NILES Acoustics & Design (2026)

09/12/2025

Take a peek at our 2022 project for , located in the heart of Nashville’s 12th South district.

This 2,500 sq. ft. commercial facility was meticulously designed to accommodate up to seven writers’ rooms and production suites—each capable of operating simultaneously without interruption, with four of the rooms built for mixing capabilities. With seamless audio integration throughout, the space ensures intuitive connectivity no matter where you are on the property.

The aesthetic palette, paired with a loud and quirky speakeasy vibe, creates a fun atmosphere that reflects the owners’ personalities. The result is not just a studio that feels effortless—it’s an inspiring environment where writing, mixing, and production can happen with minimal sound transmission.

Behind the walls, the architectural acoustics are second to none. The design emphasizes a true “plug-and-play” workflow: each control room, both isolation booths, and all common areas are acoustically isolated with extraordinary attention to detail. Each suite is equipped with dedicated, silent 1:1 HVAC systems. Eight independent floating-floor systems support the suites, while tailored sound-reducing wall assemblies and intentional treatments in the main suites deliver clarity and precision for mixing. Full-lite doors, combined with the fact that no suite is mechanically bonded, allow all rooms to operate simultaneously with minimal sound transfer.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

11/11/2025

A look back at our 2022 project for Sovereign Grace Music ( ), based in Louisville, KY.

The staff at Sovereign Grace Music was second to none—a genuine joy to work alongside. We also collaborated with the talented team at , who handled much of the heavy lifting while the NILES team focused on sound reduction, audio integration, and acoustic treatments.

This purpose-built facility was designed to foster creativity and collaboration, delivering acoustic accuracy in every intentionally crafted space. The studio features a full-scale Control Room, a spacious Live Room, and a large ISO Booth designed for dry drum capture or vocal tracking during full live sessions.

This multi-purpose space supports both recording and video production, with ample lighting and clear sightlines throughout. Every square inch is wired for a true plug-and-play workflow, allowing entire bands to record seamlessly.

The Live Room feels sonically open and balanced—a blank canvas ready for any creative direction—while the Control Room is fine-tuned for hours of focused mixing. Centered around PMC 6-2 monitors ( / ), the system is tuned to perfection, ensuring that what’s heard at mix position translates precisely in the final master.

Behind the walls, the Control Room, Live Room, and ISO Booth are fully isolated with meticulous attention to detail. Independent floor systems support each suite, while custom sound-reducing wall assemblies and targeted acoustic treatments ensure clarity and precision. Because no suite is mechanically bonded, each can operate simultaneously with minimal sound transmission.

Design, Sound Reduction, Acoustic Treatments & Audio by NILES.

28/10/2025

An unbroken walkthrough of our project with power couple Latifah Alattas () and Lucas Morton () — from isolation to integration, powered by “The Ones” series monitors, this dual-suite studio was built to perform.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

15/10/2025

Our 2019 project with engineer Ernesto Olvera-LaPier marked one of our first fully immersive ATMOS builds—featuring full acoustic isolation, a M2 monitoring system, and every detail tuned for mixes that translate.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

13/10/2025

An unbroken walkthrough of our 2019 project with , Roasted Bean () — from isolation to integration, this backyard studio was built to perform as beautifully as it looks.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

09/10/2025

A dive into highlights from our 2019 project, Graybox (). Designing and building Graybox was a true joy—and one we’re still incredibly proud of. This studio stands out not just for its look, but for the thoughtful details that went into every square foot. Here are a few features that made this project something special:

1) Natural Light

From day one, the client’s leading priority was escaping the cave-like feel of their previous basement space. They wanted brightness, openness, and energy—and we kept that at the front of our design focus. From custom windows in the Live Room to skylights in the loft, Graybox is absolutely drenched in natural light from sunrise to sundown. The result? A space that feels alive and inspiring all day long.

2) Mid- and High-Frequency Diffusion

Our handcrafted slot diffusers are a blend of form and function. Not only do they provide critical diffusion to control reflections at mix and tracking positions in both the Live Room and Control Room, but they also serve a hidden purpose—disguising the mechanical infrastructure within the walls. The result is a design that’s as acoustically smart as it is visually beautiful.

3) Forever the Unsung Hero: Mechanical Design

You don’t see or hear it—but you feel it. The VRF mechanical system installed at Graybox is whisper-quiet, surgically tailored to the space with precise load calculations. It meets all studio SPL and noise floor requirements while keeping the environment comfortable and controlled. Quiet, powerful, and perfectly tuned for studio life.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

07/10/2025

Let’s take a deeper dive into a couple of standout details from our 2018 collaboration with drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer Adam Box ()

1) Stone Diffusion in the Studio

One of our favorite acoustic—and aesthetic—features of this project is the stonework thoughtfully integrated throughout the studio. These stone surfaces serve as natural diffusers, breaking up and scattering harsh mid-range reflections that typically bounce off flat drywall. The result is a softer, more expansive, and musically pleasing sound, contributing both acoustic performance and visual character to the space.

2) Full Coverage Bass Trap Ceiling in the Control Room

One of the most impactful acoustic features of this project is the full bass trap ceiling in the Control Room. Designed and treated with 8-16 inches of insulation concealed behind a stretched fabric ceiling, this system offers exceptional low-end control and sonic balance from front to back. Combined with QRD ramp diffusers and full-height corner traps, the room is acoustically optimized for critical listening and production.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

02/10/2025

A look back at our 2019 project for the highly decorated Engineer/Mix Engineer and former instructor Ernesto Olvera-LaPier.

This was one of our first ventures into building a formal Dolby ATMOS mixing and mastering room (), and it was an absolute joy to bring to life.

The suite is fully acoustically isolated from the rest of the structure, with thoughtful details throughout: sound-reducing wall systems built atop floating floor assemblies, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, a false rear-wall trap, full-lite acoustic doors, and dedicated mechanical systems—all allowing Ernesto to work distraction-free, at any hour.

At the heart of the space is a JBL M2 monitoring system ( ), seamlessly integrated into the acoustic treatment for a sound that’s not only immersive but also incredibly detailed and articulate.

The space doesn’t just look effortless—it performs. Every element ensures that what Ernesto hears is exactly what will translate in the final mix.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

29/09/2025

A dive into highlights from our 2021 project with Latifah Alattas () & Lucas Morton (). Designing and building these suites to match their creative workflow was an inspiring challenge — and one we’re proud to showcase. Here are a few standout features that made these rooms something special:

1) Low-End Absorption

One of the most critical components of any mix-focused environment is managing low-frequency energy. Our approach aims for rooms that sound musical — not clinical. Rather than absorbing everything with the same material, we intentionally allow the top-end and some midrange to breathe using a mix of diffusion and non-absorption areas — always guided by the room’s geometry and measured response.

In these suites, we achieved that by implementing:

→ Rear false wall bass trapping, Slot resonators & ceiling clouds. This setup provides excellent low-end control — while preserving clarity and musicality across the spectrum.

2) Mid- and High-Frequency Diffusion

Form meets function in our handcrafted diffusion elements. These prime-7 fractal diffusers have become a favorite for our team — and for good reason. In these rooms, we suspended them behind the mix position, where they deliver musical top-end, while the rear wall traps low-end energy.

Diffusion and absorption were implemented on the front wall using slotted traps, which served two purposes:

→ Acoustically: allowed mid and high frequencies to breathe while speeding up low-end decay. Enhanced aesthetics.

3) The Unsung Hero: Mechanical Design

Rarely seen but deeply impactful, the VRF mechanical systems in these suites are second to none.

→ Whisper-quiet performance, fully meeting our SPL and noise floor metrics. Each suite is equipped with its own dedicated system, ensuring no cross-talk between room.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

26/09/2025

A deep dive into acoustic highlights from our 2021 project with Latifah Alattas ( / / ) & Lucas Morton (). Both Latifah and Lucas are exceptional producers, engineers, multi-instrumentalists, and mixers. Designing and building these suites to match their creative workflow was an inspiring challenge — and one we’re proud to showcase. Here are a few standout features that made these rooms something special:

1) Low-End Absorption

One of the most critical components of any control room or mix-focused environment is managing low-frequency energy. Our approach aims for rooms that sound *musical* — not clinical — avoiding the “sucked out” feel of overly anechoic spaces. Rather than absorbing everything, we intentionally allow the top-end and some mid-range to breathe using a mix of diffusion and selective non-absorption areas — always guided by the room’s geometry. The key is marrying the decay time from 20Hz to 20kHz in a smooth, musical way.

In these suites, we achieved that by implementing:

→ A rear false wall
→ Strategic ceiling clouds
→ Slot resonators along the front wall
→ 6”–10” of 8 lb Rockwool throughout key absorption zones

This setup provides excellent low-end control — particularly below 300Hz — while preserving clarity and musicality across the spectrum.

2) Mid- and High-Frequency Diffusion

Form meets function in our handcrafted diffusion elements. These prime-7 fractal diffusers have become a favorite for our team — and for good reason. In these rooms, we suspended them behind the mix position, where they deliver musical top-end scattering while the rear wall traps low-end energy.

This arrangement prevents high frequencies from bouncing back too quickly, maintaining a precise yet natural stereo image.

Additional diffusion and absorption were implemented on the front wall using slotted traps, which served two purposes:

→ Enhanced aesthetics (a detail the client loved)
→ Acoustically: allowed mid and high frequencies to breathe while continuing to manage low-end buildup

3) continued in the comments…

25/09/2025

Let’s take a deeper dive into two standout details from our 2019 collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller () at his private Nashville space, affectionately known as .

1) Full Bass Trap Ceiling in the Control Room

One of the most impactful acoustic features of this project is the full bass trap ceiling in the Control Room. Designed and treated with 10 inches of rockwool concealed behind a stretched fabric ceiling, this system offers exceptional low-end control and sonic balance from front to back. Paired with soffit diffusion and full-height corner traps, this room is acoustically dialed—allowing Ian to confidently run his MM27 monitors without compromise, even in a more compact space.

2) Handcrafted Wooden Diffuser in the Live Room

Another remarkable detail is the handcrafted diffuser in the Live Room—a true labor of love built by Ian himself. Over several weeks between touring and studio sessions, Ian cut, stained, and installed each piece by hand. He chose a soft, porous wood, left unsealed to serve both diffusion and absorption roles. Not only did this elevate the visual aesthetic of the room, but it also reshaped the sonic character—bringing warmth, clarity, and dimension to the space.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

16/09/2025

Looking back at 2019, Graybox () set the bar with a natural light–drenched design that redefined what a “home studio” could be—pushing the envelope of both aesthetic appeal and modern building science. Every detail was handled with care to ensure the visual softness is matched by uncompromising acoustical accuracy. Designed to remain timeless, Graybox is a refreshing breath of air for years to come.

While the aesthetic focus emphasized natural light and openness, the architectural acoustics and mechanical design are anything but typical of a home studio. The Control Room, though modest in footprint, is a finely tuned “golden ratio” suite with intentional treatments, anchored by a pair of Barefoot () monitors, while the Live Room gains a sense of scale and sonic depth from its soaring 16’ ceiling. Expansive glass throughout amplifies the natural light and enhances the immersive atmosphere, creating a space that feels as inspiring as it sounds.

This 950 sq. ft. environment was crafted as a creative hub equally suited for video capture and music recording. The design balances acoustic precision with an open, airy canvas ideal for TV and Film. The client’s vision was clear: a space where any engineer, producer, or artist could walk in, sit down, and get to work with ease. With intuitive flexibility at its core, the studio can host a film crew with dynamic camera options, capture a full live band tracking session, or house a string ensemble—all while maintaining effortless flow and seamless audio integration throughout. Graybox has been home to countless recording sessions, and video captures for Capitol Records (), Meinl Cymbals (), The Dove Awards (), Gibson (), just to name a few.

Design, Build & Audio by NILES.

Start your studio journey at niles.co

NILES Acoustics & Design