Big Rock Audio
Can a room feel like a musical instrument?
This one does.
Big Rock Audio began as a personal studio built by producer and engineer Steve Metcalf. What started as a focused, private workspace grew into something worth sharing, and the decision was made to open the doors to others.
Today it’s a relaxed, well-built space where real performances can take shape — supported by carefully chosen microphones, quality preamps, and modern tools used with intention
This room wasn’t built with profit in mind. It was built so I could make music for myself.
From the beginning, I paid close attention to acoustics at every stage of construction. I measured constantly and worked toward specific technical targets known to deliver clean, consistent results. I didn’t want to fight the room or spend hours chasing mic placement just to get something usable.
Small rooms are notorious for low-frequency problems. Bass build-up and uneven response destroy clarity and make setup unpredictable. I wasn’t willing to accept that.
Every acoustic treatment in this space was designed, built, and tuned specifically for this room. It wasn’t instant. It took months of testing, revising, listening, and measuring to get it right.
The result is a room that’s neutral and balanced. Sounds come through clear and smooth — not harsh, not muddy. It’s a small space, but it doesn’t behave like one. It’s musical in the way a good instrument is musical.
There are subtle acoustic zones within it:
• A tighter, more controlled mix position
• A slightly more open midrange area where acoustic instruments breathe
• A drum area designed to keep attack clean and focused while preserving cymbal texture
With prior experience in acoustic design, I can honestly say this room exceeded my expectations.
It’s a great place to record. It feels good. It sounds right.
— Steve
The microphones here were chosen for how they actually record — not for hype or history. There are solid studio workhorses from brands like Rode, Shure, EV, and others that simply get the job done. With a range of condenser, ribbon, and dynamic microphones for instruments, vocals, and voiceover work. You won’t struggle to find the tone you’re after.
There are real tube guitar amplifiers, nice guitars, a solid bass rig, and a properly tuned kit with quality drums and great cymbals ready to go. If you prefer your own gear, you’re always welcome to bring it.
The preamps and conversion are professional-grade, and the monitoring system is extremely accurate and detailed. What you hear here translates — both in frequency balance and stereo image.
For in-the-box mixing, there’s a comprehensive selection of top-tier plugins from Soundtoys, SSL, Slate, UAD, and others.