ROUND TABLE
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Christopher Weatherford Balancing creative vision with technical reality is one of the most critical, yet rewarding parts of the process. Often, the visionaries driving a project have ambitious goals for how the space should sound and feel, but might not be fully aware of the mechanical, acoustic or budgetary constraints that come into play. Our role as a manufacturer is to listen closely to those goals and work collaboratively to design a solution that aligns with them, while still respecting the physics of acoustics and practicalities of deployment. This is where strong partnerships with consultants, integrators and our in-house support team are essential. We model various scenarios in our design software, walk through trade-offs in system coverage, aesthetics and budget and work together to preserve as much of the original vision as possible. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver a solution that exceeds expectations in performance, user experience and reliability, even if the final design looks different from the first sketch. Fabio Kaiser Balancing creative vision with technical limitations is at the heart of our philosophy at Amadeus Acoustics. It fundamentally relies on a deeply collaborative and iterative approach. We believe that technology should serve art, not constrain it. Our co-founders are all musicians, acoustic consultants and audio engineers, bringing a blend of technical innovation and artistic insight. The process begins by clearly defining the artistic and functional requirements for the space – what experiences do musicians, performers and audiences envision? Our system is designed for flexibility and dynamic control, so that essential acoustic parameters such as reverberation time, early reflections and clarity can be freely and dynamically How do you balance creative vision with any of the technical limitations that arise during an AV installation project?
adjusted. This enables an acoustic environment that can change seamlessly within a single production to heighten dramatic effects, as shown at the Theater an der Wien (a big opera house in Vienna, Austria), where presets were fine-tuned scene by scene to match artistic intent. A key technical enabler is our brand-agnostic philosophy. Instead of proprietary hardware, we recommend and integrate the best-performing equipment, tailored to the architectural and acoustic needs of the venue. This avoids vendor lock-in and allows us to select components that maximise creative possibilities, while respecting physical constraints. Furthermore, our unique geometric modelling of reflections ensures that the active acoustics blend naturally with the venue’s existing characteristics, creating an organic, immersive experience where the enhancement is imperceptible. This maintains the integrity of the natural sound while still allowing for significant acoustic transformations, from smaller, intimate chamber settings to expansive cathedral-like reverberation or targeted 3D immersive soundscapes. We prioritise fine-tuning by ear in collaboration with musicians and using technical measurements as a reference point for documentation rather than the sole arbiter of quality. This ensures that the technology ultimately serves the artistic expression. Scott Lau The best way to balance creative vision with technical limitations is to be honest and candid throughout the entire process. We never put ourselves in situations where we promise something that can’t be guaranteed. Any limitations should always be clearly communicated with the client so they aren’t caught off guard by performance issues when they overload the system.
the existing architecture, allows us to calculate the reflections that inherently blend with the room’s natural acoustic signature, preventing the often-criticised dual-sloping seen in other systems. We use 3D modelling and simulations (such as in EASE 5 Second Edition) to evaluate loudspeaker layouts, predict coverage and ensure there is optimal density and sound pressure levels before carrying out the physical installation. Moreover, we rely on highly qualified and certified personnel – the Amadeus Tonmeister team – who bring both technical and artistic expertise to every stage, from design to fine-tuning, ensuring solutions aren’t just technically sound but also artistically satisfying. Scott Lau Common challenges that I’ve experienced have been moving goalposts or changing deliverables. As stated in the first question, we need to ensure we are aligned with the client as to what their vision is and they need to be aligned and informed as to the solution that we’re presenting. We can aim to mitigate and avoid contentious challenges by maintaining consistent communication throughout the life of the project. Christopher Weatherford Last minute changes in the design can be disruptive, especially when lead times are short, which is often the case with installs. Sports arenas for instance only have very limited windows of opportunity to get a sound system installed during the off-season. To prevent last-minute requests, I’ll circle back to asking the right questions at the start of the project. Preparation is essential. ‘Where are the trapdoors?’ as a mentor used to tell me.
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