Space Alteration Creating Immersive Audio Experience
In the heart of Geneva, a significant milestone has been reached in the world of professional audio. The acclaimed Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG) has completed work on a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos control room for the Centre des Musiques Actuelles (CMA). This project forms part of a larger 38 million Swiss Franc renovation of the École des Musiques Actuelles (EMA), a contemporary music school within CMA.
The collaborative spirit between all parties involved, including architects, WSDG team, system integrators, and the school itself, created an environment where technical excellence could truly flourish. Key personnel included Ladislav Agabekov, the sound engineer and technical director at CMA who initiated the concept, Stefano Saccon, the school’s director supporting the project, Valentin Cattel from the local architectural firm Reynaud Gaillard Architects who oversaw building integration and installation, and Eric Henry from ACR Pro who acted as the system integrator.
The new, 215-square-foot control room serves as the technical heart of EMA's comprehensive audio production facilities. It was designed to enable immersive audio recording, mixing, and post-production within EMA's educational and performance complex. The control room was designed with a 7.2.4 speaker system to accommodate Dolby Atmos. The loudspeaker setup features Genelec's "The Ones" 8361s as the main monitors, Genelec W371A subwoofers, and smaller POE-powered surrounds.
The acoustic treatment in the control room includes strategically placed absorption panels, specially designed ceiling clouds, a stretch fabric ceiling with built-in insulation, a large diffusor, and Helmholtz absorbers for low-frequency control. WSDG used the NIRO (Non-cuboid Iterative Room Optimizer) developed by REDI Acoustics to optimize the acoustic qualities of the control room.
The control room was designed to interface seamlessly with EMA's other facilities, particularly their 300-seat main auditorium. The main auditorium is equipped with a d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system featuring 64 loudspeakers for immersive live sound reinforcement projects and performances.
The entire control room system is networked, utilizing Dante protocol and controlled via an Avid S4 controller and Pro Tools. Agabekov, who confirmed the results in the control room are very good, is excited to mix two Dolby Atmos live projects there.
For Agabekov, this project represents an exciting evolution in professional audio facilities, with the Dolby Atmos room integrating seamlessly with existing performance spaces. He sees a bright future for immersive audio in Switzerland, expecting it to be democratized in the months and years to come.
CMA includes the École des Musiques Actuelles (EMA), a contemporary music school offering training in pop, rock, jazz, and other modern genres. The facility spans more than 32,000 square feet over two floors and features 45 classrooms, a 300-seat auditorium, a 200-person club, and state-of-the-art recording and production facilities. The EMA Geneva project is undoubtedly a significant step forward in the realm of immersive audio, setting a new standard for educational institutions and performance spaces alike.
- The collaboration between architects, WSDG team, system integrators, and the school resulted in a data-and-cloud-computing networked control room that enables immersive music recording and post-production.
- The events involving Dolby Atmos recording and mixing are expected to take place in the state-of-the-art control room, which features technology such as Genelec speakers, d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system, and an Avid S4 controller.
- The entertainment industry, specifically music, benefits from the integration of technology like Dolby Atmos within educational institutions like EMA, democratizing immersive audio in Switzerland and setting a new standard for contemporary music schools and performance spaces.
