Audioguy Studios emphasizes the benefits of immersive audio with Genelec

The popular Seoul studio installs a Genelec 7.1.4 monitoring system based on The Ones' three-way coaxial monitors for immersive recording.

Audioguy Studios, a unique recording space in the heart of Seoul, has taken a different approach than many Korean studios. Focusing on acoustic music, including classical jazz and the “Gukak” style of Korean classical music, the facility has chosen a system of monitoring Genelec 7.1.4 based on the three-way coaxial monitors of The Ones, to allow you to fully embrace immersive recording techniques.

Audioguy's main recording space differs from others in the country, consisting of one large room rather than a series of isolated recording booths. By taking this approach, the studio has been able to take advantage of the unique acoustic qualities of its recording room.

Jung-Hoon Choi, founder of Audioguy Studios, comments that “typically, studios make the reverb time as short as possible to primarily record the direct sound of the source, while Audioguy has a longer reverb time of 2.7 seconds, more like a concert hall.”

"We are able to record not only direct sound from the source to the microphone, but also a large amount of reflected sound from the walls, ceiling and floor. Our intention here is to produce music with a unique and colorful sound," he adds.

This type of environment has made the recording in 7.1.4 be an interesting process. “With a very long reverb time, our recordings can emphasize all the benefits of immersive audio in 7.1.4 by capturing all the resonances and reverb of the room,” says Choi. "We can record using an ambisonic microphone to capture the immersive atmosphere, and spot mics to capture the individual instruments. However, the ambisonic and spot microphones tend not to mix well, so we have tried to separate the two different microphone setups by using the ambisonic microphone to cover the .4 channel content, as well as the rear channel source. The front and side sources are covered by the additional spot microphones next to the instruments to capture the unique, atmospheric feel of the content."

The results of this process are monitored and mixed using the Smart Active Monitors Genelec coaxial cables, supplied by Genelec's local Korean distribution partner, Sama Sound. The system comprises three 8351As as LCR, eight 8331A monitors as surround and overheads, with a 7370A subwoofer handling LF functions, and the entire system configured, calibrated and controlled using Genelec's GLM software.

Software GLM de Genelec

"When immersive 7.1.4 audio needs to be mixed correctly in a limited space, precise monitoring is essential. The point source quality of The Ones is a must, and I would be very confused when making mixing decisions without the standardized in-situ frequency response, level and delay corrections that Genelec's GLM software offers. Using this system, the 11 individual monitors sound exactly as they should – which is very focused. Therefore, we can mix in the most precise and exact, and when the mix is done, the GLM makes it very convenient and easy to switch between 3D, binaural and stereo formats and analyze the differences,” reflects Choi.

Looking to the future, Choi is also determined to make the best of the new Audioguy studios setup. "As we now have this beautiful 7.1.4 immersive audio system, we will be actively recording, mixing and mastering more immersive audio content. Aside from their extraordinary precision, Genelec monitors are very interesting and fun to work with," he concludes.