Russ directs all the firm’s activities involving the design of audio recording, broadcast and television studios, as well as home theater and entertainment facilities. As president of Russ Berger Design Group, Inc., Russ enjoys being involved in every project. His past experience in the studio as musician, engineer and owner gives him unusual insight as a consultant into all aspects and phases of facility design. Russ is active in several professional organizations, and serves on the board of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC).

Russ has over 2,500 designs to his credit. Representative projects include National Public Radio headquarters, Whitney Houston’s personal studio, Sweetwater, NFL Films headquarters, Kirk Franklin, Belmont University, Sony Music, MasterMix, Paragon Studios, BiCoastal Music and Lakewood Church. In recognition of his work, the industry has presented him with eight TEC Awards for technical excellence and creativity in acoustics and studio design. Russ is one of the original licensees for performing TEF measurements, and is the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Heyser Award.

In addition, Russ has been invited to lecture nationwide on facilities planning, studio and small room acoustics, audio electronics and audio monitoring. He has published numerous articles on studio acoustics and the application of computer techniques in the design of acoustic and electroacoustic systems.

When time permits, Russ is a scuba diver, reader and chef. His favorite vacation – scuba diving with wife Elisa and daughter Danna on a remote island and accompanied by a good book.

Education

Physics and Electrical Engineering, University of Houston in Houston, Texas and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; 1971-1975.

Professional Memberships

NCAC – National Council of Acoustical Consultants (President 2008-2010)
ASA – Acoustical Society of America (Fellow)
AES – Audio Engineering Society of America
SMPTE – Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers
CEDIA – Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association

+ Connect with Russ on LinkedIn

A longtime collaborator in many Russ Berger design projects, Mark joined RBDG in 2021. As a gear executive, author and lecturer, Mark’s ear for audio excellence and decades-long work with talent helps make him a tailor-made fit for this group of architects and engineers. Some of Mark’s past roles include serving as Vice President of Studio Operations at the world’s largest online music instrument and pro audio retailer, Sweetwater Sound, and co-founding EchoXS Entertainment, a media company that offered a streamlined approach to music production, management and content creation.

Mark’s credits go way beyond sound management. A gifted music producer and audio engineer, Mark is part of some of the most compelling songs in contemporary music. From gospel music pioneer Russ Taff to acclaimed jazz virtuoso Al DiMeola, from rocker Gene Simmons to R&B icons Tower of Power, Mark made a name for himself by bridging artists’ visions with engineering knowhow. His work has taken him to some of the world’s greatest musical spaces, such as Abbey Road, Sunset Sound, Criteria, Electric Lady Land and (of course) many RBDG-designed venues.

When Mark is not spending time with his bulldogs, Henry and Murphy, he enjoys flying, scuba diving, golfing and playing music. Fortunately, his career has afforded him the opportunity to live in places big and small, where you might see him sip an espresso (or four) and get to know local cultures and cuisine.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication for the Recording Industry, Middle Tennessee State University

Professional Affiliations

AES – Audio Engineering Society
NARAS – National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

A “charter member” of RBDG, Richard has been designing projects with Russ since the early 1980s. Richard is a project manager involved with all aspects of our recording studio and broadcast facility design. He is RBDG’s in-house engineering liaison for mechanical noise and vibration control, and technical power and grounding systems. He is also the firm’s most prolific writer and editor, whether in 20-page construction punch lists or as the author of a variety of technical articles in trade publications. The path that Richard took to reach this point in his career is quite unique in this industry; he actually intended to be doing what he’s doing. After obtaining an engineering degree focusing on architectural acoustics, Richard gained experience with other acoustical consulting firms prior to his association with RBDG.

Richard is an accomplished pianist and singer, and enjoys seeing both his musical and scientific proclivities finding new root in sons Steven and Michael. He and his wife Roxanne, college sweethearts in Iowa, have family spread out all across the country, providing a wealth of ready-made vacation destinations.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University, 1980
Masters of Science in Engineering Mechanics, Iowa State University, 1982

Professional Affiliations

NCAC – National Council of Acoustical Consultants (Board)
ASA – Acoustical Society of America
AES – Audio Engineering Society of America

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Michael brings passion in multiple fields to his practice of architectural acoustics. He began studying music at an early age, playing violin and piano in elementary school and singing with the Houston Boychoir, eventually studying voice and trumpet at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. He continued his studies at Indiana University, with a focus in conducting. After graduating, he performed as a free-lance musician in classical, jazz and rock, touring in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, giving him the opportunity to perform and record in venues and studios around the world. Having devoted more than ten years to his career in music, Michael decided to pursue a growing interest in design by studying architecture at Rice University. Working with several architectural firms while in school and after obtaining his M.Arch degree afforded an opportunity to help design a variety of projects, including private residences, multi-family housing, a major art museum, and a sports arena. Then, to fully combine his interests in music, sound, and architecture, Michael earned a second master’s degree in architectural acoustics at the Peabody Institute.

Michael brings architectural design and computer modeling expertise to the RBDG team, having a breadth of skills in computer design tools like Revit, CAD and Rhino and acoustical modeling tools like CATT, Odeon and EASE. In his architecture thesis he looked at acoustics and the aural environment as a way to shape programming in a rehabilitative context, and for his acoustics thesis he studied computer auralizations and the perceived changes by listeners to geometric model changes.

When not searching for the latest and greatest in architecture, sound, and “gear,” he still performs music, composes, cooks, and enjoys taking road trips to America’s off-beat destinations – natural or “un”natural.

Education

Bachelor of Music, Indiana University, 2001
Master of Architecture, Rice University, 2016
Master of Arts in Architectural Acoustics, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, 2020

Professional Affiliations

ASA – Acoustical Society of America
AES – Audio Engineering Society of America
NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Leigh is a task master who brings her years of small business management experience to RBDG by supporting our team with office administration and public relations coordination. For more than 30 years, Leigh has served as a strategic communications consultant, educator and small business owner. In addition to her work with RBDG, she is managing principal at Public Information Associates, where she provides clients with exemplary communications and planning initiatives.

Prior to consulting, she served as a public information officer, trainer, news director, anchor and reporter in Tennessee and Texas. She loves trouble shooting and enjoys helping clients exceed expectations.

In her spare time, she enjoys teaching adjunct government courses and telling her brother, Mark, what he should and should not do.

Education

Doctorate in Public Affairs, University of Texas at Dallas
Master of City Management and Public Administration, East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, East Tennessee State University