Sound booth : Place or site where the operator or the audio mixer handles the sound console.
Summary
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- 1 sound control room
- 2 Mixing station in the auditorium
- 3 Equipment for sound control
- 1 Recording tables
- 4 Table for scripts
- 1 Amplifiers
- 5 Output control
- 1 Broadcast quality of the show
- 6 Peripheral equipment
- 1 Chairs
- 7 Sound control room equipment
- 8 Sources:
sound control room
Sound control booth is also known as sound control room
In large auditoriums with amplified sound or sound effects, the control room should be located within the seating area to be within the acoustic volume of the auditorium. It will be a closed space with an observation window open to the auditorium. The operator needs an uninterrupted view of the rendering area, as well as being able to hear it.
The sound control room contains:
– A control table with a chair for the operator, which allows him to see the scene while sitting on it.
– Recording tables – Racks – Loudspeaker monitors – Stations for scripted work – Observation window with opening size determined by visuals and sound quality. This opening should be able to be closed with a frosting panel. – Ceiling and walls with suitable acoustic finishes – Minimum dimensions: 3 m wide x 2.4 m deep x 2.4 m high.
Although it will have one or more loudspeaker monitors, it should be possible to open the communication window with the audience so that the operator perceives the sound coming from it. The window must provide at least 30 dBA of sound insulation. This space needs a higher level of acoustic control than others as it contains noisy equipment. Racks that do not need to be manipulated during performance can be placed in a separate box in the rear area of the stage .
Auditorium mixing station
For amplified concerts, a central position in the seating areas of the auditorium is needed to mix the amplified sound of the scene, so that the operator can hear the same sound that reaches the audience . It must be a flat area, with a minimum area of 2 x 2 m, with a protective barrier and a safe location for the equipment, which will include a sound control and mixing desk .
If the sound control room is not centrally located, under a box, or its opening to the auditorium is small, an additional mixing position located in a central location in the auditorium will be required . It must be free of projections and at a distance of at least the width of the proscenium or the front of the stage from the orchestra pit . It must be a flat area of 3 m2, which can be achieved by means of a temporary platform and must be located in such a way that it does not create distractions for the public.
Sound control equipment
- Provision
It is advisable to have mobile recording tables to adapt to the different types of performances.
- Furniture
They must have drawers for editing accessories and cabinets sized for the storage of recording material. It is very important to provide the sound room with adequate storage capacity. You must have racks and a small workbench for repairs.
- Decor
The finishes must be dark to avoid the reflection of light towards the interior of the auditorium. Dark colors are preferable to black because they provide greater comfort for workers. The floor must have an antistatic mat . Control room acoustics should be considered when deciding on finishes.
- Interconnections and impedances
It is essential that all equipment within the control room is adapted to the installation with the same professional standard of impedances and connectors.
recording tables
A minimum of two semi-permanent recording tables are needed, and a third one that can be transported outside the control room for recordings or rehearsals, which must contain:
- mixers
- mixer jacks
- equalization
- level control
- Auxiliary outputs
- insertion
- Special connections for the mixer
- Cover for the transport of the table
- Controls and signals
Buttons that require pressing must be illuminated or provide unambiguous indications for their use. The rotary controls should scroll at small intervals, rather than continuously. The signs must be recorded, rather than printed, and their reading is facilitated if they are made in white on a black background.
script table
mixer size
For an average 750-seat theater with a standard repertoire, the mixer should have 16 main inputs and 8 main outputs, although 24 inputs are preferable for concerts or musicals. The minimum is 12 inputs and 4 outputs.
amplifiers
Some will have a permanent location, while others will have covers for their transfer for private uses.
output control
The control room will need a pair of high quality loudspeakers connected by an amplifier, with good monitoring quality.
Broadcast quality of the show
If the control room has a closed window, it must have a high quality transmission of audio from the auditorium, correctly monitored.
peripheral equipment
A number of signal processors, reverb units, graphic equalizers, etc. will be needed. in the control room.
Chairs
They must be comfortable and adjustable enough for the operator and mixer to endure hours of work without unnecessary fatigue.
Sound control room equipment
Sound control equipment consists of a mixing console with a computer, audio processing and playback units. It has a considerable amount of wiring and connections. This space accommodates the equipment racks, with enough room for future expansion, around 25-30% of the total size. Each piece of equipment in the rack needs a dedicated power outlet. In addition, the room will have a refrigeration system. The racks must be as deep as possible, about 800 mm, and have 1200 mm of free space in front and 800 mm in the rear.
Their height should make them practicable, up to about 41 units. A small theatre, with about 250 seats, will need between 3 and 4 racks of equipment, which means a room of at least 3 x 4 m. A medium size theater with up to 750 seats will need between 7 and 8 racks, requiring a space of 4.5 x 5 m. A large theatre, with 1,200 seats or more, will need 10 or more racks and a room of at least 5 x 6 m. A building of this size may require an additional room for speaker amplifiers.