EGR Software presents:

Surround Audio Meet & Greet - Open Studio - "The Bubble"

When: Friday October 3rd -- 6pm to 9pm

Where: "The Bubble" near Civic Center in San Francisco; approximately a 10 minute walk from the front of Moscone Center. Contact founder[$@$]egrsoftware.com(remove spam block) for directions.

Who: All those interested in surround audio who would like to opportunity to meet up and discuss shop and check out a brand new facility that features a 32 speaker (24.8) 3D array.

Featuring: Playback of b-format recordings from Ambisonia and B+ recordings from Thomas Chen in addition to original software for music production and 3D game audio by EGR Software. Food and beverages will be available, but there are also several restaurants nearby.

Contact founder[$@$]egrsoftware.com(remove spam block) for directions.

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Original call for participation (contains extensive information on the studio setup):

EGR Software, primarily involved in Ambisonic surround R&D, has just finished a new studio called The Bubble featuring a 32 speaker 3D array. In an effort to reach out to the surround community The Bubble is being made available for all researchers and groups that would like to present surround technology (including surround w/ height) during the 2008 AES convention in San Francisco this October. The AES planning committee is involved and it is quite possible if a couple or more community researchers become involved that an official satellite event may form in the weeks running up to the conference. If interested please contact Mike Leahy (founder[a*t]egrsoftware.com; remove spam block) as soon as possible. I will forward on contact information of appropriate parties to the AES planners committee. In addition to providing the space Mike Leahy will act in a curator/facilitation role to make sure all demonstrations flow as smooth as possible.

Pictures:
   

   

Space Description:
"The Bubble" is a brand new R&D media facility conveniently located in San Francisco in the Soma district close to public transportation and a 10 minute 3 block walk from Moscone Center. The main feature is a 32 speaker 3D sound array built specifically to create new and affordable audio software and hardware applications for Ambisonics and related technologies. The studio also features mastering grade monitoring (Lipinski), a large projection screen with 1080P projector, various video cameras for computer vision applications, and four silent moving lights providing cross media exploration possibilities appropriate for venue and home theater environments.

Location: Close to Civic Center in SF and a 3 block walk from Moscone Center.

Equipment/Room Specifications:

  • Studio Room specification - The room has a width of 23'10", 23'5" depth, and 11'2" height. The room is also acoustically treated with significant bass traps, carpet, and thick theatrical drapes lining the walls providing controlled acoustics with no slap back echo or natural room reverberation. 40 chairs are available for presentations, but to facilitate movement most likely the studio will be configured for standing room only with 8-10 chairs on the side or in corners.

  • Sound array - The 3D array is a 32 speaker hemisphere (8.8.8.8). JBL 4300 series speakers are used via AES digital routing from a MADI source. 24 JBL LSR4326P powered monitors provide 3 tiers of 8 in a regular octagon pattern and 1 lower tier of LSR4312SP subs. The speakers are uniformly positioned 132" from the center point of the room/floor except for 2 speakers on the mid tier that are extended 36"/3ft to a position behind the projection screen following the same angle/inference of the regular array positions.

    Regarding decoding to the array. In my software I use dual band decoding separating the 24 4326 speakers from the 8 4312S subs. This way one can tune the subs separately of the main hemisphere.

  • Audio Connections - MADI, AES, ADAT, Analog -- There is one computer in studio with a RME MADI HDSPe that connects to the RME ADI-6432 with AES break outs to the 3D array. In addition there is a RME MADIface available for those that have an ExpressCard/34 interface on a laptop, a RME ADI-648 ADAT light pipe to MADI converter, and a RME Fireface that can provide a Firewire laptop connection or provide stand alone analog to ADAT conversion which subsequently the ADI-648 can convert to MADI to reach the 3D array.

  • Reception Room - The reception room is connected to the studio room provides overflow for attendees, space for additional hardware brought for demonstrations, and additional media/presentation possibilities. There is a 52" LCD display mounted on the wall that is connected to an HDMI matrix switch such that content may be mirrored on the studio rooms projector and in the reception room or it may be split and provide a kiosk where presenters papers may be perused.

  • Video Connections - From the server rack in the reception room there is an 4X4 HDMI matrix switch that routes video to the 1080P projector in the studio room and the 52" LCD display in the reception room. HDMI connections will be available in the studio and reception rooms for those interested in displaying video content. The projection screen in the studio is 16:9 and measures 160" diagonally. The 52" LCD Display is also 1080P / 16:9

  • Garage - If necessary to accommodate further overflow a clean/empty garage is available that can accommodate an additional 20 people.

  • Occupancy Limits - Max occupancy is 70 people; ~30 in the studio room ~20 in the reception room ~20 in the garage. The space is 1600 sq ft. Ideal occupancy is 25-50.

    Program / Itinerary:
    The general thought is that the facility may be open for 4-5 hours during the day/evening for 2 or possibly more days of the convention. It will be possible to display paper presentations in the reception room on the LCD display in a kiosk fashion and use the main projector in the studio for more specific information regarding the current demonstration. It is possible to support individuals who may wish to give an organized presentation of no longer than 20 minutes length combining projected video/slides and use of the 3D array. Between presentation/demonstrations b-format Ambisonic recordings will be available for playback. Ideally presentations of particular hardware/software will be about 30 minutes. Also, it is certainly welcome for a researcher to perhaps run a work shop regarding Ambisonics that may be up to an hour in length. Please do contact Mike Leahy (founder[a*t]egrsoftware.com; remove spam block) with additional suggestions and interest in presenting as soon as possible.

    Equipment Facilitation:
    There are several ways to facilitate presentations and demonstrations. It is possible for 3rd party computers/software/hardware to be interfaced to the audio/video facilities of The Bubble or software can be loaded/configured on existing computers already running at The Bubble. As the space facilitator I would be glad to configure any software for presenters that is considered publicly or openly available. By sending Mike software in advance troubleshooting can occur before the convention begins. While the facility will be available before the convention for presenters to setup equipment/software it would be great to get as many presentations setup prior to the convention. The Bubble will be available for setup / trouble shooting two days before the convention and before daily operating hours.

    Array Configurations:
    The Bubble provides a minimal compromise 3D array for Ambisonics, but it is recognized that not all researchers/practitioners/developers may find this suitable for presentation of their work especially if not Ambisonic based. It may be quite possible to extend the current array with additional speakers such as a center speaker for surround tech that extends a 5.1 configuration; other configurations are possible as well. Through a combination of mapping to the existing installed speakers and a few additional speakers it should be possible to accommodate surround tech besides Ambisonics. These additional speakers will need to be rented or brought by respective parties requiring such arrangements and should accept AES digital as there is an additional 32 AES outs from the ADI-6432. Ideally any additional speakers will be JBL LSR4326Ps. I will try and locate a local rental company that can rent these speakers if possible.

    SketchUp / 3D model:
    A 3D model to scale of the studio room and sound array is available as a Google SketchUp file. It has been exported to AutoCAD as well and both files are available below. The SketchUp file will contain textures and in general look a lot nicer than the AutoCAD export which came from the the SketchUp source. The AutoCAD files should still be usable for general dimensions. The 3D model was used to position the array and translate dimensions for custom fabrication of all mounting hardware. The 3D models have not been updated to the actual install configuration which may vary slightly from what is in the 3D model due to minor installation constraints. All speakers measured from the center of the speaker face are 132" from the center of the room measured during installation. The 3D model may differ from this slightly.

    Use right click / save link as to copy to your local computer:

  • SketchUp Model (*.skp; 11 megs)
  • AutoCAD Release 14 Model (*.dwg; 26 megs)
  • AutoCAD Release 14 Model (*.dxf; 82 megs)