cool!

mxeryus · 27th August 2008, 10:02 AM

Hi Darius,
Congratulations and keep us posted!

explorer · 27th August 2008, 10:12 AM

Congratulations. Looks like a great space!

Tommylicious · 27th August 2008, 10:30 AM

Wow, perfect place... and Amsterdam is a much better place than Hilversum!

Looking forward to this thread.

livingstone · 27th August 2008, 11:45 AM

congrats Darius

looking at the top & side view i can immediatly reconise the touch of a talented man !
Thomas is great !!

best choice !!

joerod · 27th August 2008, 04:27 PM

Me likes what I sees...

Darius van H · 27th August 2008, 10:22 PM

Thanks guys!

@Airshow Mike: indeed!................should be interesting!

Here's some photos of the space with the 2 walls removed (one was a floor to ceiling wall creating a storage area, the other was a darkroom on the first floor (no, it wasn't a gay club before i bought it, it was a photo studio!)

Darius van H · 27th August 2008, 10:24 PM

The steel decking arrives, ready for the construction of the floating floor:

Northward · 28th August 2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverdisk

Thanks for posting, looks amazing!!!! Any chance you would discuss the acoustic treatments they designed?.... from the plans it looks like several layers of 703 type insulation at the back?

Hi Silverdisk,

The massive bass trap in the back is indeed based on various layers of specific products, but it's not 703, it's a mix/sequence of many things.
Out of the outer wall / shell soundproofing, no rockwool is used in this design for internal acoustic correction. It's all high density paper cellulose based treatment. This bass trap system is called a "variable impedance trap". It basically uses various layers of various products, membranes and cavities that "filter out" and / or trap targeted frequencies.

I'll try and participate to the thread now and then when I have a bit of time.

Thomas @ Northward

Darius van H · 28th August 2008, 08:24 PM

Alrighty, here's some pics of the Sylomer (rubbery type material) being laid down. The sylomer isolates what comes above from the existing floor (more on that later!):

Cortez · 29th August 2008, 10:19 AM

Hey Darius,

Great idea to post the development of your new studio here! I will be checking it regularly.

Greetz,
Erik...

Bruce Keen · 29th August 2008, 11:28 AM

Looking good Darius.

It's great if you are able to find the time to show us the progression. It's also cool to know about the materials. A lot of stuff on the net is documented with US materials. The floor seems interesting.
I'll be pestering you along the way.

Cheers

andrebrito · 29th August 2008, 06:42 PM

This sounds like an awesome space, congratulations for Thomas on the design.

Darius van H · 29th August 2008, 07:24 PM

Erik, Bruce, Andre, thanks a lot!

Next step, laying the steel deck ready for the first layer of concrete

(Under the steel deck is 2 layers of OSB wood board, but i don't have a photo of that!)

lowswing · 29th August 2008, 10:45 PM

Darius is one of the best mastering engineers around here,
looking forward to work in the new place, it looks great!

Darius van H · 30th August 2008, 09:35 PM

Guy, thanks

Meanwhile, work has started in Brussels on the diffusers for the ceiling and back wall.

In total there will be 12 of these mothers!

Glamdring · 31st August 2008, 01:58 AM

Magnificent !

Keep the pics coming !

Colonel Blues · 31st August 2008, 11:18 PM

Awesome ! I'll keep awaken !

Gie-Sound · 1st September 2008, 10:20 AM

Maestro D,

Good to see it finally started

When are things scheduled to be ready?

Did you already figure out a new name?

Darius van H · 1st September 2008, 06:55 PM

Hey G,

Around 7-8 weeks should do it........the concrete needs to dry sufficiently because the oak floor will be glued directly on top - so that's a potential road-block. The contracter will measure the moisture in the concrete in about 2 weeks, then he'll be able to say for sure when the floor boards can be installed.

name: Amsterdam Mastering (good for the international clients

)

Darius van H · 1st September 2008, 06:58 PM

Next: The first layer of concrete has been poured:

**Geert van den Berg** · 1st September 2008, 07:00 PM

Congrats! The building looks awesome, and judging from the studio build pics, it looks like it's going to be impressive!

inlinenl · 1st September 2008, 07:30 PM

Whow !! you can't go on a decent holiday these days or Darius start really rocking !!!
Great looking building ... right place for the right man ... enjoy Darius ...

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26th August 2008, 10:37 PM	#1
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Amsterdam Mastering - construction thread I'm happy to be able to start this thread, which will document the construction of my new mastering studio in Diemen (a suburb of Amsterdam) This thread will be pretty mammoth as I intend to post lots of photos of this high-end build, so check back here regularily for updates. The designer will be along shortly to give some technical info about the design. Background to the project: September 2007: With the arrival of my baby daughter I decided it was time to relocate my studio closer to my home (in Amsterdam). The search for a suitable building began, and I also began talking with various designers in the EU and US. January 2008: A building was purchased and a designer contracted: Thomas Jouanjean of NORTHWARD Acoustics Jan 08……August 08: Plans were drawn up and negotiations started with various building companies. Eventually I settled on this company, which specializes in precise, interior work. J van der Marel Constructing & Interiors Ok, let’s get this madness going with some photos and plans and things. Studio - top view - interior size = 42m2 side view Building - front Building - side Building - inside 1 ceiling height = 6m Upstairs - future edit room....let's not mention the carpet! - doh! __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

26th August 2008, 11:24 PM	#2
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Building - inside 2 Studio in place __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

26th August 2008, 11:32 PM	#3
Jaques Beraques Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hamburg Posts: 545	Nice!!!! And a roll-up door!!! Amsterdam!!! __________________ "The drummer - who should be whacking the crap out of the drums and playing the cymbals softly and tuning the drums to sound great in the room " -Jules "i'll pay you $4001 to surgically remove your fingers." -aeonsound ,replying to a spammer

27th August 2008, 08:18 AM	#6
finetuner Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 423	Congratulations Darius. With the building (high ceiling, yes), location and the fact that you dare to invest in such an endeavor in these times. "What do you mean, bad times for record industry ?" Way to go and thanks for sharing the pics. Maybe i can come over for a chat and grand tour some day ... then we'll finally meet in person. I'm sure Wim will be interested as well. Good luck! __________________ Peter van't Riet FineTune Mastering "Would you cut your own hair for an important job interview, or have it done professionally ?" Tom Volpicelli

27th August 2008, 02:17 AM	#4
silverdisk Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 169	Thanks for posting, looks amazing!!!! Any chance you would discuss the acoustic treatments they designed?.... from the plans it looks like several layers of 703 type insulation at the back?

27th August 2008, 04:17 AM	#5
Airshow Mike Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 13	Darius, Congratulations on the new space! It looks like it will shape up to be a beautiful mastering room. I will follow your progress as I continue to post updates on our (Airshow's) new studio construction. Let's see who finishes first. Just Kidding! I wish you the best of luck. -Mike

27th August 2008, 09:00 AM	#7
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,578	Looks very cool! __________________ Producer & engineer Apple Certified Trainer in Logic Pro Popmusic.dk Production Hit Kit V3 Sample CD Urban & Electronic Beat Production - used on Billboard #1 hits (recently on: Katy Perry, Britney, Usher, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, The Pussycat Dolls)

27th August 2008, 10:02 AM	#8
mxeryus Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Dutch Mountains Posts: 219	Hi Darius, Congratulations and keep us posted! __________________ It's not speed that kills, it's the sudden deceleration of speed that does. ... Jeremy Clarkson

27th August 2008, 10:12 AM	#9
explorer Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London Posts: 139	Congratulations. Looks like a great space!

27th August 2008, 10:30 AM	#10
Tommylicious Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Haarlem, Holland Posts: 785	Wow, perfect place... and Amsterdam is a much better place than Hilversum! Looking forward to this thread. __________________ " Innovation will come from the folks who focus on creating great experiences for their listeners with the tools at hand. " -> Bob Ohlsson Tommy

27th August 2008, 11:45 AM	#11
livingstone Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium // Brussels Posts: 364	congrats Darius looking at the top & side view i can immediatly reconise the touch of a talented man ! Thomas is great !! best choice !! __________________ no time________________no sound Frederic Alstadt Ångström mastering :::::::: mastering for the alternative

27th August 2008, 04:27 PM	#12
joerod Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 383	Me likes what I sees... __________________ Joe Rodriguez MusicMasteringOnline "You pay for experience in mastering, not gear. Anyone can buy gear and pretend, and you generally get what you pay for." -Stephen Marsh- "Give us a decent mix and your music will reach a maximum delivery potential" -Edward Vinatea-

27th August 2008, 10:22 PM	#13
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Thanks guys! @Airshow Mike: indeed!................should be interesting! Here's some photos of the space with the 2 walls removed (one was a floor to ceiling wall creating a storage area, the other was a darkroom on the first floor (no, it wasn't a gay club before i bought it, it was a photo studio!) __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

27th August 2008, 10:24 PM	#14
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	The steel decking arrives, ready for the construction of the floating floor: __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

28th August 2008, 08:24 PM	#16
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Alrighty, here's some pics of the Sylomer (rubbery type material) being laid down. The sylomer isolates what comes above from the existing floor (more on that later!): __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

29th August 2008, 10:19 AM	#17
Cortez Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands Posts: 4	Good work! Hey Darius, Great idea to post the development of your new studio here! I will be checking it regularly. Greetz, Erik...

29th August 2008, 11:28 AM	#18
Bruce Keen Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Paris France Posts: 180	Looking good Darius. It's great if you are able to find the time to show us the progression. It's also cool to know about the materials. A lot of stuff on the net is documented with US materials. The floor seems interesting. I'll be pestering you along the way. Cheers

29th August 2008, 06:42 PM	#19
andrebrito Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 344	This sounds like an awesome space, congratulations for Thomas on the design. __________________ Studio Design, Home Cinema/Studios Assistance, Large Room Acoustics projects - UK and Portugal. Online Consulting for the rest of the world We also sell acoustical diffusers at affordable prices, starting at 70 € / piece each ! http://www.onlineacoustics.com Music - http://www.myspace.com/spinous

29th August 2008, 07:24 PM	#20
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Erik, Bruce, Andre, thanks a lot! Next step, laying the steel deck ready for the first layer of concrete (Under the steel deck is 2 layers of OSB wood board, but i don't have a photo of that!) __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

29th August 2008, 10:45 PM	#21
lowswing Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 1,170	Darius is one of the best mastering engineers around here, looking forward to work in the new place, it looks great! __________________ Guy Sternberg Engineer, Producer LowSwing Studios, berlin www.lowswing.de

30th August 2008, 09:35 PM	#22
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Guy, thanks Meanwhile, work has started in Brussels on the diffusers for the ceiling and back wall. In total there will be 12 of these mothers! __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

31st August 2008, 01:58 AM	#23
Glamdring Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 229	Magnificent ! Keep the pics coming !

31st August 2008, 11:18 PM	#24
Colonel Blues Gear Head Join Date: May 2008 Location: France Posts: 59	Awesome ! I'll keep awaken !

1st September 2008, 10:20 AM	#25
Gie-Sound Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Netherlands (yes that's the country surrounding Amsterdam!) Posts: 335	Maestro D, Good to see it finally started When are things scheduled to be ready? Did you already figure out a new name? __________________ *** GRTX GIE _________________________________________ "If you can limit your choices so that every decision supports a specific production goal, that's what makes great records." [Geoff Emerick]

1st September 2008, 06:55 PM	#26
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Hey G, Around 7-8 weeks should do it........the concrete needs to dry sufficiently because the oak floor will be glued directly on top - so that's a potential road-block. The contracter will measure the moisture in the concrete in about 2 weeks, then he'll be able to say for sure when the floor boards can be installed. name: Amsterdam Mastering (good for the international clients ) __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

1st September 2008, 06:58 PM	#27
Darius van H Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,010	Next: The first layer of concrete has been poured: __________________ My new studio construction thread now: www.wisseloordmastering.com soon!: www.amsterdammastering.com

1st September 2008, 07:00 PM	#28
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,592	Congrats! The building looks awesome, and judging from the studio build pics, it looks like it's going to be impressive!

1st September 2008, 07:30 PM	#29
inlinenl Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 769	Whow !! you can't go on a decent holiday these days or Darius start really rocking !!! Great looking building ... right place for the right man ... enjoy Darius ... __________________ Greetings/Regards Wim Bult www.inlinemastering.com The Netherlands