Appropriate space layouts for recording, control, and equipment rooms are essential. Room acoustics, sound isolation, and noise control are design issues which are often overlooked, but which still have a tremendous impact on the overall operation of the facility. In particular, sound isolation and HVAC noise control should be considered at the outset of a facility design since retrofitting these improvements is difficult and costly.

Some music schools have multiple venues for different uses, such as a concert hall for large ensembles and a recital hall for soloists and small ensembles. In situations where a room must be shared between different ensembles, however, variable acoustics allow the room acoustics of the space to be adapted and changed to the needs of each ensemble. While variable acoustics are traditionally implemented with adjustable curtains, moveable panels, and reversible hinged baffles, one emerging trend is to vary acoustics with electronic enhancement systems.

While variable acoustics are traditionally implemented with adjustable curtains, moveable panels, and reversible hinged baffles, one emerging trend is to vary acoustics with electronic enhancement systems.

Since these systems change the acoustic response of the room itself, electronic variable acoustics can provide some interesting possibilities and alternatives for recording engineers accustomed to recording with software reverb plug-ins. Electronic acoustic enhancement technology is developing and improving quickly, notably by companies including Acoustic Control Systems, b.v. and Yamaha Pro Audio.

Control room acoustic treatments are no less important to the successful operation of recording facilities in music schools and may also be easier to retrofit than sound isolation or noise control upgrades. Since many music schools also include courses in audio production, some control rooms must function also as classrooms with seating for both instructors and students. Carefully considered selection and placement of monitor loudspeakers, sound absorbers, and sound diffusers can help to broaden the optimal listening area in control rooms. Listen Audio has recently developed a new line of sound diffusers which are quite useful for this application.

Network-based audio distribution is opening new doors for audio recording in music schools, by offering more flexible routing between rooms with good audio quality and high reliability while reducing infrastructure costs.

Audio routing and signal flow between rooms sometimes separated by large physical distances must be carefully considered. In the recent past, routing analog signals between rooms was commonplace. This approach typically requires large patchbays and relatively expensive wire pulls which are prone to audio problems. The signal routing complexity of these systems can also quickly become a major impediment for students and other less experienced engineers to make audio recordings. Audio distribution via Dante networks, in particular, is opening new doors for audio recording in music schools, by offering more flexible routing between rooms with good audio quality and high reliability while reducing infrastructure costs. Dante is an audio networking protocol developed by Audinate and is seeing increasing support from a wide variety of audio equipment manufacturers, including Focusrite and Grace Design.

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We are pleased to have been part of the design team for the renovation of Manning Middle School for Jeffco Schools. The project included asbestos abatement, new ceilings and lighting in classrooms, noise control in the cafeteria, and lighting and acoustics upgrades to the auditorium, all completed on a tight budget!

The auditorium improvements include new lightweight fabric reflectors, custom sidewall panels, and sound-absorbing finishes on the rear wall. These upgrades have enhanced natural sound projection from the stage and eliminated problematic flutter echoes, while retaining a lively acoustic for the choir and band.

School is back in session, and the room is filled with music again!

Project team included The Abo Group (architect), JCM Inc. (General Contractor), and Jeffco Public Schools (Project Manager)

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Gates Hall is renowned for its excellent acoustics, and is in demand as one of the top performance venues in the Denver metro area. Recording in this venue has special significance for us since Tim was closely involved in the acoustical design of Gates Hall.

We hope to share some audio samples in a future post!

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