SAN DIEGO — For years, we've been hearing about the construction of a new musical laboratory, unlike any other place in the world.
In this Zevely Zone, I was invited to take the first look inside San Diego State University's new state-of-the-art 'Sound Lab'.
Inside a giant concrete building awaits the sound of music like you have never heard before. "We have been working hard," said Chris Warren, who gave us the very first look and listen at the lab.
"Brand new. We just finished this. We built this from the ground up. This has been a project for five years in the making and now we are done, so welcome," said Chris.
Surrounded by a ring of super speakers, the crazy sound scientist blasted Beethoven then pounded on a piano and drums.
"I am more excited than excited," said Chris. "Here we are working with this lovely modular synthesizer while this looks like something out of a '60s sci-fi movie let me tell you this is one of the best teaching tools I have in my arsenal because we can just try things out and see what happens."
Chris then looked deep into my soul and asked me, "Do you like to sing because I think we should sing".
We belted out a few notes which started what Chris calls 'Infinite Reverberation'. "So, you can see how it lets us as performers step outside of what we created and witness it as listeners," said Chris.
If you think singing in the shower makes you sound good, you need to visit the SDSU Sound Lab.
SDSU student Caci Hazeltine is a Music Composition Major. She played her saxophone for us. "If I want to get mystical, it just sounds magical," said Caci.
Students can grab any instrument imaginable and never hear a mom or dad yell at them to turn it down.
"This is going to get real," I said as I watched Chris reach for his electric guitar.
Just think what will happen, when word of jam sessions like these escape this echo chamber. I asked if there was any chance a famous band would reach out and ask to visit the SDSU Sound Lab. "We shall see I certainly hope so," said Chris with a big smile.
Inside this magic music box, the beat goes on and on. "Forever or about a minute," laughed Chris. SDSU'S Sound Lab sits on its own foundation inside a giant concrete box. Without music it is one the quietest places in San Diego County.