The development of fm broadcast studios as performance spaces

Abstract

The design of the recently completed studio complex for fine-arts station WFMT utilized measurement and analysis of desirable existing spaces to determine desired characteristics, such as early-late sound ratios, optimization of room dimensions for uniform mode spacing, and manipulation of reflections to improve diffusion. The main studio is designed to produce microphone pickup as in the chosen existing spaces, while maintaining a comfortable environment for performers ranging from chamber musicians to folk artists. Similarly, the secondary studio is designed for interviews and theatrical productions. Since all control rooms are used for voice announcements, the sound field perception in all such rooms regardless of size matches that in the secondary studio. Similarly, the sound of monitor speakers is uniform from room to room. To achieve these objectives, the sound fields of existing and planned rooms were computer modeled also assuring that changes required during architectural design and construction could be monitored. [A tour of the facility will follow paper presentation; see tour announcements.]