Jul 25

Active professions: The Aeris Swopper in the recording studio

Movement at the workplace – even where there’s no desk.

Our chairs think outside the box. Because even outside of traditional office environments, it's clear: dynamic sitting makes all the difference.

Working in a mastering studio, Brock McFarlane sits on an Aeris Swopper, which keeps him and his workflow moving all day long. For Brock, the right rhythm isn't just crucial in the latest track, but also when sitting. We asked him what drives him in his profession and why dynamic sitting has such a big impact on his work.

From passion to profession – Brock's journey into music production

Brock McFarlane is the owner and lead engineer of CPS Mastering. Even at a young age, it was clear that music would play an important role in his life.
"My family had a beautiful old Bang and Olufsen stereo system," Brock recounts. "As a toddler, I was so curious that I once put cotton balls on the turntable because I wanted to know what that sounded like – the needle was ruined afterwards, of course."

He spent his school years in a band – but despite his love for music, he describes himself as a "pretty mediocre musician." However, it wasn't on stage that things really clicked for him, but during a studio visit in high school:
"The person on the other side of the studio glass with the knobs and faders was where my skill set and passion intersected."

But the path there was anything but straightforward. After dropping out of the University of Alberta, Brock moved to Vancouver to attend the Pacific Audio Visual Institute. There, one of his instructors opened the doors to two local studios with a mixing and a recording room. The deeper he delved into the processes of recording and mixing over seven years there, the more he felt drawn to mastering. So much so that he finally decided to open his own studio, CPS Mastering, in 2008.

"It really felt like someone had created a job specifically for my particular mindset and skills."

Self-employment and work-life balance – daily life in the studio

Brock likes to start his day before the rest of the world – usually as early as five in the morning. After the first creative sprint, he has breakfast and takes his child to school. Brock's work rhythm is anything but rigid:

Sometimes he works for hours without interruption, sometimes in 45-minute sessions with short breaks to stretch, move, get coffee, or just pause. Self-employment allows him the necessary flexibility and the ability to listen to his energy levels.

"If I'm not in the right mood for a project, I can take a break, have lunch, or just walk a few steps and come back when my thoughts are collected again."

At the same time, this very freedom also carries the risk that work never truly ends – especially when you love your job. "It's definitely a fine line when work takes over life and the balance gets out of whack. But the older I get, the better (slowly) I recognize when that balance is about to tip."

Walks, family, and trails in nature provide relief. And sometimes, a forest path with birdsong is exactly the right place for new ideas.

Dynamic working in the studio with the Aeris Swopper

Working in a recording studio involves hours of sitting, just as much as faders and reference monitors. But instead of stillness, even Brock's sitting stays in rhythm – every moment a part of his beat. Because to get into a musical flow, the body also needs to be in motion. This is precisely why the Aeris Swopper has long been an indispensable part of his working method.

For Brock, freedom of movement at work is not only pleasant but crucial for his creativity. His studio is set up so he can move freely between his main computer, laptop, and analog equipment – completely intuitively. And the Swopper helps him with this:
"I can move freely, turn, and stand up – and yet my listening position always remains constant."

How did the Swopper come into play?

Lack of movement, back pain, and reduced energy: After a certain period, the physical consequences of Brock's long hours in the studio became clearly noticeable. Following an injury in 2015, he began to rethink his work environment: "I tried so many office chairs, but none were truly suitable – I always had to adjust or adapt something." After much research and on the advice of his physiotherapist, he finally chose a Swopper. "My posture and musculature are much better today than before the injury," says Brock.

"The Swopper really ticks all the boxes - and I think it looks fantastic too."

Together with his custom-built studio desk and a height-adjustable secondary workstation, Brock has now created a setup that is as flexible as his workflow. "I can honestly say I can't imagine sitting in any other chair anymore."

In the meantime, three more Swoppers have moved in with Brock – plus one with his colleague Elisa.

Brock's creative passion drives him – always in motion and never standing still. His journey shows: Those who move – physically and mentally – don't stand still, but evolve. He gives clear, powerful advice to young people entering music production:

"Follow what truly excites you. Don't get discouraged if something doesn't work out immediately. Experiment, feel free to fail – and keep going. Passion is contagious. And if you take it seriously, it will show you the way."