Venue Issues acoustic properties of dance show 1.
Acoustic Breakdown:
-Sound pressure level (SPL) s measured in decibels.
-The louder the sound the higher the pressure.
- The higher the pitch the higher the pressure.
Acoustic problems in the Miskin theatre auditorium space include the fact that the theatre used to be sports hall, so all the surrounding walls surfaces are all the same material and texture, they are flat and thin walls, therefore reflect the sound that is projected against them. This is bad because it produces an echo which means that during shows the narrative will sound distorted and even muffled, which can ruin the show and make it less effective towards the audience. This is why in large scale theatres in London there are different levels for seating as well as the walls being different materials and textures, because this means that it is harder for the sound to reflect as the different textures with absorb the sound, and the seating arrangement as well as different objects and features in the room will disperse the sound and therefore make it harder to reflect, as by the time time the sound has reflected off the walls and the levels in the room, the sound particles would be too small and disintegrate too quickly for the human ear to hear.
To stop these acoustic problems in the auditorium space we could use:
- Drapes
This would add texture to the room and help to absorb the sound.
-Set
This also would help break up sound particles and make it harder for the sound to reflect.
-A large audience
Audience act as objects and levels that make it hard for sound to reflect from.
-A different speaker placement
Sometimes if the speakers are rigged where there isn’t and even throw of sound this can leave room for sound to reflect off of different part of the room and produce echoes.
-Graphic EQ
By using graphic EQ on a mixing desk this can equalise and improve the sound quality in the room.
-Channel EQ
-By using channel EQ on a mixing desk this can improve the sound quality for an individual item or band member which may help contribute to all- round better acoustics within a room.
Venue issues:
-Monitoring placements
The size of the venue determines how many monitors can be placed and positioned in a venue to insure there are no hazards created for performers backstage or onstage (so the speaker need to be visible or have glow tape on them), that there is enough throw of sound to reach the whole audience, and how many extension leads or XLR leads need to be used as well as how they can be hidden I.e LX of gaffa-tape.
-Speakers falling.
Another venue issue is that majority of the time speakers need to be rigged on lighting bars on get an even throw of sound including high range as well as low range. So speakers rigged will always need safety chains and throps to avoid danger.
-In the Miskin theatre monitors are sometimes placed at the front of the seating bank, and for this show this needed to be considered as it is a trip hazard for audience members so they need to be illuminated either with glow tape or light.There is also no specific wheelchair user placements so this could effect speaker or monster placement.
-Sound could have interference from lighting power as light and sound power are close together on upstage wall boxes. This is why everything needs to be tested separately before any shows so that no cables or speakers are affected by this.