Nat Williams' Biography

Biography of Nat Williams,
Acoustic Professional,
now living in Spokane, Washington

1945-1960

My mother loved music and sang frequently while I was growing up. From helping my uncle in his second hand shop with phonographs and radios I developed, without realizing it, an interest in acoustic devices. Over the years, other family members exposed me to emerging technologies. In my teens, I worked in my cousin’s TV and Audio repair shop, where I became familiar with hi-fi. I had the opportunity to travel to Nashville Tennessee where I got a tremendous education in live music and developed an ear for the difference between live and recorded sound.

1960-1970

After returning from the Air Force where I served as an Aircraft Electrical Technician, I was given an opportunity to become a technical draftsman at Sprague Electric Company in Culver City, California. There I worked in the development of military and aerospace frequency control devices. This is where I started to develop my engineering skills. At the same time I worked for the Insomniac Coffee House in Hermosa Beach in the evenings as the Stage Manager, emcee and Audio System operator and technician. This is where I further developed an appreciation for live versus recorded performance. I also took voice training from Dr. Dean Ver Hines at Brown Gables Conservatory, Beverly Hills. He was instrumental in my appreciation for acoustic performances. I also worked on the Goodyear Airship (Blimp) the Columbia as ground crew and assistant night sign operator and took flying lessons at this time as well. In the late 60’s I had opportunity to discover Charles & Charles Jr. Greuzard, inventors of the original Quadraphonic Patent. There I served as the Technical, Marketing and Fundraising consultant, where Dennis Crosby (Bing Crosby’s son) served on our Board of Directors.

1970-1980

While working with Muzak, the disco era in Los Angeles began. This is where I did many professional ‘entertainment level’ sound system designs and installations. In conjunction with Sam Gillman, Acoustic Professor at UCLA I was able to obtain the fundamentals of psycho-acoustics which would later serve to be invaluable in sound system design and lead to my later interest in acoustics. In late 70’s I was the National Marketing Director and Technical Consultant for Jandy International, inventors of the Car-Fi equalizer amplifier that gave birth to the improved car audio and began car stereo as we know it today. This is where I responsible for trade shows, sales representatives and in-store training as well as the national media. There I had the opportunity to create the “Sound Shuttle” car stereo display; the microprocessor switched multiple car stereo system sales and marketing display for retail. This display increased car stereo sales to the point where Alpine Car Stereo reserved an entire marketing presentation in the Federated stores in Los Angeles to do their premier presentation of the introduction of Alpine Auto Sound.

1980-1990

While living in Reno, NV, managing a wholesale electronics warehouse, I discovered the need for professional sound work in the area casinos. My audio skills were invaluable in doing a number of entertainment sound systems for several casinos. One of the systems I was fortunate enough to install was the Sky Room at the then famous Mapes Hotel. After completing their sound and lighting project I was retained as the recording engineer for the live broadcasts that were sent nationwide. While in Reno I was the audio consultant for the recordings and program material for the University of Nevada at Reno Ballet Company. Having the opportunity to be a part of entertaining many people through live performances further established my interest in quality audio. After relocating to Eugene, OR, I was retained by the then Magic Carpet Coach company (now Monarch Coach) to design and install sound systems in high-end custom coach conversions. This is where my knowledge of audio and quality sound had considerable value. This is where I met Art Noxon, PhD., Acoustic Engineer. In our collaborations we founded Acoustic Sciences Corporation (A.S.C.) of Eugene, OR. We then developed devices for acoustic treatment of rooms. As the Vice President and Marketing Director, I assisted in the development of product innovations, marketing, management of trade shows, publicity, cost analysis, fund raising and general corporate activities. After moving to Seattle, I worked with Sims Vibration Dynamics as their Vice President, Marketing Director and Technical Consultant for the development and marketing of devices for the isolation of vibration from various audio components. I then co-founded “The Music Room” with Dave Moore of Electrocom, a Lynnwood based commercial contractor, and began developing ceiling speaker components for custom home theater and entire home music systems. This is where I designed entire systems, managed installations and marketed completed home sound systems in many “Street of Dreams” projects as well as custom homes. My efforts lead to “The Music Room” obtaining the contract to do these systems in the, then under construction, home of Bill Gates in Medina, Washington, on Lake Washington.

1990-present

During this time, I had occasion to work with Don Rogers, Technical Director, Goldwin Studios in Hollywood and John Neal, Scoring Engineer of Star Wars and 200 other major films. I also had the opportunity to consult and provide access to what was then the largest portable TV screen in Hollywood used for “foley” sound looping and sound effect scoring for television production. This is where I learned a good deal about motion sound production, particularly multi channel thru John Neal, who was at that time the premier engineer in that field. Back in Eugene, OR, again with Art Noxon of Acoustic Sciences Corporation (A.S.C.), as a Marketing consultant I developed marketing strategies and managed trade shows for the company. I also worked with the developers of THX sound and taught acoustics at THX seminars with Tomlinson Holman, developer of THX for Skywalker Sound, Lucas Productions. Since that time, I have worked as an independent consultant with a number of audio companies and clients, including: “The Big Picture” in Seattle with its sound design and installation. I have worked with Ron Sauro of Northwest Audio and Acoustics on many projects. Ron is the beta test engineer for Dr. Ahnert of the Ease and Ears Acoustic Modeling Program, which is the current standard for room design and speaker component measuring worldwide.
Since moving to Spokane I have completed many audio and acoustics projects, including Ferris High School’s auditorium, many restaurants and the Spokane Regional Business Center Conference Room, several Churches and more. Also having worked for the Journal of Business and developing the “Health and Wellness” page as a result of my wife’s and my passion for a healthier lifestyle. She and I have developed over the past 11 years a smoothie that we feel has kept us healthy when others were not. We enjoy the opportunity to assist others towards being healthier. My Hobbies are Audio, Photography and Repair and Restoration of Antique Clocks. References available upon request.