THE SOUND SYSTEM

 The venue is fitted with a stereo line array system.

 This system replaced a central speaker cluster in

2009.

 It speeds the turnaround time between

productions.

 A large excavation in the arena reduces set up time

(rig period).

 It enormously enhances the final sound quality.

 THE DRAPERIES
 The drapes are standard 380 GSM theatrical
cloths.

 It regulates reverberation and improve the timbre of

amplified sound.

 Further drapes are used to mask the side walls, and Drapery truss configuration
arena wall.

 A carpet is laid across the platform, for acoustic

performances and also provides a more focused
stage presentation for lighting
ISSUES RAISED
• In 1996, Maestro Edo de Waart and members of Sydney Symphony raised an acoustic
issues on stage and in the auditorium.

• Arup’s report (1998) raises a number of acoustical improvements as follows:

1. Need of overhead reflector
2. Stage modification
3. Replacing lightweight materials with dense materials &
4. Addressing background noise issues.
TRIALS
 Kirkegaard recommended an array of convex square reflectors to achieve appropriate
coverage and control over reflected sound.

 Research team considered the use of solid circular reflectors to increase the acoustic radius.

 A third option was considered with the use of convex discs to infill the holes in the existing
clouds.

 The array was supplemented with additional square panels made of 12mm plywood as a trial.

 Reflective flat wall panels covered the saw tooth walls.

RENOVATIONS
 Renovations done for two main reasons:
1. Get the sound back down to the
players to hear themselves
2. To get more of first reflections as the
right mix of direct sound and reflected
sound from the right directions and
without too much reverberations to
gave better acoustics

 Later in 2016, 28 giant wood reflectors in the shape of

petals were hung above the stage to further improve the
acoustics.

 They also installed yellow foam balls dotted around rows

of empty seats which sent signals to the laptop
demonstrating how sounds from stage hit the reflectors.