The Covid-19 pandemic has struck at the heart of what Sound Space Vision do, which is to envision gathering spaces for all activities especially the performing arts. However the virus has not undermined why we do what we do, which is to bring performers and audiences together in a transformative environment.
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East 15 Acting School tops Times and Sunday Times university guide for drama
Top ten universities for drama, dance and cinematics 1. University of Essex (East 15 Acting School) 2. University of Sussex 3. University of Exeter 4. University of Glasgow 5= University of Surrey 5= Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London 5= University of Sheffield 5= Lancaster University 9. University of Birmingham 10. … Continued
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Lyric Theatre Belfast by O’Donnell and Tuomey
Theatres often like to cultivate a foundation myth around their buildings. From the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, which has proudly occupied the same plot for almost 350 years, to the Young Vic in Waterloo – which had its “temporary” 1970s auditorium recently enshrined, relic-like, in a permanent casing – there is a thespian habit … Continued
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Nevill Holt Opera 2019 RIBA Judges’ Citation
Nevill Holt Opera by Witherford Watson Mann Architects Client Nevill Holt Opera Awards RIBA East Midlands Award 2019, RIBA East Midlands Conservation Award 2019, RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year 2019, RIBA National Award 2019 and Shortlisted for the 2019 Stirling Prize Nevill Holt Opera Building is, at first interaction, a non-building, wholly hidden within the … Continued
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Winner of the 2019 Stirling Prize People’s Vote
Nevill Holt Opera, by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, wins the People’s Vote! Read more here.
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Behind the Curtain – Xiqu Centre
“Vocal intelligibility is therefore important, and amplification is sometimes used. Revery Architecture engaged London-based Sound Space Vision to design a theatre for both loud percussion and the softer voices of performers. The walls of the theatre are clad with concave wood panels of varying radii to distribute sounds of different frequencies. Parts of the walls are … Continued
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Nevill Holt – A New Opera House
Anne Minors, Director of Sound Space Vision summarises the project as follows: “The dramatic setting of Nevill Holt and beautiful gardens form the first act of the opera-going experience, the stable building itself closes down and opens up again to nature with a skylight above and doors back and front. Within the auditorium, constraints of … Continued
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Scandalously good insertion befits Nevill Holt Opera
The views from both seat and stage get equal consideration with Witherford Watson Mann’s characteristically skilful and sympathetic fusing of old and new at Nevill Holt Opera. Read the entire article here.
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The theatre, a reworked stable block in a country estate, is beautiful, contextual, environmentally and acoustically brilliant and community minded
“The theatre’s acoustics have been designed to support young voices particularly. Working closely with Bob Essert, founding director of theatre acoustic specialist Sound Space Vision, Witherford Watson Mann applied a number of techniques to the space.” Read the article and watch the video here:
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Fairfield Halls Opening Ceremonies
Sound Space Vision was there to help inaugurate the newly-transformed Fairfield Halls along with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Dame Judi Dench, resident poet Shaniqua Benjamin, Michael Billington, John Hannman, Simon Callow, The London Mozart Players, and HRH Duke of Kent. A wonderful fanfare of celebrations!
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From Basil Brush to Broadway: how Fairfield Halls came back from panto hell
It hosted everyone from the Beatles to Kraftwerk. Then its lustre faded. Now, after a £42m revamp, the arts powerhouse is back – with a double whammy of major shows. Like a stately modernist weathervane, Fairfield Halls has always been an indicator of Croydon’s ambitions. When the concert hall and theatre complex opened in 1962, it was … Continued
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Brearley School Upper School Chorus practice
Brearley School Upper School Chorus practices in their new Sound Space Vision auditorium.
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Brearley School Opening Ceremony!
Watch as thrilled neighbours, staff, parents and (mostly) students join to open The Brearley School Partner Schoolhouse on time for the 2019/20 school year! Sound Space Vision’s auditorium is a highlight in this beautifully-designed building by KPMB Architects.
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Croydon Council press release on the opening of Fairfield Halls
The curtain is set to rise on Fairfield Halls next week following a multi-million pound refurbishment which has restored the iconic Croydon building to its former glory…Spaces at the venue include the world-class Phoenix Concert Hall, Ashcroft Playhouse, Arnhem Foyer and new spaces including The Recreational, Savvy and Talawa studios and the John Whitgift Community … Continued
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Snell Associates’ Garsington Opera pavilion is eclectic, lightweight, demountable and connects with its landscape setting
Acoustician Bob Essert, director of Sound Space Design, concedes that performers are likely to be young with fairly lightweight voices, and that the repertoire will concentrate on smaller operatic works. He also makes no promises to eliminate background noise, which is free to pass through large openings in the pavilion’s fabric: ‘The birds are what … Continued
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SSV on Nevill Holt Opera’s theatre and acoustics design
Designed by award-winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, this inspiring space is enhanced by the beautifully crafted theatre planning and acoustics of Sound Space Vision. Watch this video, courtesy of the David Ross Foundation, to hear Anne Minors and Bob Essert talk about the new hall.
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Storey’s Field Centre viewed by drone
From hard-to-reach details to the overarching landscape of the project, this drone footage illustrates why Storey’s Field Centre is a multi-award winning project.
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Rebuilding Fairfield Halls: a new venue for London
In hard hat, protective glasses, hi-vis jacket and boots, Neil Chandler looks more like a quantity surveyor than an artistic director, but this is his daily wear until September, when the Fairfield Halls, Croydon, will finally reopen after three years of refurbishment and expansion – work that aims to place it back at the heart of … Continued
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Nevill Holt Opera Shortlisted for 2019 Stirling Prize
RIBA Judges’ Citation, June 27, 2019 Nevill Holt Opera by Witherford Watson Mann Architects Client Nevill Holt Opera Awards RIBA East Midlands Award 2019, RIBA East Midlands Conservation Award 2019, RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year 2019, RIBA National Award 2019 and Shortlisted for the 2019 Stirling Prize Nevill Holt Opera Building is, at first interaction, … Continued
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Teatru Manoel: the story behind Valletta’s crown jewel
This terrific video takes you through 287 years of Teatru Manoel’s history, and shows off the new seating and stalls level Sound Space Vision contributed to this recent renovation.
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Nevill Holt Opera House reviews, 2019
Seating is comfortable, sightlines clear and the acoustics are superb, every scintillating note from the relatively large pit fired into the auditorium with pinpoint accuracy. (Bachtrack) It opened last summer to universal acclaim from both the public and the architectural press [and] offers an ideal environment for more intimately scaled works. (Daily Telegraph) A cast of young … Continued
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Xiqu Centre
Sound Space Vision is proud to have been acoustics and audio systems consultant for the beautiful Xiqu Centre. “We were well-prepared for this particular form of opera house having spent many years visiting Hong Kong arts groups, and building on our enthusiasm of Asian arts while working on the theatre design and acoustics for Singapore’s … Continued
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High Culture
Sound Space Vision’s acoustic advice for the architects was informed by highly sophisticated models created with artists and computer technicians in both live and studio settings using binaural microphones. Read the entire article here!
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Pitch Perfect
It is the desire of Massey Hall’s parent corporation to preserve the building’s acoustic heritage. And that bold undertaking goes to Bob Essert, cofounder of Sound Space Vision, who is designing the hall’s acoustics in this context. Read the rest of the article here.
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Storey’s Field Centre and Eddington Nursery / MUMA
The Hall… is a beautiful balance of sustainability (ventilated naturally using an underground labyrinth), acoustic performance, function and expression of materials. The acoustic attenuation of the space is aided by the height of the hall and the patterned brickwork of the enclosing wall, which acts to break up the reflections of music of speech…Without the … Continued
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Sound Space Vision’s Nevill Holt Opera wins Building of the Year at 2019 RIBA East Midlands Awards
With its design recognised for its exceptional ‘modesty, craftsmanship, care and attention’, Sound Space Vision (SSV) is very proud to have been part of the team which won three RIBA East Midlands awards for Nevill Holt Opera, including the Conservation Award and the coveted Building of the Year Award. Over the last seven years, Nevill Holt … Continued
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New Town House video fly-through
Virtual visit of Kingston University’s New Town House.
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Linbury Theatre: A New Chapter
Rob Halliday visits the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, tastefully redesigned and upgraded to be on par with the main house. “Interestingly this reinvention was predicted back when the first Linbury was created, with Anne Minors, the theatre consultant for that project, having proposed the original balconies be ‘made of steel with bolted connections so … Continued
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Immersive architecture: Battersea Arts Centre by Haworth Tompkins
Haworth Tompkins’ restoration of London’s Battersea Arts Centre was nearly complete when a devastating fire destroyed its Grand Hall. But the subsequent rebuild has created a beautiful and beguiling space. Sound Space Design were the acousticians for the Arts Centre. Read the entire Building Study here.
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What’s changing at Massey Hall?
The landmark 124-year-old venue is about to close for a massive $142-million renovation. Here’s what you can expect when it reopens in 2020. When Hart Massey built Massey Hall in 1894 he couldn’t have imagined how his decisions would be scrutinized 124 years later. The venue is showing its age, not to mention the coats … Continued
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Acoustically Speaking
Massey Hall – if you’ve played there, you’ve arrived. If you’ve attended a concert there, you’ve felt it reverberate with the echoes of history. What you may be unaware of as a listener, however, is the way Massey’s magical acoustics reverberate – and not in a sublime way – for the mixing professionals who must … Continued
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White Light Oversees Installation at Yehudi Menuhin School
Founded in 1963 by legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin, The Yehudi Menuhin School is a specialist music school based in Surrey. Its purpose is to provide an environment and tuition for musically gifted children from all over the world to develop their musical potential. Part of the facilities include The Menuhin Hall which is frequently used … Continued
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Macau Daily Times Q&A | Bob Essert Acoustician
Q&A | BOB ESSERT ACOUSTICIAN: ‘HONG KONG’S CULTURAL INDUSTRY STILL HAS SOME WAY TO GO’ Speaking to the Times, Essert said that such mega-projects in Hong Kong can bring a high-quality and international stature to the city – promoting its culture and creative industry. The Xiqu Center at the West Kowloon Cultural District – Hong … Continued
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Visitor tours of Xiqu Centre
Take a video tour of the brand new Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong!
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Sound Space Vision Unveils Five New and Completed Projects for 2019
Sound Space Vision unveils its finished projects and reveals future plans for a variety of spaces around the world. From an opera house to a university creative centre, an audiophile’s nirvana to an 18th-century theatre, and even a cathedral, renowned theatre planners and acousticians SSV unveils a variety of spaces in 2019. SSV’s newly completed projects include … Continued
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Stable Block Aria: Nevill Holt Opera by Witherford Watson Mann
This transformation of a historic stable block into a permanent opera venue in rural Leicestershire confirms the practice’s reputation as master of the art of architectural reuse, writes Ellis Woodman. Photography Hélène Binet Dating back to the 13th century, the Grade I-listed Nevill Holt Hall stands on a hill five miles outside Market Harborough from which it commands views of a vast … Continued
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E 15 tops Sunday Times University Guide for Drama
East 15 Acting School in Essex has topped the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 for drama. The ranking system takes into account factors including student satisfaction, teaching quality and graduate job prospects.In the drama, dance and cinematics category, East 15, which is part of the University of Essex, is followed by the … Continued
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MICA Architects and Sound Space Vision appointed to redevelop Taunton Brewhouse
Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) and Taunton Theatre Association (TTA) announced the appointment of MICA Architects to redevelop The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre on the Coal Orchard site. Sound Space Vision will work in partnership with MICA, a leading architectural practice responsible for the Southbank Masterplan, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Fairfield Halls restoration, National Maritime Museum and … Continued
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Projection Mapping for ACCA Launch, Essex
Watch this beautiful projection mapping on ACCA’s brick façade.
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Same Hall – One Empty, One Full
Same piece. Same orchestra and soloist. Same hall – one empty, one full.
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Small Opera House – Large Opera House
Two operas of the same period. Same production. Different venues – one large, one small
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Why Silence?
Bob Essert brings his over 30 years of acoustics consulting and scientific research with a paper presented at the International Symposium on Room Acoustics in Toronto, 2013. “How important is information transfer? Or emotional connection? This paper investigates what is “appropriately quiet” for different performance types based on the salient aspects of the performance and … Continued
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North West Cambridge Development – MUMA adds a sense of community
by Rob Wilson, The Architect’s Journal, 22 February 2018. At the eastern edge of Phase 1 of the North West Cambridge Development, MUMA’s Storey’s Field Centre sits in outline against the sky, backing on to the green open space from which it takes its name. But even from far off its façades exude a textural richness … Continued
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Full Steam Ahead for Colston Hall
Bristol 24/7, Thursday Feb 22, 2018. Sixty years after its last refurbishment, the Colston Hall now has Government approval and a builder in place for major works due to start in June which will see the venue reopen in 2020 with a transformed inside and outside, and a brand new name. Approval from Sajid Javid, the Secretary … Continued
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Hearing Loss Demo
How many times do we go to a noisy restaurant or to a crowded space where having a proper conversation is very difficult, or almost impossible? And, even worse, how many of us have some form of hearing loss? This little demonstration illustrates the discomfort that some of us experience when we go out to … Continued
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New Lyric Theatre Design, Belfast
Belfast Live, June 9, 2015. Presentation by John Tuomey from New Lyric Theatre Architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, explaining the concept behind the design and the details of the various spaces within the building.
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Same Piece, Same Pianist – Different Halls
The only differences between these two clips of the opening bars of Stravinsky’s Petroushka, are the pianos and the halls. The pianist is a Yehudi Menuhin School student.
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North West Cambridge Development – A Brave New World
by Rob Wilson,The Architect’s Journal, 21 February 2018. An impressive assembly of architecture practices is involved in designing Phase 1 of this scheme, masterplanned by AECOM. The roll-call includes, among others, WilkinsonEyre, MUMA, Mecanoo, Marks Barfield and Maccreanor Lavington. So preparing to visit the newly emerging Eddington development for the first time made me wonder … Continued
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Anne Minors Triumphs at First Woman Awards
Realbusiness, June 2014. Anne Minors wins the first award to be presented – First Woman in The Built Environment 2014. The judges citation reads: “Anne operates her business with an obvious passion and will leave a legacy that whole communities will enjoy long into the future,” “A true inspiration and a brilliant collaborator, Anne has grabbed … Continued
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AMPC Teams Up with SSD
Award-winning acoustics and theatre consultants, Sound Space Design and Anne Minors Performance Consultants have combined to form Sound Space Vision. The move formalises their long-standing working relationship and will continue to build on their success in performance, education and assembly spaces, as well as broadening their reach within the built environment. Sound Space Vision enhances … Continued
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Anne Minors on Making Theatres Sound Good
Anne Minors gives an interview to Canada’s New Classical 96.3 radio on how to make theatres sound good, in Toronto, December 2017. Interview: You started out as an architect; what lead you to consulting with performing arts organizations? Well I started out wanting to be a musician, but I soon realised that I wasn’t going … Continued
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Garsington Opera – Behind the Getty Gates
by Roya Nikkhah, The Telegraph, May 29, 2011. As he opens his sprawling estate to opera fans, John Paul Getty’s reclusive grandson Mark gives a rare interview. Today, the sound of winching and drilling fills the air, as builders erect a huge new pavilion in the grounds that, from next month, will serve as the home … Continued
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Acoustics Design – La Maison Symphonique, Montreal
On 7 September 2011, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM), led by Kent Nagano opened its season in its new home concert hall, situated on the northeast corner of the Place des Arts. On opening day the hall was cristened “la Maison Symphonique”, replacing its provisional name “l’Adresse Symphonique”. With recordings winning major awards and nominations, … Continued
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BeatBox™ Rocks
BeatBox™ is a containerised, sound-isolated pod – the perfect music practice or recording space for all types of musical instruments and bands. Sound Space Vision provides the acoustical expertise to ensure that the environment inside the space is suited for the intended use, and that no one outside will be disturbed by the sound level … Continued
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Four Seasons Centre Toronto, Sound Burst
The way in which the sound energy moves and bursts in the room determines the character of the sound. Watch this video to see how the sound expands from the source point on the stage of Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre to the rest of the room and bursts into particles when it meets surfaces such … Continued
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Xiqu Centre Presentation, Hong Kong
Follow the Xiqu Centre story.
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The Dance Between Vision and Sound
The Dance between Vision and Sound – where do we look when we listen? Anne Minors’ paper presented at 23rd International Congress on Sound and Vibration – From Ancient to Modern Acoustics. Abstract. Concert hall design is at a crossroads between its origins, which have been unamplified orchestral music and singing, and the forces of … Continued
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On Stage Hearing – Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
Acoustics isn’t just what the audience hears, it’s also how and what the musicians on stage hear. Bob Essert and Evan Green explain Sound Space Design’s improvement of the 1970’s Cyril Harris Hall. This paper was presented at Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics, 2015. On Stage Hearing: Experience from Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis “Orchestra Hall … Continued
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Progress in Concert Hall Design
Bob Essert had moved to Arup Acoustics by 1997 when he wrote this paper for EBU Technical Review, Winter 1997. “Room response is a function of space and time, and the data can be sliced many different ways for the understanding of the process.” For many decades, the acoustical design of rooms for music performances … Continued
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Opera Room Acoustic Measurement System
Bob Essert and Eckhard Kahle, while both at Artec in 1996, shared a paper on acoustics measurement and analysis tools. Paper presented at the 3rd joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan in Honolulu, 4-6 December, 1996. Toward an Opera Room Acoustic Measurement System “We are convinced that … Continued
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Broadening the Range of Variable Reverberance
In 1991, Artec was acknowledged as one of the most important acoustic firms in the world. Bob Essert was Russell Johnson’s principal acoustician at the time. This paper by Johnson and Essert was presented at the 122nd meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, 6 November 1991. Houston, Texas. Broadening the Range of Variable Reverberance … Continued
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Steve Reich in 360°- Multi-Story Orchestra, London
Multi-Story Orchestra performs Steve Reich in 360 degrees at a car park in Peckham. Music for a Large Ensemble – BBC Proms.
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Constructing Garsington Opera Pavilion
A fun construction time lapse video.
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Experience The Light, Friends House, London
Experience Friend’s House for yourself with this virtual tour. https://www.friendshouse.co.uk/thelight/virtual-tour
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Spatial Impulse Responses
Bob Essert continued his studies into the spatial relationships of a room. Paper presented at the 3rd joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan in Honolulu, 4-6 December 1996. Measurement of Spatial Impulse Responses with a Soundfield Microphone “The [sound] source has a directivity function that varies with … Continued
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Same Opera – Different Opera Houses
Leaving aside the differences in tempi, languages, and singers, the halls themselves sound different. Here’s the same moment from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, one in Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and one in London’s Coliseum.
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Four Seasons Centre Proscenium Design
The proscenium frames the performers, and its geometry and detailing affect the perceived scale of the performers, in both acoustical and visual domains. For the Four Seasons Centre, Sound Space Design made the proscenium arch 2m deep and shaped it to project the sound of the singers. The adjacent balcony fronts work with the arch … Continued
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Wall Tilts and Sound Fields
What happens when your hall’s walls are tilted? Bob collaborated with his Sound Space Design colleague Evan Green on this issue. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics, 2015. Relationship Between Wall Tilt and Sound Field Growth and Decay “It has been shown in analysis and design that tilting the wall inward … Continued
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Measured Effects of Acoustics Absorption
In collaboration with colleagues Brian Katz and Eckhard Kahle, Bob Essert contributed more data to the science of absorption in acoustics. Measured Effects of Absorption Location, Receiver Position, and Source Direction on Reverberation “While general rules of thumb are used to predict the effects of absorption areas, few studies have been done of the effect … Continued
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The Future of Technologies in Arts Facilites
In 1995, Bob Essert peered into the future of digital audio technology. Paper presented at the 9th Annual ISPA Congress, Toronto Global Change and Exchange: Technological Change & the Performing Arts, 8-11 June 1995. Acoustics and Sound System Technologies in Arts Facilities of the Future “As we begin to plan for global audiences, global arts … Continued