EARS is very pleased to welcome our special guest this month, iconic studio designer and acoustician Mr. Russ Berger, who will join us at Shure Head Quarters which bears his design work in the PLC studio (Performance Listening Center). Mr. Berger will be joining us via the marvel of Skype in Shure's state-of-the-art S.N. Shure theater.

Like many of us in the world of audio production, Russ began actively making music at a young age, migrating from piano to drums and percussion in the third grade. While in high school, he joined a local group of weekend warriors who had a hit song but lost their drummer. Session work followed, with one of his first studio gigs doing covers. "I was doing K-Tel sound-alikes...I was in a group the Original Artists...as in 'songs by the Original Artists.' Berger began doing work on the other side of the glass, and eventually became a studio owner as well as engineer. His interest in acoustic design was born out of the construction of the three studios where he had ownership. "I couldn't really find anyone to design my studios for me who knew what they were doing," he says.

Specializing in acoustical and architectural design for recording, broadcast, and entertainment facilities throughout the world, Russ Berger Design Group (RBDG) located near Dallas has established itself as one of the best problem-solvers in the industry. The multi-discipline staff offers experience in acoustics, architecture, electrical and mechanical engineering, interior design and all aspects of the recording industry. RBDG has been involved in more than 2,000 projects since its establishment in 1990, picking up a host of honors in the process.

In setting up for this meeting, it has become evident that Russ has a great sense of humor and is willing to share with us some entertaining stories from his adventures in the design world as well as some details of current projects underway. We have it on good word that he has recently been spotted hanging out with the likes of rock star Steve Miller. While working in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Russ narrowly escaped from Cairo on the last of 4 planes permitted to take off after the airport was shutdown, only because his plane was already on the tarmac. You will be hard pressed to meet a more adventurous and intriguing studio designer than Russ Berger. See you at Shure!

Here are just a few of the projects from the RBDG portfolio...