Trivium Relies on Genelec for Consistent Translation Across the Production Chain

The Background

Developed over a two-year period, The Hangar Studios serves as a specialized rehearsal and recording compound where the band can track, edit and collaborate with external producers and mix engineers with complete confidence in what they’re hearing. At the core of that vision was the decision to standardize on Genelec Active Monitoring, mirroring the systems used by the band’s long-time collaborators.

The control room of the studio features a Genelec monitoring configuration comprising 1238A SAM™ Studio Monitors for mains, 8341A SAM Studio Monitor for nearfields and a 7380A SAM Studio Subwoofer, delivering full-range, high-resolution monitoring in a stereo, analog signal path environment. The system was selected with input from producer Mark Lewis, who also assisted with system design and implementation, helping ensure optimal performance within the unique acoustics of the hangar-based space.

From the outset, the goal was to create a one-to one translation environment, where decisions made during tracking and production would carry through seamlessly to mixing and mastering. Because Trivium frequently works with producers and engineers who rely on Genelec systems, aligning the studio’s monitoring with those environments was a natural choice.

Designed for Confidence

“When we were designing the studio, the biggest priority was translation,” said bassist Paolo Gregoletto. “The engineers we work with are all on Genelecs, so it made sense to build a system where what we’re hearing here matches what they’re hearing when it leaves the room.”

For Grammy®-winning producer/engineer Josh Wilbur, who has mixed multiple Trivium releases and maintains a Genelec-based mix environment in Los Angeles, that alignment has translated directly into workflow efficiency. His familiarity with the Genelec ecosystem, ranging from legacy 1031s to current Smart Active Monitor systems, meant that working inside The Hangar Studios required no adjustment period.

Upon entering the room, Wilbur found that the monitoring response, imaging and low-frequency balance behaved exactly as expected, allowing him to immediately focus on creative decisions rather than compensating for unfamiliar playback characteristics.

“I’ve used Genelecs for years, 8351s in my room, plus other models depending on the setup,” said Wilbur. “Walking into The Hangar, it immediately felt familiar. The response, the imaging, the low end, it all translated exactly how I expected.”

The installation also marked Wilbur’s first extended experience with Genelec 1238A as mains, which he describes as offering a powerful yet controlled full-range presentation suited to modern rock production. “It’s actually my first time working on the 1238s, and I’m really impressed,” he added. “It’s a very straightforward setup, mains, nearfields and sub, but it gives you everything you need to make confident decisions.”

Consistency Across Rooms

System calibration played a critical role in achieving this level of consistency. Based on Wilbur’s experience with Genelec’s GLM calibration workflow in his own studio, The Hangar system exhibits the same predictable performance, ensuring reliable translation between rooms. “When I came in, the room sounded exactly like I expected a Genelec system to sound,” Wilbur noted. “That level of consistency room to room is a big deal, especially when you’re moving projects between spaces.”

For the band, the monitoring system is not only a technical foundation but also a creative catalyst. The clarity and accuracy of the Genelec system have elevated both critical listening and everyday playback, whether evaluating mixes or referencing external material. “Anyone who comes in here is blown away by how it sounds,” Gregoletto said. “Whether we’re tracking, editing or just listening, the clarity and consistency make a huge difference.”

The Hangar Studios has already been used for released material, including work tracked for recent projects, and is currently serving as the primary production space for Trivium’s forthcoming 11th studio album. The band notes that the ability to trust their monitoring environment at every stage has been central to the project’s development.

“Getting the speakers right was the most important part of building this place,” Gregoletto added. “Everything we’re working on now relies on being able to trust what we’re hearing.”

For Wilbur, that consistency, both in product performance and company culture, has reinforced Genelec’s role as a trusted monitoring platform across his work.

“I’ve recommended Genelec to a lot of people, not just because of how they sound, but because they’re consistent and dependable,” he said. “That’s what you need when you’re making critical mix decisions.”

Studio Design
Mark Lewis

Loudspeakers
• 2 x 1238A
• 2 x 8341A
• 2 x 7380A

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