RPG Diffusor Systems

Auditorium Control Room

The Control Room in the rear of the Auditorium is typically used for theatrical lighting operation, stage manager observation/direction, and noncritical audio system operation, such as queuing sound effects during drama presentations. This enclosed Control Room would not typically be used to control the audio system during concerts, even if it has a large operable window. Operation of the audio system during concerts typically occurs at an in-house sound mix position. The best location is in the center of the Auditorium in front of the cross-aisle on the main floor.

The acoustic goal for the Control Room is to provide a relatively dead room to help absorb noise and talking resulting from the light & audio operators performing their duties. The Stage Manager might also be located in the Control Room providing directions to the stage crew via wireless headsets. Additionally, the audio operator might need to listen to recorded speech or music to fine tune recording settings.

Ceiling	The ceiling of the Control Room should be a dark-colored Acoustic Ceiling Tile (ACT) with a high Noise Reduction Coefficient of NRC-0.75 or higher. Ceiling height should be 8’-6” to 9’-0”.
Walls	The long, rear wall of the Control Room should be primarily diffsorptive (absorptive in the mid frequencies and diffusive in the high frequencies). RPG’s BAD Panels are the ideal treatment. Place Bad Panels along the full length of the rear wall between 2’-6” and 8’-6”. If there are substantial side walls to the left and right of the light and audio boards, these too should be treated with BAD Panels from counter height to at least 3’-6” above the counter.
Floor	The entire floor of the Control Room should be carpeted.
*Warnings*	These treatment recommendations do not apply to a large Control Room adjacent to a Studio. These types of Control Rooms require critical listening and more extensive shaping and treatment. The finishes in the Control Room should be dark-colored so that they do not reflect lights used by the operators during dark productions. If the finishes are not dark, they will be painted a dark color prior to the first use of the Auditorium. This is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it also seals the pores of the materials making them reflective instead of absorptive.

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