The other day I was checking out some of the resources on the BBC R&D website with regards to good standards/specifications for studios. I have compiled references to some of the papers that I found to be most useful.
The following considerations make reference to various papers produced by BBC R&D, as examples of industry standard specifications for facilities. There are various other resources in the world, but the BBC are a good standard-bearer for providing good quality content across a range of platforms that includes television, radio, film, and music.
A word of caution –facilities suitable for sound and media production to an industry standard can be complicated and expensive to construct and fit-out.
Background Noise
Background/ambient noise for studios and control rooms must be minimised to provide scope for high quality, clean recordings and listening environments. This includes appropriate isolation from HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) noise, computer and machine noise, and other external noise.
Reference:
Revised background noise criteria for broadcasting studios
K.F.L. Lansdowne, D.J. Meares
Report 1980-08 Jan 1980
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1980_08
Sound Insulation
The BBC’s sound insulation requirements in broadcasting studio centres (Revision of the sound insulation requirements in broadcasting studio centres – R. Walker, 1981) specifies that, “The sound insulation required at any frequency to isolate any area from any other area must be greater than the difference between the peak sound pressure level in the source area and the background noise level in the receiving area”.
References:
Revision of the sound insulation requirements in broadcasting studio centres
R. Walker
Report 1981-01 Jan 1981
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1981_01
A review of the airborne sound insulation requirements for broadcasting studios and ancillary areas
R. Walker
Report 1990-10 Jan 1990
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1990_10
Statistics of typical programme sound pressure levels in sound studios and their control rooms
D.J. Meares
Report 1973-37 Jan 1973
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1973_37
The control of the audible effects of ground vibrations in building structures
C.D. Mathers, R. Walker
Report 1989-02 Jan 1989
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1989_02
The assessment of the sound insulation requirements for a large broadcasting studio, using a scale model: theoretical considerations
E.W. Taylor
Report 1987-20 Jan 1987
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1987_20
The assessment of the sound insulation requirements for a large broadcasting studio, using a scale model: practical details
E.W. Taylor
Report 1987-21 Download Jan 1987
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1987_21
Reverberation Times
Reverberation times of studios and control rooms are a critical consideration. Good acoustic design and treatment are crucial in these sorts of facilities, and effect the types of productions and genres that can be produced in the facilities.
Generally studio rooms allow for reverberation times that are longer than control rooms, and studios need to allow for reverberation times and frequency responses suitable for speech or contemporary music recordings.
References:
Data for the Acoustic Design of Studios
C.L.S. Gilford, A.N. Burd, N.F. Spring
Monograph BBC Monograph 64 Jan 1966
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/bbc_monograph_64
The acoustic design of talks studios and listening rooms
C.L.S. Gilford
Report1958-28 Jan 1958
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1958_28
Room Dimensions
Room dimensions are important factors to consider for practical implementation of studio, rehearsal room and control room environments. Suitable size of spaces for the tasks required, including adequate ceiling height for studios and control rooms need to be considered carefully. This is especially the case for teaching environments where there might be a need to allow for a number of students to be involved in procedures.
Reference:
Optimum dimension ratios for studios, control rooms and listening rooms
R. Walker
Report 1993-08 Jan 1993
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1993_08
Other Considerations
There are numerous other considerations to be kept in mind, but it is beyond the scope of this short paper to go into all details or plans. A few others worthy of mentioning at this point though include:
- Ventilation and airflow without compromising sound isolation;
- Suitable lighting for the facilities;
- Well planned and executed electrical, audio and data cabling to avoid any potential noise or crosstalk or earthing/grounding issues.