Composer, mixer and sound designer Jeffery Alan Jones has an eclectic portfolio of over 200 films, winning him more than 50 awards at film festivals worldwide. Jones works from a personal studio nestled in a lush, tranquil canyon on the outskirts of Los Angeles featuring a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos mixing room, powered by PMC Speakers.
After decades of working in the typical dark, grey boxes where most audio for TV and film is mixed, Jones needed a change. “I wanted to get away from the city,” he explains. “We’re surrounded by nature here. It’s a very inspirational place to mix, to write music, to create, to relax, to be inspired.”
Transforming a five-car garage into a state-of-the-art studio presented challenges, from relocating a massive water heater to acoustically treating the room. Jones partnered with the Los Angeles-based design firm RSPE Audio Solutions to realize his vision. “Russ and his team have built, maybe, more Dolby Atmos mixing rooms than anyone else in the world,” Jones says. “If there was anyone who could turn a garage into a benchmark post-production facility, it was them.”
Central to the system is an Avid MTRX-II feeding the PMC speakers: two PMC8-2 XBDs, one PMC8-2 and six ci65s. Jones does most of his work on an Avid S6 control surface fitted to a custom-built powered stand; essentially a superpowered standing desk.
A key point of the design was a massive acoustic trap between the garage doors and the rear of the LCR in the mixing room. Installed with PMC8-2 XBDs behind an acoustically transparent screen, this front section is an effective barrier, shielding the room from what little road noise outside exists while providing powerful bass management.
Balancing the ongoing treadmill of professional deadlines with the need for creative inspiration is a delicate dance. Jones often juggles multiple projects simultaneously, encompassing roles as a composer, sound designer and mixer. “Typically, I’m working on seven movies at any given time,” he shares. “It can be very, very demanding.” To navigate this, he emphasizes the importance of a serene environment. “Being in nature really helps. It keeps you calm. It keeps your mind clear.”
Combined with the reliability of his tools, this tranquillity, forms the foundation of his workflow. “With the tools I’m using – PMC, the S6, Pro Tools – it really integrates all that and makes the workflow so easy and manageable when I am under these massive deadlines,” he attests.
A seamless integration of high-quality equipment in Jones’ new studio has not only enhanced his efficiency but also forged an atmosphere where creativity can thrive.
