News-Creativity Requires Fresh Air
From MusicTechWiki
One of the most exciting updates in my music and audio production life is NOT equipment, hardware or software. It’s…drumroll please…HOLES in our walls! We're upgrading the Studio B control room in San Jose. This is ‘mostly’ for personal use composing, mixing and mastering. (and checking emails and grading assignments ;) We installed a new Mitsubishi Ductless Split HVAC system in this room a few weeks ago. The units work GREAT for maintaining a comfortable temperature. And it’s very energy efficient. But split ductless systems don’t provide ANY ventilation with the outside world. So, although the temperature is quite comfortable, the QUALITY of the air in this room is very stale and stuffy.
Creativity requires fresh air! Our brain requires OXYGEN. The air quality contributes significantly to the Prana (universal life force) in a room. It doesn’t matter how great your equipment or plug-ins are. Even perfect acoustics are useless without fresh air. Without proper ventilation we won’t last more than a couple hours before falling into a stupor. Stale, stagnant air makes us feel drowsy and foggy (and can be bad for our health).
The air conditioning system is often a major weakness and problem in recording studios. From home studios, to community colleges, to world class recording facilities, air conditioners are often the LAST thing people want to invest money in.
So in addition to the Mitsubishi ductless system, we’re adding two 14 inch ducts to bring in fresh air from the outside world. Of course, we would much rather be purchasing new fun toys, like tube microphones or modular synthesizers. An HVAC system is not the sexiest toy in the world. But it will be great to have a fully functional room that we can actually work, live and breath in.
