Vision and technique behind the new studios and listening rooms of the Fraunhofer IIS Audio Laboratory

The new audio laboratory rooms of the Fraunhofer IIS and their technical design are presented here. The vision behind them is driven by the very high demands of a leading edge audio research organization with more than 100 scientists and engineers. The 300 m2 sound studio complex was designed with the intention of providing capabilities that are in combination far more extensive than those available in common audio research or production facilities. The reproduction room for listening tests follows the strict recommendations of ITU-R BS 1116. The results of the qualification measurements regarding direct sound, reflected sound, and steady state sound field will be shown and the construction efforts needed to achieve these values are explained. The connection from all the computers in the server room to more than 70 loudspeakers in the reproduction rooms, other audio interfaces, and the projection screens is done by an audio and video routing system. The architecture of the advanced control software of this routing system is presented. It allows easy and flexible access for each class of user to all the possibilities made available by this completely new system.