Carmen. Mastering acoustics in auditoriums. Carmen is an active system designed to adapt the acoustics of a hall to each type of performance.

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1 "Muvészetek Haza Miskolc" "Brighton Dome" > PRODUCTS Carmen Mastering acoustics in auditoriums Carmen is an active system designed to adapt the acoustics of a hall to each type of performance. In many cases, it can also be the solution to the problems that halls have due to poor natural acoustics. Musicians and the audience can finally enjoy the emotion of the music in any venue. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR BUILDING MARNE-LA-VALLÉE PARIS GRENOBLE NANTES SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS

2 Carmen Natural acoustics à la carte "Norwich Theatre Royal" Contrary to what might be desirable in terms of acoustics, almost all auditoriums are used for performances which require differing acoustics. Besides, most auditoriums suffer from defects of varying degree. Therefore theatre managers are led to use variable acoustic solutions.

3 Today there are two possible techniques for addressing acoustic modularity and correcting these problems Passive techniques Passive techniques allow CSTB to modify the reverberation time by adjusting the acoustic absorption. The mechanical methods used are often cumbersome, noisy, and costly. Some examples are reflectors, movable panels or absorbing curtains, scenery, orchestra shells and sometimes even movable walls and ceilings. Carmen Cells Virtual wall Active techniques Incident sound Reflected sound Active techniques provide the acoustic components lacking from the room such as first reflections, reverberation or sound pressure level by using electro-acoustic components. Carmen (a French acronym for Active control of reverberation by a natural-effect virtual wall) is a totally original active technique, designed by researchers at CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building). It is based on one essential concept: for the benefit of the musicians and the audience alike, a hall equipped with Carmen must respect the natural laws of acoustics to preserve the sound palette of the instruments and the location of the performers. Carmen is based on the creation of active virtual walls composed of quasi-local reacting cells, distributed around the hall, on the walls and in the ceiling. Working principle Cells Each Carmen cell captures and renders sounds in real time as though they were naturally reflected. An especially developed digital processing unit handles the signals in real time. With this type of architecture, all acoustic parameters are simply and accurately controlled and the space-time coherence of the sound field is preserved. Virtual walls Each virtual wall is composed of several active cells, a complete system having between twenty and forty cells. The sound field is enhanced through the interaction of the different cells in the same way as in a hall where reverberation is obtained through successive sound reflections from the walls. Assets Carmen respects natural sound propagation in the hall. Without any acoustic artefacts (unnatural reverberation, electronic sound, excessive amplification), Carmen cannot be compared to a sound reinforcement system. The resulting high sound quality sets it far ahead its competitors. Carmen does not require any architectural modifications other than the integration of the cells into the decoration of the room. Its operating principle makes the presence of microphones on stage unnecessary. With inaudible background noise Carmen fully redeploys the music in all its purity. 1

4 Carmen Install it and forget about it Once it has been installed, Carmen simply becomes part of the hall just like the walls and the ceiling. Ideal reverberation time varies widely depending on the type of performance (between 0.8 to 1.2 second for a jazz concert and 1.8 to 2.5 seconds for a romantic symphony). The variations needed for the required acoustic quality and comfort can easily be controlled by installing a Carmen system. Carmen is also able to control the distribution of the sound level as well as the clarity and the intelligibility. The acoustic characteristics of any auditorium can therefore be adjusted instantly depending on the particular performance. A hall which might lack reverberation can rediscover with Carmen all the richness and warmth essential for the pleasure of music lovers, allowing them to forget about the restricted acoustics of the hall prior to the installation of Carmen. The effect was spectacular for audiences and musicians alike in the refurbished Brighton Dome Concert Hall where Carmen has been installed. Barry Wordsworth, the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra permanent conductor (United Kingdom), was enraptured: The installation of the Carmen system has totally changed the musical life of the Brighton Dome concert hall in particular and Brighton in general. The success achieved has far exceeded anything that anyone could have imagined possible. To the great delight of performers and the audience, making music here is now a great pleasure. In a hall which previously was a frustrating musical venue, we now have an acoustic which is lively, warm and exciting throughout the spectrum of orchestral sonority. Programme Amplified music, jazz Reverberation Time (in seconds) Lecture hall Theatre Chamber music Opera Symphony concert Carmen adjusts the reverberation time depending on the programme chosen. Adapted acoustics Thanks to programmed presets, the acoustics is adapted in order to fit various performance types: speech drama, conference, chamber music, opera, classic or romantic symphony, oratorio, etc. Digital audio data processing station Each setting corresponds to a set of acoustic parameters, including: Reverberance (reverberation time: RT30) Precision and intelligibility (clarity 80 ms: C80) Sound coverage (sound pressure level: SPL) Early reflections (early decay time: EDT) Tonal balance (spectral distribution) Two options are available: Voice reinforcement (no microphone on stage) for speech drama, conferences, and operas. Public address and music diffusion through the Carmen loudspeakers. A user-friendly tool Natural acoustics Carmen cell Acoustics optimised by the Carmen system A simple remote control touch panel allows the system to be switched on and off remotely as well as changing the acoustic configuration. By just pressing a button on the remote control the room acoustics changes immediately according to one of the available presets (opera, symphony, etc.). 2

5 Virtual wall Carmen Data sheet Carmen is based on the use of active cells. Each cell is composed of a high-quality microphone and includes digital signal processing (), a power amplifier and a loudspeaker. Carmen is automatically managed by the MIMOSA controller which controls system start-up, communication of the cells with the tuning computer, as well as the remote control touch panel which allows the acoustic presets to be changed. An audio patch integrated into the Carmen rack makes it possible to analyse the sound of each individual cell with headphones. High-performance equipment Carmen equipment guarantees a high dynamic range, inaudible background noise and perfect frequency response. Located at the top of modern professional audio material Carmen equipment ensures the performance stability needed for reliable music reproduction. The system complies with current standards. Safety features lock the access to complex parameters at several levels, and limit wrong handling by the user. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) guarantees the protection of sensitive elements against electrical disturbance. Technical specifications*: Number of cells Loudspeaker output power amplifier Maximum sound pressure level produced Maximum sound pressure level on the microphones Frequency band * All specifications are subject to change without notice 20 to 40, depending on the requirements 150 W rms / cell > 100 db (pink noise) for a 24-cell system 130 db Hz Background noise produced < 25 db(a), or NR 15 Stereo line input (for diffusion, PA) Digital processing + 26 dbu max level Motorola 56003, 24 bits A/D and D/A converters Active cell STAGE Carmen electronic rack Tuning Computer MIMOSA Controller Carmen Block diagram Remote control touch panel Remote control touch panel 3

6 Carmen A turnkey system Installation Prior to placing an order A preliminary study of the system installation is done in consultation with the contractor and technical manager of the concert hall. This includes the integration of special needs, technical proposal, definition of the possible acoustic configurations, and a financial estimate. In order to obtain a prediction of the installation s performance, a sound simulation of the hall equipped with Carmen can be done. After placing an order A comprehensive study is carried out in consultation with the architect for the integration of the cells and the definition of the networks paths. The wiring and the installation of the cells is then carried out by a specialized company. The installation ends with the tuning of the system and the adjustment of the various acoustic presets. Test sessions with musicians are then performed before delivery of the final product. No more than two weeks is required for the studies and four weeks for installation (excluding any possible supplementary assistance work). One week of occupancy has to be planned to complete the tuning and the tests. Maintenance: a rapid diagnosis 2 types of maintenance contracts are offered: Immediate restart thanks to remote maintenance by the Carmen technical team in collaboration with the local user (spare elements available in the hall). On-site support by the Carmen technical team (spare elements available at CSTB). Maintenance of the system is provided within a short time-limit. A remote maintenance tool is used to carry out a remote rapid diagnosis of the installation. It is melancholy To dance without an orchestra, And long live the music Which falls on us from heaven! Cost and maintenance Unbeatable price/quality ratio The price/quality ratio is guaranteed by an installation which does not require any major alteration of the hall. The modularity of the system allows CSTB to install the strict minimum number of cells needed to achieve the desired acoustics. The selection of Carmen components has made it possible to optimize the development, production and installation costs. The investment can be rapidly amortized, giving the hall multipurpose characteristics ensuring an undreamed-of programming potential before the installation of Carmen. Each performance will take place under the most appropriate acoustic conditions to the satisfaction of the musicians and the audience alike. Warranty: 1-year full warranty service (time and material). Carmen, act II, scene 5 Norwich Theatre Royal 4

7 "Salle des Princes" Concert halls with Carmen system "Norwich Theatre Royal" "Norwich Theatre Royal" (Norwich, United Kingdom) "Muvészetek Haza Miskolc" (Miskolc Arts Palace) (Miskolc, Hungary) "Théâtre Mogador" (Paris, France) "Brighton Dome" (Brighton, United Kingdom) "Salle des Princes" (Grimaldi Forum, Monaco) "Salle Prince Pierre" (Grimaldi Forum, Monaco) "Micropolis" (Besançon, France) "La Rampe" (Echirolles, France) Achieving musical excellence Carmen extends, enhances and adapts the natural acoustics of auditoriums A system that is Simple Self-contained Efficient Inconspicuous "Salle des Princes" A profitable acoustic solution 5

8 "National Grand Theatre of China (Beijing) - Architect : Paul Andreu & ADPI" Room acoustics CSTB has been involved in many international projects for 25 years in order to assist project managers, building owners and contracting authorities in the field of room acoustics for concert halls and opera theatres. CSTB s acousticians work in close collaboration with the most renowned architects and are in charge of the acoustic programming for renovation work or the construction of new concert halls. CSTB s acoustic skills and expertise make it possible to provide added value beyond the strict room acoustics field: control of noise from building facilities; sound insulation from outdoor noise, vibration sources, noise from stage equipment and HVAC systems. CSTB s computer-assisted simulation software, small-scale studies or even methods for measuring the acoustic criteria of halls make it possible to provide a global approach to the acoustics of complex volumes. A few references "National Grand Theatre of China" (Beijing, China) "Oriental Art Center Shanghai" (Shanghai, China) "Opéra-Bastille" (Paris, France) "Halle aux Grains" (Toulouse, France) "Centre de Congrès et Exposition" (Grimaldi Forum, Monaco) Your contact ROOM ACOUSTICS ISABELLE SCHMICH > isabelle.schmich@cstb.fr > Tel : (33) For further information > June 2008 Conception : CSTB Credits : CSTB Print : 1000 copies ESTABLISHMENT OF GRENOBLE 24, RUE JOSEPH FOURIER SAINT MARTIN D HERES GRENOBLE TEL. (33) FAX (33) SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR BUILDING MARNE-LA-VALLÉE PARIS GRENOBLE NANTES SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS