Grand Central Recording Studios Launches Audio Lab 2 Studio

Grand Central Recording Studios has launched Audio Lab 2 – a purpose-built facility offering the first of its kind in dedicated Dolby Atmos Theatrical and 3rd order Ambisonics (TOA) immersive audio sound design and mixing.

Following on from the successful establishment of GCVRS – the studio’s specialist VR arm – the opening of Audio Lab 2 brings together outstanding capabilities for both film and 360 / VR audio. With almost 10 years of research and development informing the build, the studio is equipped to produce unrivalled integrated, immersive soundscapes.

Grand Central has built itself a formidable reputation mixing cinema trailers for the likes of Universal, Studio Canal and Working Title among others. The introduction of a full Dolby Atmos Theatrical installation was a unique opportunity to be part of the next big thing in cinematic sound. Leveraging off the 32+1 Atmos speakers, GCRS also added an additional 16 lower level speakers enabling the world’s first mixed Dolby Atmos Theatrical and TOA studio for VR work. 

Throughout the project, run by studio manager, Chris Lagden, GCRS founders Carole Humphrey, Ivor Taylor and Raja Sehgal collaborated with a host of renowned experts to ensure a best-in-class facility. Following a complete redesign, Guy Wilson of AKA created a unique semi-modular system for the room, allowing flexibility for future developments, David Bell of Whitemark Acoustics oversaw the acoustics while Matt Dobson of Exigy lent revolutionary expertise in the area of speaker design to provide optimum wide dispersion sound levels in the studio. A staggering 56 speaker channels and 70 speaker cabinets have been fitted.

As a pioneer in the area of spatial audio technology, Richard Furse of Blue Ripple Sound collaborated with David Bell on the Ambisonic design. Overcoming some of the challenges in 360/VR sound design workflows, clients will now be able to hear mixes develop in live-time from a dedicated work area. The needs of both film, VR and commercial clients were considered throughout with Carole and Ivor leading on the interior working design.

Ivor Taylor, technical director and co-founder, GCRS, said: “We have been exploring the opportunities around Dolby Atmos and spatial audio for many years now, learning a huge amount and making working discoveries throughout the process that have since been validated. The culmination of this is a ground-breaking sound design and mix facility, that not only caters for contemporary film, commercial and VR projects but has the capacity to evolve as new technologies and techniques emerge in future.”

Carole Humphrey, managing director and co-founder, GCRS, added: “We have invested significantly in developing Audio Lab 2, seeking out the best talent and technology to put behind this project as part of our ongoing commitment to our clients and the wider sound design industry. It is an exceptional facility which sounds absolutely amazing and it will dramatically enhance the way both our engineers and clients are able to work on film and 360 / VR projects.”

Audio Lab 2 is open for sessions with immediate effect.