Plan B

    Two things happened to sabotage my master plan. First, rain and cold weather descended on us overnight making it not much fun to be working on outside projects around the house, so all that work is on hold for the time being. Then I got a call from a client wanting to work their project, on hold since COVID.

    So, I decided to go ahead and set up my recording equipment in the unfinished space. Actually, I first tried to set up part of it in our spare bedroom, but that quickly proved to be unsatisfying and awkward, though I did accomplish a long overdue upgrade to my recording software. 

The Vision

    This is an example of being flexible and adaptation. I had fully intended to completely  rehab the space, one reason being that with my construction background I have a natural aversion to unfinished rooms, but there was also an element of perfectionism. I had a vision. Having spent a lot of my career in beautiful finished world-class studios, I wanted to create that in my home. 

And I will, but later. 

    

OK, first I took all the equipment out and moved it into the garage, displacing the car for a while. Then, I laid out the carpet and tacked up the felt wall covering which immediately dramatically deadened the room. With its high ceilings and cement floor had been like a shower stall. Next, I had to place the foam absorbent wedges. I put a couple up somewhat randomly, and then got the idea to line them up around the room, which both works to disperse sound and looks great. When I redo it next Spring I'll repeat this design.

    With that done, which took a couple of hours, I started moving equipment back in. The JBL speakers, vintage 1990, dominate the layout since they are actually intended to be installed in a bigger space requiring a louder volume. If I turned them up all the way, the bass would be so dominant as to be unusable, but with some attenuation they will be perfect. Another feature is a parabolic reflector that floats above the desk. It does have some acoustic function, but is mostly decorative. The power amplifier with its noisy fan lives out in the garage proper, so the result is a very quiet room, part work space and part sanctuary. 

    So I'm up and running, not exactly as I planned, and the next challenge will be to take it all apart and do it again next Spring. I don't mind saying that next to being onstage, I feel most a home in a recording studio.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

Singer/Songwriter Rick Millward lived and worked on the West Coast until moving to Nashville in 2000. He was part of the Music City songwriter community, collaborating with other artists and producing over 30 projects in his boutique studio, including two EMMY nominated soundtracks. Now in Southern Oregon, Rick has discovered a vibrant local music scene centered around the many tasting rooms. 

His records: "Limited Edition", "Home for Good", and “Loveland” are available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. His new recordings, "Astronomy" will be released later this year.

LOVELAND ON SPOTIFY