Film composers Marco Beltrami and
Buck Sanders wanted to create a studio that was as unique as their
scores. The studio is perched on 20 acres in Malibu with spectacular
views of the ocean and mountains. The two-story, 4800 square foot
structure houses the main stage, capable of recording up to 40
players, two large ISO rooms and control room. Upstairs is Marco’s
composing studio plus lots of amenities.
John Kurlander and architect Gary
Williamson developed the facility with a few key elements in mind.
Because of the beautiful location, it was critical that every room
have inspiring views and the main stage was to have the feel and
acoustic quality of classic European studios and churches. John
also wanted the control room to be configured as a dubbing theater
versus the typical control room. The 7.1 Meyer Acheron monitors are
behind a woven screen with a 40 input D Command worksurface.
Kurlander brought in Jay Kaufman
and Associates to handle all of the isolation and acoustics needs of
the facility. The facility has been designed to exceed NC15 even
during high winds or rain. The main stage with it’s 28 foot vaulted
ceilings and 2.3 second RT60 produces a beautifully warm yet
detailed sound-field. The control room has a very even reverberate
field and translates perfectly to the dubbing theater.
Specs: - 4800 sq ft
studio on 20 acres - Main stage: 28 ft ceiling, 34
musicians - Soloist’s isolation booth: 4
musicians - Piano booth: 2 musicians + Steinway B
Grand - Choral balcony: 12 singers - 7.1 Theatrical
surround monitoring – Meyer Sound -12 ft Woven projection
screen - Mic Preamps: Millennia Media, Brent Averill,
Avalon, Helios/Raindirk - Microphones: Neumann, Sennheiser,
AEA, Coles, Royer, Bing Carbon, Placid Audio,
Sanken - Protools HD4, 40 Fader Avid
D-Command - Digital Performer - Ocean view guest
house |
Here is the village of Pianella as it stands
today. Marco’s grandfather was born here in 1886. Pianella is no longer inhabited, but is a 20 minute
walk from the town of Fornero which is located in the Valle Strona,
near Lago d’Orta in the north-western province of Novara in
Italy.
(Photo taken by local wood
artisan Doriano Piana.)
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The logo of Pianella Studios, was carved into a
piece of wood taken from the actual village of Pianella by Marco’s
cousins Edoardo and Paolo Savoia.
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