Studio33:3, a new recording facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the United States, has opened with a focus on immersive audio production and faith-based music creation. The studio was conceived by pastors Sam and Brenda Rijfkogel in memory of their daughter, worship leader Sarah Jannae Rijfkogel, who passed away in 2022.
Designed by U.S.-based Haverstick Designs, with gear integration by Vintage King, the facility features a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos mixing environment, anchored by Genelec Smart Active Monitoring, which is calibrated using Genelec’s GLM software. The monitoring system includes 8350A monitors for L-C-R, 8340A monitors for surrounds and height channels, a 7382A subwoofer and a 9320A Reference Controller, all finished in white to complement the studio’s minimalist design.
Executive studio director Drew McElhenny said broader shifts in the music industry influenced the decision to prioritize immersive capability. “With Apple Music making Spatial Audio the default listening experience, we wanted to equip our clients to translate the energy of a live worship set or their studio session into immersive mixes that fully surround the listener,” he said.
Alongside the Genelec system, the studio features an SSL Duality Fuse console, design contributions from Simplified Acoustics and Acoustic Fulfillment, and over 16km of hand-installed cabling. McElhenny noted that Genelec’s calibration technology was essential to fine-tuning the space, adding, “The GLM system was a game-changer in dialing in the room to sound just right.”
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