It was in 2023, when I was in charge of sound design and production for a Bharatanatyam programme by a leading artist, that I experienced the existing audio system at The Music Academy, Madras. During the show, I realized that there were many sonic voids in the auditorium’s ground floor, which denied a uniform sound experience from the audience’s point of view.
This prompted me to share a detailed account of my experience with the President of The Music Academy via email. I was immediately invited by him to study the acoustics in relation to the PA system output and to scientifically demonstrate the existing issues. This was duly carried out and presented to the President and a few members of the Executive Committee. After being convinced by our findings, the President commissioned me to explore prospective PA solutions.
After a thorough evaluation of various sound reinforcement brands, taking into account their pros and cons, and considering my previous experience, L-Acoustics, the world’s leading sound brand, was finalized for The Music Academy.
A complete acoustic study of the hall was undertaken again, and the findings were shared with the Chief Designer for the project, Adriaan Van Der Walt. Discussions focused on the advancements and challenges in sound system design, particularly in the context of The Music Academy, and on the collaboration between Adriaan Van Der Walt and myself.
I shared my insights on the sound of Indian music, highlighting its complexity. I explained that Indian music is horizontal in structure, with accompanying musicians typically following and cascading behind the lead artist, resulting in a frequency build-up over the same octave. This characteristic, combined with the limitations of acoustics, microphones and PA systems, affects the overall sound quality during classical performance amplification.
Adriaan outlined the technical aspects of sound system design, emphasizing the importance of clear sightlines and consistent sound pressure levels for all audience members. He discussed the use of SoundVision (L-Acoustics 3D sound designing and mapping software) in the design process to ensure flat tonal response, as well as the necessity for real-time adjustments during installation.
Rajan Gupta, from Hi-Tech Solutions, Delhi, was chosen as the vendor for the project. He attended a meeting with the President of The Music Academy to discuss the bill of materials based on the SoundVision study conducted by Adriaan. The dealer suggested that among the various speaker models available from L-Acoustics, the KARA series would be the most suitable. Attention then turned to selecting the audio console, and based on prevailing trends, it was decided to procure a DiGiCo audio mixer.
A total of 52 speakers including 8 sub woofers were deployed in the auditorium and on stage. Out of the above as demonstrated in the design by Adriaan, two sub woofers were placed in the pit in a specially erected one-foot platform, well-grounded with pads to prevent any acoustic vibration. Two sub woofers were placed on the left and right extreme positions of the stage. This resulted in a very even bass response across the auditorium. The rest of the speaker arrays including four sub woofers were all flown, securely hung with steel ropes.
Adriaan Van Der Walt also spoke about his dual role as a mixing engineer and system designer, noting how his background in theatre influenced his approach. He stressed the importance of even sound pressure levels and the seamless integration of various components to create a magical experience for the audience. I echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of the human ear in tuning sound systems and the delicate balance between technical precision and artistic expression. We agreed on the need to align client expectations with the inherently subjective nature of sound, particularly highlighting the final listening test with the President as a key moment for project refinement.
Adriaan and I acknowledged the collaborative efforts that helped overcome several challenges, underlining the importance of effective communication and mutual respect among stakeholders as critical to the project’s success.
Once the installation and wiring were completed, a live sound test was conducted over three days, during which Adriaan carried out system calibrations. A new audio team, headed by Sriram Ravi, was appointed taking into account their prior experience with similar setups. This team was also present throughout the installation and calibration process.
As part of the revamp, two new 30 kVA UPS systems, dedicated entirely to the PA system, were also commissioned. Dedicated earth pits were designed and constructed for the system as well. Power and audio wiring were redone entirely by Alagar Electricals. Adriaan personally trained the audio team on operating procedures and diligently supervised each member in adhering to the SOPs. He was confident that the team was highly capable of handling the system with professional finesse.
The system was officially handed over to The Music Academy, Madras, during the last week of April to enable them to conduct a series of test concerts—allowing the audio team to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the SOPs.
R Sai Shravanam
Music Producer, Sound Engineer and Designer
