The SOUND Project

• How Quiet Is Quiet Enough? – The SOUND Project Ep. 135

  Gavin breaks down Noise Criterion (NC), a key metric used to measure how quiet a space really is. From HVAC systems to lighting buzz, NC ratings reveal what’s shaping your room’s background noise, and why small details can make a big difference in design cost, comfort, and clarity.Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.mediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBPGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwFull episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTFKeep up with us on our Socials:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/#TheSOUNDProject #Acoustics #NoiseCriterion #HVACDesign #StudioDesign #SoundEngineering #HaverstickDesigns #QuietSpaces #proaudioheaven Chapters:00:00 – Intro: What is Noise Criterion (NC)? 00:41 – Common causes of higher NC levels 02:05 – Target NC ratings by space type 03:50 – How to measure NC in real rooms 05:35 – Reading an NC curve 06:49 – Design fixes that improve NC ratings 08:37 – Why quiet rooms cost more to build 09:36 – Final thoughts on noise and design

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• The Perfect Mix Room Doesn’t Exist… Or Does It? – The SOUND Project Episode 134

  Gavin sits down with Jacob “Biz” Morris of Reach Records for a relaxed Q&A on building a dream mix room, the Texas move, and why six inches kept his last studio from coming along. We talk speaker picks, ceiling height, real budgets, the mirror trick for first reflections, Trinnov tuning, and why Atmos keeps popping up in studios and cars. Guest links:Website: https://www.reachrecords.com/Instagram: @jacobbizmorrisVideo By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.mediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoreThanMedia_The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBPGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwFull episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTFKeep up with us on our Socials:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/#TheSOUNDProject #HaverstickDesigns #BizMorris #ReachRecords #StudioDesign #Acoustics #Mixing #Trinnov #DolbyAtmos #HomeStudio #AudioEngineering #musicproduction Chapters:0:00 Welcome back to The SOUND Project0:28 Biz makes podcast history (three-time guest)1:06 The Atlanta studio that couldn’t move to Texas2:00 How six inches changed everything2:45 Starting over in Texas3:20 Designing a new studio from scratch4:00 One finished song and lessons from the old room5:05 Why the new homeowner uses it as an office6:02 Speaker talk, what makes a mix room “right”7:25 The ceiling height sweet spot8:20 Gavin’s ideal room dimensions9:10 The Flex 48 and acoustic treatment talk10:05 Budget realities of a pro studio11:10 What isolation really costs12:04 The mirror trick for first reflections13:20 Studio vibes vs technical perfection14:05 Mixing for Forrest Frank and life on tour15:15 Building “Mixd” and why it’s growing fast16:25 Finding purpose through sound and family17:40 The future of Dolby Atmos18:50 Why spatial audio isn’t going anywhere19:40 Wrapping up, faith, sound, and slowing down

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• IIC (Impact Noise) Explained - The SOUND Project Episode 133

  Gavin defines Impact Insulation Class (IIC) and shows how it relates to sound isolation for footsteps, furniture movement, and other floor-borne vibration. He contrasts IIC with STC (airborne noise), walks through the rating scale and typical code minimums, outlines recommended IIC targets for different building types, demonstrates how IIC is tested with a tapping machine (ASTM method; result rated per ASTM E989), and details practical ways to improve IIC, like carpet + pad, floor underlayment, floating floors, and when ceiling upgrades help. He also notes slab thickness effects and why avoiding stacked noise-sensitive rooms matters.Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.mediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBPGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwFull episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTFKeep up with us on our Socials:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/#SoundDesign #Acoustics #ImpactNoise #SoundIsolation #IIC #STC #RecordingStudioDesign #TheSOUNDProject #BuildingDesign #noisecontrol Timestamps:00:00 – Intro00:08 – What is IIC (Impact Insulation Class)?01:00 – Everyday examples of impact noise01:47 – IIC performance ratings explained (poor to excellent)02:28 – Recommended IIC levels for different building types04:09 – IIC vs. STC: Impact vs. airborne noise04:57 – Testing methods: tapping machine & ASTM standards05:44 – How to improve IIC: carpets, underlayments, floating floors07:21 – Ceiling treatments and design considerations08:08 – Concrete slab thickness & room stacking issues08:42 – Summary & key takeaways09:26 – Outro

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• Building Music, Community & Creativity - The SOUND Project Episode 132

  Gavin visits composer/educator Brett Ensley in his South Carolina studio live room (designed remotely by Haverstick Designs). You’ll hear Brett explain how he moved from baseball to music, the mentorship that pulled him into film scoring, and why he built a hands-on music academy that now serves about 100 students. Brett walks through their teaching approach (bands, songwriting, recording, and mixing fundamentals), how community and accountability shape progress, and how they stage live events for students at local venues. He also breaks down a commissioned score he wrote for the silent film Go West, 81 minutes of continuous music, and how he’s introducing local orchestra students to studio recording.Guest links:Brett Ensley Studios: https://www.brettensleystudios.com/Instagram: @brettensleystudiosVideo By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.mediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBPGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwFull episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTFKeep up with us on our Socials:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/#TheSOUNDProject #HaverstickDesigns #BrettAinslie #MusicEducation #FilmScoring #RecordingStudio #MusicCommunity #MusicAcademy #CreativeCommunity #SouthCarolinaMusic #StudioDesign #MusicTeaching #MusicStudents #MusicProductionTimestamps:00:00 – Intro with Gavin & Brett01:00 – Brett’s journey from baseball to music02:10 – Discovering film scoring and early mentorship03:20 – Teaching, track production & first studio build04:45 – Building a music academy during COVID06:15 – Teaching philosophy & student growth07:35 – Building community through collaboration09:00 – Student performances & live events10:00 – Growth to 100 students & expanding facilities11:10 – Composing for film & orchestral projects12:40 – Teaching recording & mixing fundamentals14:00 – Future vision: blending bands & orchestras15:20 – Growth from 10 to 100+ students16:40 – Why community makes creativity thrive17:45 – Reflections & closing

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• Understanding Decibels: How We Measure Sound - The SOUND Project Episode 131

  What exactly is a decibel, and why is it measured on a logarithmic scale? In this episode of The SOUND Project, Gavin breaks down the science of sound intensity, exploring how decibels work, why our ears perceive loudness the way they do, and how this knowledge applies in both studio and live sound environments.We’ll cover:-The origins of the decibel and Alexander Graham Bell’s connection-Why decibels are measured logarithmically-Real-world examples of decibel levels (from quiet homes to rock concerts and jet engines)-The importance of hearing protection and how filters work-How decibel changes are perceived versus measured-How multiple sound sources combine in terms of dB levelsWhether you’re a mixing engineer, a live sound tech, or just curious about how loudness works, this episode gives you a solid foundation in understanding decibels.👉 Comment below: What’s the loudest sound you’ve ever been exposed to?Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.mediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBPGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3JzcwFull episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTFKeep up with us on our Socials:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/#TheSOUNDProject #Decibels #AudioEngineering #SoundDesign #MixingTips #LiveSound #StudioRecording #Acoustics #HearingProtection #SoundPressureLevel #DBScale #MusicProduction #Recordingengineer Timestamps:0:00 – Intro0:08 – What is a decibel?0:18 – Named after Alexander Graham Bell0:42 – The formula for sound pressure level1:15 – Why decibels are logarithmic2:01 – Chart of decibel levels explained2:18 – Threshold of hearing and anechoic chambers2:51 – Everyday examples (home, conversation, cars)3:38 – Car horns, concerts, and loud sound sources4:56 – Pain threshold: jet engines and hearing damage5:02 – How much difference a 1dB, 3dB, 6dB, or 10dB change makes6:04 – Decibel reduction vs. perception6:39 – Acoustical treatment and noise reduction goals7:03 – Adding multiple sound sources (dB math explained)8:11 – Summary: why understanding dB matters in sound9:13 – Outro + question for viewers

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