Threshold Studios Project – Case Studies

Threshold Studios – Case Study

Transforming Minimal Rehearsal Spaces into a World-Class
Creative Recording Studio

INTRODUCTION


Audimodal Design collaborated with founding partners Anthony “A.J.”
Maltese and James Walsh to transform an unfinished rehearsal space
in Manhattan, NYC, into a demo recording studio for their band. What
started as a modest renovation soon evolved into a state-of-the-art
recording and audio production facility, ultimately becoming a
successful commercial studio open to outside clients.

CLIENT NEEDS & CHALLENGES


Initially, the goal was to improve the acoustics of a rehearsal space—
specifically, controlling the loudness of live drums and minimizing
sound bleed between microphones in a minimal recording setup.
Ensuring that musicians could rehearse without excessive noise
fatigue was also a priority.
During the design phase, an adjacent space became available. In
collaboration with an independent record company on the building’s
upper floor, the partners saw an opportunity to upgrade the studio into
a professional-grade recording facility. This shift in scope introduced
new challenges: achieving high-level sound isolation, optimizing
acoustic performance, and integrating the new control room with the
existing space.


DESIGN SOLUTION

Our initial focus was on improving the acoustics of the rehearsal rooms through strategically placed gobos, wall diffusers, and bass resonators. Once the expansion was confirmed, we redirected efforts toward designing a fully sound-isolated control room while maintaining seamless integration with the original space.

Key design solutions included:
  • Closing the original live room doorway and repositioning the
  • sound lock within the new space, reducing sound transmission
  • and creating space for a tape machine alcove and tech closet.
  • Floating the control room frame from the building structure,
  • despite ceiling height limitations, to ensure optimal isolation.
  • Designing a custom producer’s desk to accommodate a ProTools
  • workstation, acknowledging the evolving role of digital audio
  • workstations (DAWs) in studio setups.
  • Enhancing low-frequency control with a custom-built
  • resonator/diffuser, tailored to improve room acoustics for drum-
  • heavy recordings.
  • Incorporating a floated isolation booth for flexible tracking of
  • vocals, guitar amps, and other instruments.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

The studio build-out required precise construction methods to achieve superior acoustic performance:

  • A new doorway and viewing window were created between the
  • control room and live room.
  • The original hallway entrance was sealed, and a new entry was
  • established via a dedicated soundlock.
  • A floating floor was installed in the control room, resting on
  • Neoprene isolators to eliminate structural vibrations.
  • Sand-filled speaker pedestals were constructed and anchored to
  • the floor slab to ensure decoupled, vibration-free monitoring.
  • A custom dual 18″ subwoofer was isolated within its own floating
  • shell to prevent low-frequency transmission.
  • All flooring transitions featured a hidden lap joint to maintain
  • isolation integrity.
  • Triple-glazed control room windows were installed to maximize
  • acoustic separation.
  • Custom doors, casework, and all acoustic treatments were
  • designed and built by Audimodal Design.
  • A dedicated isolated ground technical electrical system was
  • implemented to support high-fidelity recording operations.
  • Interior design elements were tailored to enhance both the
  • studio’s aesthetic and functional workflow.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6


FINAL OUTCOME & IMPACT

Despite multiple design and construction challenges, the result was a high-performing studio environment that exceeded expectations. Threshold Studios has been a thriving creative space for over 25 years, serving artists, producers, and engineers in a facility designed for optimal sound quality and workflow efficiency. The transformation not only met technical goals but also established an inviting and inspiring space for music creation.


ADDITIONAL VISUALS


CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION

What This Project Demonstrates

The transformation of Threshold Studios showcases Audimodal Design’s expertise in acoustic engineering, space optimization, and innovative problem-solving. By addressing unique site constraints and evolving client needs, we created a recording studio that has stood the test of time, enabling artists to produce music in a world-class setting.

Ready to elevate your studio or performance space?

Contact Audimodal Design today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.

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