Three-time Emmy Award-winning sound mixer Stephen Tibbo has built a new Dolby Atmos mix room outfitted with JBL Professional 7 Series monitors, BSS and Crown DCi amplifiers.
Designed by Carl Yanchar and managed by Danny Fasold, the new space was built to deliver the precision and consistency required for film and television post-production.
Tibbo, best known for his work on acclaimed series including Modern Family and Nobody Wants This, began his career in production sound before moving into post-production and opening his own studio in Los Angeles. As demand for Atmos projects grew, Tibbo recognised the need to expand beyond his original space, which was limited by size. With design guidance from Yanchar and project management from Danny Fasold, Tibbo’s vision for a professional Atmos studio came to life after two years of planning, permitting and construction.
The 9.1.4 system includes JBL 708i loudspeakers for the front and surround channels, 705i loudspeakers for the height channels, and dual JBL Cinema Subwoofers.
“The JBL 7 Series monitors translate really well and offer a ton of value for their cost and size,” Tibbo says. “I had mixed on them a lot at other studios, so when Danny suggested we think about them, it was an easy decision.”
Crown DCi amplifiers provide system power and tuning, while audio is routed via an Avid MTRX interface with Dante integration through BSS BLU-DAN. Fasold emphasised that designing a Dolby-certified room required careful planning and collaboration.
“Stephen’s experience on the JBL 7 Series monitors really drove this decision,” Fasold says. “They’re very commonly used in post-production studios and they work extremely well in Atmos environments. Combined with the Crown DCi amps, we were able to time-align and tune the system to meet Dolby’s exacting standards. The end result is a room that delivers power, accuracy and consistency.”
For ADR work, Tibbo relies on AKG K371 headphones, which he praised for their comfort, isolation, and durability. “The AKGs are quiet and reliable,” Tibbo says. “When actors move during ADR, you don’t hear creaks or noise leaking through. They let us focus completely on performance.”
The project faced challenges typical of high-end builds in Los Angeles, including an extensive permitting process and budget constraints. Still, through clear communication and a shared commitment to excellence, Tibbo, Yanchar and Fasold ensured the studio was delivered to spec and on schedule.