Although acoustics is the studios is a fundamental issue for a correct audio in the productions, it is not always given due attention.
The history of Grupo Audio Diseño dates back to 1990 when engineer Servando Chagoya founded a company, which initially had another name, offering audio, intercom and acoustic services for the broadcast industry. A few years later it would take the name by which it is known. Today his son, also an engineer and who bears the same name as his father, has joined the company.
In conversation with TVyVideo+Radio, father and son recalled that historically in broadcast audio has been a bit discriminated against with respect to the image, because the budget is always mainly destined to the solutions that allow to improve the video. Watching a video without audio doesn't make much sense, they said, so it lacks a bit of understanding of what audio entails and what role it plays within the video.
"Audio has evolved and improved but we don't realize it. It catches our attention to watch a program in 4K because we can see it, while when we listen to an audio in high resolution we feel the same. But the change has been radical, the most important thing I've noticed is the way to do it. And that has generated that there is a greater demand for knowledge and mastery of topics around audio, "said engineer Chagoya Jr.
Architectural acoustics
In recent years, the Audio Diseño Group is focusing its services on architectural acoustics solutions, because they have found that this is a topic that has a lot to do with transmission both in radio booths, television forums, recording studios, and that it is not always given due attention.
The Chagoya engineers stressed that one of the problems within the industry in terms of architectural acoustics is that they use in spaces such as radio or television booths materials that generate acoustic problems. That is why you must look for a balance between looking beautiful and working.
They highlighted that one of the most common architectural trends are rock top and glass. And that from there the problems can begin, because it looks very nice but it will not work well. It is not not not using those materials, it is knowing what they can generate and how to compensate for it.
"Many times the problems are not dimensioned and it is thought that with some foam or carton of packing eggs can be solved, but it is a much more complex issue. Due to the lack of knowledge of acoustics, they end up making higher investments in equipment of greater capacity that are not necessary to solve audio problems that in the end are issues of architectural acoustics, "they explained.
As an anecdote, they recalled that acoustics is always one of the last aspects that are taken into account in a project and in many cases they call them when they are already advancing or even finished.
Servando Chagoya Jr. commented that "There was a phrase that I liked very much from one of the books I have studied, it said that acoustics was an objective process to achieve a subjective result. A lot of calculations and simulations are made so that in the end the client says that it sounds beautiful. And as audio specialists we are condemned to only recognize the work when it goes wrong, if something sounds good, how good the transmission, congratulations production, cameras. But if you don't listen, it's that the audio guys don't know, it's typical."
Things to consider
Chagoya engineers highlighted some points needed to take into account in acoustics within a forum or television studio:
- Sound insulation: that noise is not filtered. Choosing a good site can guarantee a very large saving in sound insulation. Choosing a quiet place saves a little.
- Acoustic treatment: It is the intelligibility. As in broadcast what we are going to have is voice, we want it to be heard well.
- Aesthetics and comfort: make it look beautiful and meet the three parameters of comfort: temperature, lighting and acoustics.
- And, mainly, contact the Audio Diseño Group.
