Like Hearing Music for the First Time: In 2013, after years of creating commercial installations for superstars like Coldplay, Ariana Grande, and 50 Cent, Michael Way had the time and funding to pursue his ultimate goals in audio technology. Fully understanding the drawbacks to system designs and technical compatibility issues, he founded Sound Pressure Labs (SPL) as a solution. In the 12 years since the veteran musician, sound engineer, and live audio systems designer launched his revolutionarily immersive TrueSPL™ technology, he has distilled its sonic impact to four simple branding phrases—“Like hearing music for the first time,” “Most incredible sound control ever heard,” “Makes live production sound like studio-produced music,” and “We make cinema-quality music for every environment.” From 2014-16, he leased the Garberville Theatre in Humboldt County, CA to test and apply the theories that would create the programming foundation for TrueSPL™.
Hub of Entertainment and Sonic Innovation: Over the course of 200 shows and festivals purposed for R&D, proof of concept, and scalable systems applications, “Real Time Spherical Sound” was born from a hybrid digital-analogue modification, integrated with an existing Dolby Surround Sound System that was installed in the ‘80s. Way and his team of partners and engineers currently have three patents, with nine more to follow. One of these was Transmigration, a modern sound bath filled with hypnotic and healing sounds—vocal flute, trumpet, mantras, chants, spherical guitar, and saxophone with live SPL Surround Music—which the company made available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Wes Dooley, founder of Audio Engineering Associates (AEA), says, “This is how Jim Dolby imagined music when he was developing Dolby systems in the ‘80s.”
Array of Solutions: SPL has developed sound design solutions for a multitude of projects, including developing music scores, converting current scores, spherical surround for movies, qualifying music for sync, purchasing music for sync, acquiring rights to SPL Surround music, studio conversion, real-time Surround recording, arrangements, sound upgrades, video walls and projection, and offering consumer, commercial, industrial, and Surround packages.
The SPL Immersive Sanctuary and Gala: On May 31, Sound Pressure Labs will present the ultimate immersive musical experience, showcasing their powerful, transformative technology at The SPL Immersive Sanctuary and Gala in the Grand Ballroom of the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Headlined by queen of reggae Marcia Griffiths, the artist lineup includes Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, Mr. Rock Steady Ken Boothe, ska pioneer Stanger Cole, The Jeff Young Group (led by former Megadeth guitarist Jeff Young), and jazz-fusion band Sling Bad. Doors open at 6 p.m. and SPL is hosting a VIP after party from midnight to 4 a.m. There will also be a VIP meet and greet. Tickets are available via etix and on the SPL website.
Contact Sound Pressure Labs, 707-496-7165
