Sound Design
.JPG/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,cg:true)
Henderson Engineers 2025
After 14+ years at Sound Planning Associates, I have made a big change to my career. (not that big) In May of 2025 I will begin my new role as a Lead AV Consultant at Henderson Engineers. This removes my sales roles and focuses my time to supporting a large engineering firm in AV systems design and support within the staff.
Having a couple colleagues already there made this transition appealing. I look forward to sharing more once things get rolling.
Sound Design
Sound Planning 2010-2025
I have been making places sound good since the 1990s. It started in the late 80s at the Sound Post music store selling musical instruments and PA systems. After this, I started working for a company that mostly did worship sound systems in churches and synagogues. I also did systems in the Field Museum (all the speakers in Stanley Field Hall where Sue is) and several outdoor sporting fields. This means of making money while I was playing in my band was turning into a career by the late 90s.
I had been in bands since I was in high school, and made the most serious go at a career in songwriting and performing with Marigold Engine. Being the guitar player and also the audio nerd, I had built a decent home studio around Cakewalk's Sonar platform. I have and had been an avid builder of PCs and it had served me well. We released one CD in 2002 "In a Big Room" which was recorded and mixed at my home studio. (on Music Here)
I was VP of Sales & Systems Design at Sound Planning Associates, Inc. . We specialize in sound and AV for worship, theaters, schools and corporate facilities.
The image at the top of the page is from an acoustic study I built for St. Clement Parish in Chicago. This shows the predicted STI (speech transmission index) for the speakers in the audience areas. I use EASE to test and verify the sound reinforcement system and its impact on the room acoustics. This application is somewhat of a pain to use, but it is so helpful in systems design. I use it for every project and over the years of use I could build the models very quickly.