Contribution
Applicability of Common Room Acoustic Parameters for Music Recording Spaces in Recording Studios
* Presenting author
Abstract:
There is extensive research on performance spaces and guidelines for musical practice spaces and mixing rooms, but little more than best-practice approaches for the design of recording spaces in recording studios. The objective of this research was thus to evaluate the suitability of common acoustic parameters developed for performance spaces, as descriptors for key acoustical characteristics of recordings spaces. To this end, acoustical measurements following ISO 3382-1 were conducted in 21 recording rooms and compared to interviews with the studio staff. The findings indicate that existing standards do consider crucial room acoustic aspects such as frequency-related reverberation and amplification, but the exact parameters and recommended values are not sufficiently tailored to the particular requirements of music recording studios. Based on the measurements and interviews, the examined recording rooms were classified into three categories: neutral/dead, lively, and unintentionally coloured. This classification can provide a foundation for the strategic planning and optimization of recording rooms according to their intended use, such as the type of recorded of musical styles and instruments. However, there is a clear need for further research and the development of specific standards for the acoustic planning and evaluation of music recording spaces.