When to think about designing a Media room?

NOW! Okay, perhaps we are little biased here at Rives Audio, but seriously think about it at the earliest stages possible.

Whether you are building a home, adding on, or refinishing a basement or bonus room over the garage for a theater or media room planning is really important.

The first step is getting the dimensions right. This will have a huge impact on the overall sound and sometimes only a few inches can make a big difference.

Second is to consider seating and equipment placement. Can you fit enough seats? What type of seats? What type of speakers? How big should the screen be? There's a lot to think about here--but taking this step carefully will yeild a room to enjoy for many years to come.

Third--now comes the acoustical considerations--our favorite part. But wait, these are highly influenced by the first 2 parts. That's one reason they are so important.

Last--building plans, so you or your contractor can execute on all this dillilgent planning.

Rives Audio does exactly this. We can walk you through each step educating you on the impact of each decision made so that you are happy with the final result.

How Can Rives Help?

While we can work with you through all the stages above, we also offer many free resources on our website.

We have published many papers on the web, such as this paper: "Designing a Media Room" on the Audioholics website. This is just one of the many free resources.

In fact there is a whole section on the Rives Audio website devoted to those that want to "do it yourself" with many free resources.

The most important thing is getting started. Rives can even help you for free there too. By just filling out the application form and faxing it in you will be contacted by one of our engineers to discuss what direction you might take. There is no obligation to hiring us from this form. You may decide to, or you may use the preliminary information we provde to design the space yourself. You have nothing to lose.

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What do you listen to?

Part 19
They did that!!??

Every now and then an artist does something outside of their typical genre and style. It can be very surprising--and occassion excellent. Given Russell Crowe's prior movies many did not think he would pull off his role in "A Beautiful Mind" convincingly--but he did.

Here are some of my favorites in music that I urge you to listen to if you haven't already found them.

1. Harry Belafonte - Harry sings the Blues. Classic 45 RPM single sided is really fantastic. Almost like he is in the room with you. I particularly like the first cut on the album. Okay--this was on last months recommendations, but it still qualifies for this month and I could not leave it out.

2. Chick Corea - the Mozart Sessions. This is with Bobby McFarrin. I love jazz piano and keyboard but never really knew Chick Corea's virtuosity until I heard this album. Be sure to read the liner notes!

3. Sinead O'Conner - am I not your girl. Old torch songs--I'm not kidding.  And she has a fabulous voice, though you might not know it from her pop albums when it runs through all those effects. This is a great recording and great renditions of superb songs.

4. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) - Opera's greatest moments. Okay, I'm kidding--there are limits.

I really like these albums above (the first 3 anyway). I hope you do to. And I imagine many people know some hidden treasures like these. Please write me and share. I like finding out about great music as much as you do.

Richard Rives Bird
President, Rives Audio