Sacramento Garage Transformed Into Pro Audio Studio
Black Lava Studios offers a high-end sound environment built within a converted residential space.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Home Entertainment
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Advanced Systems Group has completed a professional-grade 9.1.6 monitoring environment inside a converted garage in Sacramento. The studio, owned by audio veteran Steve Schatz, provides a specialized workspace for film and music production.
Why it matters
The project demonstrates how high-fidelity acoustic performance can be achieved in non-traditional residential spaces. It serves as a resource for creators who require professional sound design capabilities in a private, local setting.
The studio features 15 Neumann KH 150 loudspeakers and one KH 870 subwoofer to support the 9.1.6 configuration. It incorporates a Trinnov D-MON processor and a Digital Audio Denmark AX64 interface for complex routing.
The players
Steve Schatz
He is the owner of Black Lava Studios and an industry veteran with 25 years of experience at firms including Universal, Disney, and Skywalker Sound.
Advanced Systems Group
They are a systems integrator and design firm that manages acoustic planning and technical infrastructure for high-end audio facilities.
RJ DeSanto
He is a representative of Melzak Media who assisted with the acoustic treatment and spatial layout of the studio.
The details
Advanced Systems Group engineered the room to include precise speaker placement, acoustic treatment, and electrical infrastructure. The layout is optimized to support the rigorous demands of professional sound design, film mixing, and music production.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: The project details were released.
Culture Shift
The rise of residential professional studios follows the broader industry trend of decentralizing production away from massive commercial sound stages. It marks a shift toward high-performance home environments that mirror the acoustic quality of major production houses like Skywalker Sound.
Local creators in Sacramento now have access to a professional-grade facility that removes the need to travel to major media hubs for sound design work. This conversion demonstrates that high-end production capabilities can be achieved within residential infrastructure.
The takeaway
This project highlights how precise acoustic engineering and modern processing can transform residential utility spaces into professional production hubs. Individuals looking to upgrade their own studios should prioritize professional room correction and speaker integration over surface-level aesthetic changes.
Further reading
Explore more audio-focused workspace designs in our Home Entertainment section.
Live Poll
Is now a good time for independent creative professionals to invest in a home-based studio?
