About Us
Dave has been in this business since 1997.
COVID happened, then Robyn retired in 2021 to work with Dave, bc doing #DaveSchallThings is fun!
Dave Schall
Chief Engineer & Owner
(BM Eastman School of Music, MM University of Michigan)
Dave Schall - Chief Engineer and Owner
Consultation, Quotes, Technical Producer, Production Lead, Finance, and everything else
Since 1997, Dave Schall has produced and engineered recordings and shows to high critical acclaim across the United States and beyond. Noted for his natural, realistic approach to capturing and mixing audio, his recordings, both live event and in the studio sessions, have helped reinforce the catalogs of established performers and put several prominent developing musicians on the map.
Dave holds degrees in performance from the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan School of Music. As a bassoonist and contrabassoonist, Dave has held positions with the Grand Rapids Symphony and Jackson Symphony, as well as performing with the Toledo Symphony, New World Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, Windsor Symphony, and Michigan Sinfonietta, and in 1997 he had the privilege of performing in Carnegie Hall in New York. A native of Brunswick, Maine, His primary instructors include Richard Beene, John Hunt, and Ardith Keef. Coincidentally, his last name actually means “sound” in German.
Dave has also established himself as a go-to live sound engineer throughout Michigan for shows where the quality of sound matters. He has worked as the dedicated touring live sound engineer and systems tech for The Jeremy Kittel Band Fareed Haque and MathGames!, My Dear Disco/Ella Riot, The National Arab Orchestra, and Cloud Nine Music, as well as mixing many prominent national acts in the metro Detroit area and beyond at front of house, monitors, and systems tech for several venues and sound contractors in the southeast Michigan area. Through touring he has had the opportunity to mix to audiences from the hundreds to thousands in some of the country’s most prominent music venues large and small on all manner of systems, from clubs and bars to theaters and festivals.
Among his album credits are Amy Porter’s debut solo CD, Passacaglia, Kenneth Tse and Nobuya Sugawa’s Stellar Saxes, Scott Conklin’s Violinguistics, and the Star-Spangled Music Foundation’s Poets & Patroits: A Tuneful History of “The Star-Spangled Banner .” He also engineered and produced the audio for Amy Porter’s instructional DVD of the 30 Caprices of Sigfrid Karg-Elert, and subsequently did all of the production for her Anatomy of Sound Study Guide 2-DVD set. He has recorded albums of complete musicals, all forms of jazz ensembles from big-band to combos and fusion groups, all forms of classical music from full orchestras to soloists, as well as material for My Dear Disco’s Dancethink LP and preceding EP.
Robyn Kimmey, M.A., L.P.C.
Production Assistant
(BS Western Michigan Univ, MA Sienna Heights Univ)
Robyn Kimmey - Production Assistant
Audio Recording Technician, Videographer, Post-Production Editor, WebMaster, and more
Robyn, an Ann Arbor native, is a seasoned professional in her own right. Robyn’s journey embodies a deep love for the arts, education, and technology.
Robyn holds a Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Visual Arts and Earth/Geology & Environmental Science Education, complemented with a minor in Music/Vocal Performance and a Masters Degree in School and Community Counseling from Siena Heights University. Robyn began her career in Education teaching courses in “10th Grade Science/Environmental Chemistry” and “Visual Imaging Technology'' which combined Graphic Design, Photography, Print Media, and Television/Radio Production at Saline High School. Grounded in her passion for getting to know students beyond the classroom, compassionate understanding of individual experiences, developing goals with a clear path to fruition for all individuals, and providing inspiration, opportunity, access for exploration and growth, Robyn served a full and fulfilling career as a School Counselor at both High School and Middle School levels with the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Robyn’s tenure, marked by selfless dedication and empathy, spanned until her retirement in June, 2021 and left a lasting impact on students, staff, and the educational community. This diverse educational background and technical aptitude laid the foundation for her next chapter in life.
Transitioning into a new career opportunity in September 2021, Robyn embarked on an exciting venture alongside her partner Dave Schall, as part of the “Dave Schall Acoustic” media team, returning to her roots in music and media while showcasing her adaptability and willingness to explore new ways of doing things. Presently, she is updating and expanding her skill set through enrollment in the Audio Engineering & Production and Digital Video programs at Washtenaw Community College, as well as joining the THS Audio team in April 2024. Robyn Kimmey's journey is a testament to the power of passion, education, and embracing new challenges. Her story continues to inspire and resonate, embodying the spirit of resilience, curiosity, and artistic excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of music, media, and technology.
Jacob
Production Hand, in-training
(Skyline High School - Class of ‘25)
Jacob - Production Hand, in-training
The newest addition to the DSA Team is Jacob, Robyn’s son. He is very curious, has an unusual ability to pick up on electronics, and has autism. Jacob loves pizza, anime, kitties, and is a member of the Skyline High School varsity bowling team. He assists us occasionally on jobs as a loader, gaffer, and extra set of helpful hands. Providing job skills for everyone of all abilities is important to us, and this is one way we can bring Jacob into a world of experience and people with whom he might never have interacted.