Sound Temple Studios & RG Productions

Cardine/Rosser/Page/Guerguerian Recording Session

2011-04-26T05:49:00.001-07:00

This was an amazing 2 days of recording with Billy Cardine on dobro, River Guerguerian on percussion, Chris Rosser on Piano and Zack Page on bass with Michael Hynes doing a great job engineering. This was some of the finest music I've heard in a studio session to date. These guys really played well. Also, some of the biggest hearted musicians I've had the pleasure of working with. Looking forward to the completed CD.

Blessings to all.

Robert

Moog Foundation with Erik Norlander Filming at Sound Temple Studios

2011-03-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Bob Moog Foundation Announces Local Filming of Educational Video

Erik Norlander and Custom Moog Synthesizer to Teach Basics of Sound Sculptiing

March 11, 2011 – (Asheville, NC) The Bob Moog Foundation will be filming an educational video featuring synth rock legend Erik Norlander and his massive custom modular Moog synthesizer. The filming will take place at the brand new Sound Temple Studios (http://www.soundtemplestudios.com/ located in west Asheville.

In keeping with its mission of igniting creativity at the intersection of music, science, hisotry and innovation, the Bob Moog Foundation seeks to use Norlander's extraordinary instrument as an engaging educational tool. The 22 oscillator synthesizer, with over 100 Moog modules that date from April 1967, will be the star of the video. Norlander will guide viewers through Moog history and technology using the instrument to demonstrate both basic and advanced parameters of sound synthesis. One segment from the filming will be posted on YouTube for worldwide public benefit. The remainder of the material will be made into an educational DVD that will be marketed to electronic music departments throughout the US, England and Australia.

Sound Temple Studios, owned by producer/engineer Robert George, has been chosen by the Bob Moog Foundation for its world class facilities, beautiful interior and gracious floor plan, all of which provide the ideal filming and recording environment.

Speaking about his new studio which just opened on this February, George states “I moved my business to Asheville because of the thriving music and spiritual community here. For this size town, the musical talent is amazing and so many musicians here have such a strong spiritual base. I am thrilled to be a part of this creative community and have found it very welcoming; business has begun to come in and lots of people are excited about Sound Temple Studio's unique offering. I'm very excited that the Bob Moog Foundation chose Sound Temple for this project. The beautiful studio surroundings, world class acoustics and equipment will serve this project well. I am a big fan of Bob Moog's work and legacy and think having a Moogseum here in Asheville will provide an important resource to the local community. Sound Temple Studios is pleased to support that effort.”

Many other local businesses have made this recording possible, including Hotel Indigo. Early Girl Eatery, Cucina 24 and Asheville Pizza Company. The technical and video staff are donating their services to make this effort a reality.

Erik Norlander performed a successful fundraiser, Moogus Operandi, for the Bob Moog Foundation in May 2010 at the Orange Peel. Over 500 people attended and 13 local musicians performed Norlander's music. Norlander returned to Asheville to participate in Moogfest 2010 as a participant in the “Power of Modular Synthesis” panel that was hosted by the Bob Moog Foundation. The Wall of Doom was the centerpiece of that presentation.

About The Bob Moog Foundation

The Bob Moog Foundation (www.moogfoundation.org) honors the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog through its mission of igniting creativity at the intersection of music, history, science, and innovation. Its projects include MoogLab Student Outreach Program, which brings electronic musical instruments into the schools to teach children science through music, the Archive Preservation Initiative, an effort to preserve and protect the inventor's extensive and historic archive and the future Moogseum, an innovative educational, historic, and cultural facility that will bring Bob Moog's spirit alive. It will be located in Asheville, NC in the years ahead, pending necessary funding.

The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent, donor-driven 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and is not formally affiliated with Moog Music, Inc.

About Sound Temple Studios

Sound Temple Studios was designed by Wes Lachot - a world class studio designer from Chapel Hill N.C.. Built around a SSL mixer, with an array of high end outboard gear and microphones, this 2,000 square foot facility offers some very unique amenities. Sound Temple Studios designed and constructed as a sacred recording space. The design utilizes Feng Shui, a clockwise flow, sacred geometry and a balance of the elements. Sound Temple Studios inspires creativity, brings it forth in a balanced acoustic space and then captures it with state of the art equipment. The control room acoustics and monitoring system allow for the perfect mix to come together at the end. For more information contact Robert George at 828-633-2149 or go online at http://www.soundtemplestudios.com/

Erik Norlander is a progressive rock keyboardist, composer and producer from California. He has written and produced over 30 albums since 1993 with his chanteuse spouse Lana Lane, his band Rocket Scientists, his own solo albums and numerous guest appearances. Erik's evocative keyboard technique is reminiscent of the legendary Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz and Jon Lord while still very unique and forward-moving in its own right. Erik has personally led sound design efforts on several major brand synthesizers, and his knowledge of synthesis and audio engineering are second to none. Erik's perpetual live use of vintage and classic instruments, particularly Moog synthesizers, give his concerts a depth and authenticity of sound seldom seen in modern stage productions.

Sound Temple Studios Grand Opening Party

2011-02-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

Here's some photos of our grand opening party. There were lots of singer songwriters, artists, engineers, producers and musicians who attended. The comments were very positive and it seems lots of folks are anxious to make music in The Sound Temple. I am very thankful to all this amazing support.

Namaste

Robert George

More pics of Sound Temple Studios and the artist suite

2011-01-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

Here's some more pics of the new Sound Temple Studios and the artist's suite (including the artist's bedroom).

168 hours later Sound Temple Studios FINISHED!!!

2010-12-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a journey over the previous 14 months. This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I have ever done. I am so grateful to everyone who has assisted in this project. You can see the results of the control room, live room, the three isolation-booths, the lounge etc. There are also some shots of an impromptu celebration and a visit from Lizz Wright (a new Asheville resident), who graced us with her amazing voice with some Christmas carols. The pictures speak for themselves, so please enjoy. Many blessings

Robert George

Well it's been quite a journey over the last 14 months. This has bee one of the most challenging and rewarding thins I've ever done. I'm so grateful to everyone who has assisted in this project. You can see the results of the control room, live room, the 3 iso-booths, the lounge etc. There's also some shots of an impromptu celebration and a visit form Lizz Wright (a new Asheville resident) who graced us with her amazing voice with some Christmas carols. The pictures speak for themselves I think so please enjoy. Many blessings

Robert George

Another 48 hours at Sound Temple Studios

2010-12-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

Well the back wall of the control room is nearly done except for the RPG diffusers. The custom equipment credenza (built by a terrific cabinet maker and bass player - Rob Geisler) was installed just a couple of hours ago. The iso-booths should be done tomorrow after we made a small change with the sound panels. The live room is done and the final wiring is well on it's way. Also, the Zero Seals are being added to every door to create a sound seal at every door opening. It;'s very exciting and overwhelming. I am blessed to have such a great crew. Tony Brett and his team and Thom Canova and his team are ROCKING IT as is my trim carpenter Don Thompson and my electrician Bob Hendrickson. Man it's crowded down there.

Namaste from Sound Temple Studios in Asheville N.C.

Sound Temple Studios in Asheville N.C. progress as of 12/12/10 - getting closer!!

2010-12-12T06:35:00.001-08:00

Just 2 days later the progress is pretty amazing. Most of the fabric is up on the soffits now. You can see all the panels in the live room and also a view from the control room of the double doors in the 3 iso-booths with sound panels in between. Also note the way every inch of fabric needs to be hand tucked into the soffits and some of the walls. Very time consuming and Brett Acoustics is doing an amazing job. These guys are perfectionists.

Sound Temple Studios 48 hours later 12-10--10

2010-12-10T17:29:00.001-08:00

Well in just 48 hours a lot has happened at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville N.C. All the framed acoustic panels are up in the live room and the 705 material, insulation and some of the fabric is up in the soffits (for bass trapping). The acoustic cloud is also up in the live room and we have new colors on the control room window. Gone is the dark brown. Yea!!! I think everyone is going to love the beauty we've put into this studio. THe acoustics are also amazing. This is a recording studio musicians will feel so peaceful and inspired in. I can't wait to share my lifelong dream and make some inspiring music in this studio.

Blessings to all

Robert

Here; comes the final acoustic treatments for Sound Temple Studios

2010-12-07T10:16:00.001-08:00

Well the final push to complete the Sound Temple Studios in Asheville N.C. is well underway. Two truck loads of acoustics have arrived! Everything is on schedule to be complete Dec 21st after a delay with the acoustical panels. The good news is all those acoustical panels are here! Brett Acoustics has bee putting up the track for the 705 acoustical material and putting in insulation for the soffit base trapping. The control room window is being built as I type as well. Since my last post, all the doors and most of the glass has been installed and lots of trim. The musicians lounge and artists suite is also complete. The Yamaha C-6 Grand Piano was also delivered last week and is getting used to it's new home in the "Piano Booth". The wiring crew arrives this sunday to start the final wiring and then the final pics and room tuning is scheduled with Wes Lachot (the amazing designer) on Dec 21st. More soon. I'm so thankful to see this final stage here at last!

Sound Temple Studios is now a Protools Studio

2010-11-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

Big news at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville NC. We now have Protools 9 here. This will make us compatible with lots of other studios, engineers and producers who use this industry standard software. Protools now is native and will work great with our high sample rate 24 channel SSL converters. The first 2 questions most people ask when inquiring about a studio is do you use Protools and what kind of mixer do you have. Now the answers at Sound Temple Studios are YES and an SSL mixer. Good answers I think. :-)

The studio is scheduled to be done just before Xmas. The entrance, lounge, meditation room and bathroom are complete. THe Yamaha C6 Grand Piano arrives this saturday. More trim and studio doors to be finished next week. Then the final acoustic treatments and final wiring.

I'm thankful very blessed to see my dream studio come together. This is a lifelong dream coming true. Please don't pinch me. :-)

Sound Temple Studio's Yamaha C6 Grand Piano

2010-11-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of the 7 foot (well ok 6'11") Yamaha Grand coming to Sound Temple Studios. This is a pic of it in it's former home in a celebrity's home studio in Nashville. It is in mint condition and has had very little use. The action and hammers are pristine. In case you are not familiar with the C6 it is just a few inches shorter than the more familiar C7. For recording the C6 is actually more desirable by some because of the action and the more balanced bass (tighter bass). Anyone who loves playing a real piano will love recording with this instrument. This will be one of the finest studio grand piano's in Asheville and I am thrilled and blessed to have it.

The studio will be complete in a few weeks and more pics are coming soon of the completed lounge area.

Here's some updated information. http://www.robertgeorge.net/production/newstudio.htm

Blessings

Robert George

Floor and ceiling done at Sound Temple Studios

2010-10-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Another few weeks of construction have passed at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville N.C. The stained and waxed concrete floors look really cool. Very much like a stone/marble kind of look. Very warm as you can see. It looks even better in person. Whew, 9 days (13 hours each day) to complete and my back is killing me. :-). Also, all the trim is sealed and ready to be put up starting this week. Lot's of wood and this isn't even all of it! The ceiling in phase 2 is done and was painted to match the walls. It's a nice custom look. You can also see how the control room window wall will look from the live room where the musicians will be. Next week the trim goes in and the kitchenette will be put in. This recording studio sure is a labor of love and the energy gets better in here every week. Other music producers, engineers, artists and musicians will love making music in here. There's a buzz going around Asheville and a lot of people are really looking forward to working here. I am blessed that it is turning out the way it is. It seems to be coming alive more and more each day.

Blessings

Robert

Drywall and paint done!!

2010-09-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

There's a lot to report from this past month or so at Asheville's newest and most unique recording studio - Sound Temple Studios. All the drywall is done in phase 1 & 2 and all the painting is done except for the trim. The colors are all very warm and earthy. This should help create the spiritual vibe this recording studio is all about. In addition most of the electrical is complete except for the final lighting. Also most all the air-conditioning is done. Next week we start staining the floor. It's gonna be a lot of work but should be beautiful after it's stained and waxed. The following week the drop ceiling goes in phase 2. After that we start putting in doors and trim and then final acoustical treatments and final wiring. Right now we are projecting late October or early November to open our doors and start recording some music!!!. So far Asheville NC has been very welcoming to this recording studio and we are very grateful.

Blessings

Robert George

Soffits and air conditioning ducts are in!

2010-08-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been busy at Sound Temple Studios. All the air conditioning ducts and soffits are in the studio, control room, iso-booths and sound locks. Next up we have just a little more drywall, installing the air handler and ducts in the mechanical room, electrical panels and light cans. Everything moving along at a good pace.

Some other exciting news is that I will have a Yamaha C6 grand piano in the recording studio. This will be one of the few studios in the area with such a fine piano. Piano players will love this instrument, as will other producers, artists and engineers. It is in mint condition and sounds amazing.

Also, I just ordered an awesome set of Phattie drums (see http://staufferpercussion.com/). Dennis Stauffer is one of the finest boutique drum makers in the country (he lives in Asheville) and I am proud to own and play his drums exclusively at Sound Temple Studios. The coolest thing is that he is matching the drums to the red oak wood trim in the studio!

I'll be updating next after some more progress.

Blessings to all and thanks for taking interest in this project!!

Robert

Recording studio inside walls framed and wires in place

2010-06-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

You can really see how the whole studio lays out now. The live room is nice and big. The control room is as well. The iso-booths are roomy and will be very functional for all types of recording. Several people have said the shape of the control room looks like the Starship Enterprise. There's about 1,300 feet of Cat6 wire in the walls for headphone monitoring, video and midi. (See pic of my tech wiring guys Thom Canova and Daniel) There's Gepco 2,4,12 pair audio wire everywhere so that wherever you want to plug in and rock - it will be easy and quick. Gepco wire is physically identical to a high quality and famous brand of wire from the far east that begins with the letter M. :-) All the electrical has also been run in the walls including the special star ground outlets to keep away nasty hum and buzzing in the audio chain. I've had lots of people come by and given me some terrific feedback about the potential for Sound Temple Studios in the Asheville and Western North Carolina music and audio post scene. It seems that this studio will fill a wonderful niche in terms of it's acoustics, size, equipment, and costs to record here.

Speaking of equipment - I am now the very proud owner of an SSL Matrix mixer. Sound Temple Studios will be the first studio in the area with a SSL console. Mixing through an SSL console gives your recording that sound that thousands of hit records have. Lots of musicians in town are very excited about this. Also, I have just purchased some amazing soffit mount main monitors. THe Dynaudio M3As are amazing. This will be one of the most accurate sets of monitors to mix on in the area. Combine this with the near flat response control room down to 2ohz (designed by Wes Lachot) and producers, engineers, artists and bands will have a place to get some amazing mixes. There's also some great new preamps and a microphone or 2 coming before completion.

That's all for now.

Blessings to all

Robert George

Outside shell of studio complete

2010-06-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

06/07/10

Sound Temple Studios in Asheville North Carolina has been moving along quite well in the last couple of weeks. This is gonna be a very quiet studio indeed. You can see in the pics that all the insulation was done on the outer shell walls. Next the Isomax clips were put up with the hat channel to hang the drywall on. The Isomax clips isolate the drywall on the walls from the framing and lowers the bleed from room to room in the studio by about 6 db or more. As you can see from one of the side views, we are also using 3 layers or 5/8 drywall as opposed to 2. This will be significant when an engineer is trying to get good separation on all the tracks and will make overdubbing and mixing easier.

So now the entire shell of the studio has drywall (ceiling and exterior walls). The framers arrive today to frame all the interior walls. By the end of this week the entire studio will take shape. This is a very exciting week indeed. I've also been working with Wes Lachot on picking out the colors and fabric to enhance the "Temple vibe" in the studio. I learned this week that the word Temple comes from the Latin word Templum which means "open space". This is very fitting because the clockwise flow and floor plan do create a very open, flowing space in this recording studio studio. Musicians, engineers and record producers will surely appreciate this subtle energy flow when making music.

The next blog will show all the framing. Stay tuned

Namaste

2010-05-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's been awhile since I've posted and we are past the half way point now. I have a new stair case for easy access for musicians to the recording studio and (2) 1,000 pound steel beams supporting the upstairs (see pics) where the old stairs used to be. This was scary to watch the guys winch these colossal beams up in place and then put in the steel support columns to hold them up. Then we actually framed phase 2 (see pics) before phase 1 due the schedule of the carpenters. All the audio cable conduit and electrical conduit is in the floors. Then we had to get all the HVAC and electrical in the ceiling so the drywall guys could put up the Isomax clips, hat channel and (2) layers of drywall on the ceiling to isolate the studio from the upstairs. The back entrance door has been relocated and leads into the lounge or the studio. The drywall for the exterior shell of the studio will go up next week. All the plumbing rough is done now and my new bathroom/laundry room will be functional in a week or so (no more laundry mat!!). The interior studio walls go up the week of June 6 with more electrical, tech wiring and HVAC following close behind.

I already have (2) new clients I'm starting pre-production with before the studio is done. Peggy Ratusz, (an amazing blues and R & B singer) and Gene Wall Cole, (a terrific singer-songwriter). That's exciting! Asheville is certainly opening up for me and as a record producer and engineer, I really feel this is the right place for me and Sound Temple Studios.

I look forward to the next blog that will show the latest progress.

Best wishes and many Blessings

Day One of Construction at Sound Temple Studios

2010-03-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

3/23/10

Well day one of construction of Sound Temple Studios has finally arrived. The guys are cutting concrete for the plumbing and next the carpenters will be putting in the new stairs for easier access in and out of the studio. I've been waiting a long time to build my dream studio and this dream has started to take form. I'm thankful for this opportunity to have a world class studio to make beautiful music in. May this studio be a blessing to all involved. Many people have helped me along the way to get to this point and I'm also very thankful to ALL of them. Here's a couple of pictures of the first day. Namaste

Robert's new studio in Asheville, NC!

2010-02-01T18:40:00.000-08:00

Robert George Productions is excited about the all-new Sound Temple Studios, currently under construction in Asheville N.C.

Sound Temple Studios will be unlike any other studio you have experienced in many ways. Wes Lachot Design out of Chapel Hill N.C. was contracted to design this studio. He has created world class studios all over the country, but for this studio he was asked to create a sacred space - a “Sound Temple”, if you will. As it turns out, Wes has been studying the ancient temples for many years as part of his passion - architecture. He has included Sacred Geometry, a balance of the Four Elements, a clockwise energy flow, various other sacred techniques and 20 years of studio design experience to create an amazing vibe in this studio.

Here’s Wes in his own words:

“I decided to embrace the square - the ultimate expression of Unity - as the main design element. The 1 : 1 ratio, or the Unison in musical terms, is represented in the Music Room Cloud, as well as in the individual cloud panels. The Trinity concept is introduced by the fact that the overall Unison of that cloud is divided into three individual cloud panels in each dimension (nine total).

The Control Room Cloud takes all of that a step further by creating a 3 : 2 ratio, which is musically speaking a Perfect 5th, (extremely harmonious), and in Sacred Geometry terms is one of the Fibonacci Series expressions of the Golden Ratio. The two clouds add up to the next Fibonacci Series Golden Ratio, and so on. There's stuff in there you will be discovering for years to come, trust me.”

So even if you don’t understand what he is talking about (it’s a little over my head, too) you will love “the vibe” in this studio.

The acoustics and the layout of the studio space will be impressive. The rather large live room will have one side that is “more live”, while the other side will be “less live”, creating a versatile recording environment. The iso-booths will be fairly neutral and will be very accommodating to all instruments and vocals. There will be a total of six isolation spaces (more than most studios) including the big live room - all with tall ceilings and great sight lines. Or, if you would prefer to let everything “bleed” in one big acoustical space, there are double doors in the 3 main iso-booths that can open up for tons of ambient bleed right into the live room. There will also be a very cool lounge and a meditation room coming in phase 2 of the construction.

Of course there will be lots of great microphones, preamps, compressors, converters, monitors etc., to make your music sound it’s best - not to mention a great owner/producer/engineer to help bring your music to it’s highest level. (Other producers and engineers are also very welcome.)

Bottom line, whatever style of music you want to record and whatever recording style you prefer, Sound Temple is the studio that can suit your needs. :-)

More details and pictures to follow. Stay tuned, and “stay tuned in”.

Namaste,

Robert George