Full Sail University opens its Dolby Atmos learning room

CDD playback of Martin Audio Set up advanced training installation Dolby Atmos at this private American university, in which classes are taught, workshops, Listening experiences and lectures.

Specialized in audio production, musical, of shows and recording arts, the Full Sail University has recently launched a new Installation with technology Dolby Atmos for tuition, workshops, Listening experiences and lectures at your Winter Park campus, in Florida (United States).

The reproduction of the 'Object-based' spatial concept is uniquely performed through Twenty-six speakers carefully selected and strategically placed from the manufacturer's catalog Martin Audio.

According to Brandon Egerton, Director of Education at Audio Arts, one of the largest Dolby Atmos rooms on a college campus, This topic had been the subject of debate for several years, "But we needed to make sure we were using the right technology. We believed it was important to have a solid knowledge, so we take our time intentionally".

Along with Darren Schneider, responsible for recording advanced Full Sail sessions, used existing industry collaborations to get "a really intimate perspective on the Production workflow -Says-. We already have a scenario of dub 7.1 On campus, but we wanted to create an additional dedicated space for our students to explore and engage with the Atmos format. This new classroom facility allows us to do so".

As he adds Michael Orlowski, Director of Technical Services, "The classroom was originally designed as an audio space 5.1. This room was frequently used to Courses focused on surround and multichannel sound, which made it a perfect candidate for a revamp and upgrade to Dolby Atmos".

The search for the optimal reproduction for such a discreet and localized positioning of an object-based format led Full Sail to Focusrite and his collaboration with Martin Audio. "Our goal in creating this space was how to accurately demonstrate the Dolby Atmos format… Listen to the immersive properties of an Atmos mix and the separation between the ceiling speakers, the sides and the rear? Therefore, Our approach was to consult with our manufacturers, specialized in high-quality audio systems for installations".

After a roadmap meeting with Focusrite, "We first looked at installing classroom speakers with O-Line by Martin Audio, giving students in the front row and those in the last row the same optimized experience", Schneider stresses.

Although this was the origin, The focus of this expert then turned to the CDD discrete coaxial differential dispersion technology. The specification Dolby Atmos SPL 85 db in the space of one hundred seats was achieved once the upgraded to CDD12 and increased the original subwoofer capacity.

"Dolby has a dynamic margin of 20 dB and, though we'll never reach the 105 db, We have limited the maximum level that the teacher can set in the room to 85 dB SPL". A global system touch control panel ensures this.

The end result of Full Sail has been to specify three of the larger CDD12s as a conventional L/C/R system, with students and guests as part of a Wrap-around system (Side/Rear/Top) which includes twelve CDD8 (Four per wall) and eight series speakers Martin Audio C8.1T on the roof. The LF extension is delivered through a pair of SX118 subwoofers, with a combined pair on the back.

The company Linea Research, Focusrite Partner, has provided the engine, in the form of pure Class D amplification, with a model DSP 44C10 four-channel drive CDD12 L/C/R and LFE front torque, and three 88C03 of eight channels assigned to everything else.

"When we met with Martin Audio, we learned about the Asymmetric dispersion provided by the CDD range and its ability to work well with an existing classroom that has a false ceiling," Orlowski recalls. After collecting all the information about CDD speakers, It was easy to go through the product line to find the ones we needed.".

With the help of Martin Audio's technical specialists, Brad Stephens and Joe Lima, This expert assures that "working with them was fantastic. We were able to take those specifications, put them in DARDT and have Dolby analyze the plan". This included predictions of the roof taking into account the intrusion of the heating system, Ventilation and air conditioning, the positions of the projections, etc.

The dedicated DSP of Linea Research amplifiers provided a plus point. "As this classroom would house several degree programs and demonstrate the software of Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic, etc., We didn't want to put the Corrective Room EQ, including delays in the DADman control software, only for any of those settings to change in a class and then not recover properly… modifying the Dolby curve that we had worked so hard to achieve", Orlowski specifies.

All corrective EQ is stored within Linea Research amplifiers, "And the rest is set up in a flat retrievable preset so we can teach the technology, but it doesn't change the sound characteristics of what the speakers and amplifiers are doing.".

The speakers are powered by Avid Pro Tools MTRX II. The signal goes out through Dante and passes through a Q-SYS Core for Linea Research amplifiers, also within this network.

"Martin Audio provided us with training to execute the System Engineer software. We did the tuning and sound, and then Dolby tuned the room with two presets: one matches the modified X-curve for music and home entertainment, and the second is a flatter and corrected response. The presets are stored in Linea Research and we use the plugin in Q-SYS to switch between the two settings.", Orlowski concludes.