Custom House at Guitar Center, a premier provider of customized professional audio solutions, has completed the design and integration of a Dolby Atmos® production studio for Pasadena audio engineer and producer Jose Perez. The flexible, immersive studio is optimized for both music and film workflows. The project highlights Custom House’s ability to deliver tailored studio solutions that combine emerging technologies, professional consultation and long-term client support.
A lifelong musician and veteran recording engineer, Perez operates a hybrid studio serving independent artists, film producers, content creators, and broadcast clients. As demand for immersive audio and post-production grew, he partnered with Custom House at Guitar Center Executive Account Manager Danny Fasold to create an Atmos-capable monitoring environment that delivers reliable translation across formats while supporting future expansion.
The resulting system centers around a 7.1.4 Genelec Smart Active Monitoring™ (SAM™) loudspeaker ecosystem featuring Genelec 8330A monitors for LCR, 8320A monitors for surround and height channels, and a 7350A subwoofer, all configured for Dolby Atmos production. The monitoring system integrates seamlessly with Perez’s hybrid workflow, combining Universal Audio Apollo interfaces, analog outboard gear, an API The Box 2 console, and Pro Tools-based music and post-production environments.
“Jose’s workflow is unique because he moves seamlessly between music production, film post-production, streaming and broadcast projects,” said Custom House at Guitar Center Executive Account Manager Danny Fasold. “Our goal was to create a monitoring environment that could support all of those disciplines while remaining simple to manage, easy to recalibrate and adaptable as his business continues to evolve.”
The studio’s API The Box 2 console was added in December 2025 as the centerpiece of Perez’s hybrid mixing workflow. Having long relied on API preamps and EQs while working at Dennis Moody Studios, Perez selected The Box 2 for its analog character, flexible routing, and compact footprint. The console brings the sound and workflow of a larger-format API desk into his studio, supporting both tracking-session rough mixes and final music and post-production projects.
"API has always had a sound I know and trust," said Perez. "The Box 2 gave me the functionality and flexibility I needed without making the leap into a much larger console. It brings real analog feel into the room, and it has become a key part of how I work."
Perez credits Fasold and Custom House with helping him evaluate technologies, identify the right equipment investments and building a system that supports both his creative and business objectives.
“Danny at Custom House has been my trusted advisor for more than a decade,” said Perez. “Every major piece of equipment I’ve purchased has been through him. Whether it’s introducing me to new technologies, helping me evaluate workflow improvements or designing an Atmos system that translates accurately across formats, he’s consistently helped me make the right decisions.”
Perez cites the Genelec SAM platform’s ability to quickly adapt to new spaces as a key advantage. As he prepares to relocate his studio later this year to support company growth, the system’s room optimization capabilities will help ensure consistent monitoring performance with minimal downtime.
“With the Genelec system, I know I can move into a new room and be back up and running quickly,” Perez explained. “The calibration process is straightforward, and the mixes consistently translate whether I’m monitoring in Atmos, 5.1 or stereo. That’s critical when you’re working across multiple delivery formats and serving different types of clients.”
Beyond equipment procurement, the project reflects Custom House’s consultative approach, helping professional creators and production facilities evaluate new technologies, optimize workflows and make investments that support long-term growth.
“Our role goes beyond simply selling equipment,” added Fasold. “We’re helping clients design systems that improve productivity, support creative excellence and provide a foundation for future growth and expansion. Every project starts with understanding how a customer works and then building a solution around those specific needs.”
Today, Perez’s studio supports a diverse range of projects demonstrating how thoughtfully designed studio infrastructure can serve multiple revenue-generating applications within a single production environment.
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