Designing the Ideal Acoustic Studio for Opera Singers
The treatment of interior surfaces play an important role in acoustical design, particularly for studios designed for singers. The ceilings and walls should provide favorable reflections to reinforce the sound, and yet too much reverberation is undesirable, particularly for opera singers.
The design at Open Jar Studios includes a specific attention to these details to retain an excellent acoustic quality within the studios by employing a unique mixture of reflective surfaces and customized acoustic panels throughout the studios.
According to studio owner, Jeff Whiting:
When we set out to design this space, we had two major goals:
1. We wanted to ensure that the sound inside the studio would be satisfying to those who rehearse and,
2. We wanted to ensure that the sound inside that studio remains inside that studio and not impact the other studios also rehearsing independently.
By enlisting acoustic experts, Open Jar Studios created an ideal acoustic for all singers, which may be the reason for its’ immense popularity in the opera world for auditions, rehearsals and work sessions.
FLOATING ACOUSTIC PANELS
The placement of acoustic panels on walls is an important factor in creating a well-balanced acoustic environment. Open Jar Studios created customized floating sound panels that “float” away from the studio walls in order to control the reflection of the sound inside the room. Built with absorptive materials with NRC rating of 1.00 and by installing them more than 2” away from the wall, the reflection in the room has been strategically reduced.
ABSORPTIVE CEILING COVERINGS
A Polyester Acoustical Board with an NRC rating of 0.70 installed along many of the ceilings in the studios provides exceptional sound absorption throughout many vocal studios, creating a unique blend of reflection and absorption.
SOUND TREATED STUDIO WALLS:
Studios that share a wall within the space have been treated with a double sound attenuation technique, specifically designed to prevent sound from traveling from one studio into another.
Polyester Acoustical Board
OPERA SINGERS:
“This is by far the best, most comfortable studio rental environment WE have ever experienced.”
- Jennie Mascon, Mezzo-Soprano
“WE absolutely loved our experience working in your studios. We loved both rooms we had. STUDIO 12K, in particular, was fabulous!”
OPERA COMPANIES WHO HAVE WORKED AT OPEN JAR:
The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Portland Opera, Berkshire Opera Festival, Bronx Opera, Detroit Opera, Nashville Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera on Tap, Off Brand Opera, On Site Opera, New Camerata Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera D’Oro, Sarasota Opera, Catapult Opera, Victoria Opera House, Haus of Shmizzay, NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players, The Little Opera Theatre of New York.
OPERA SINGERS:
“OPEN JAR IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED!”
- Lindsay Rider, Soprano
Lindsay Rider is a singer, producer, teacher and coach based in New York City, and notably appeared in AMERICAN IDOL. She was born and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania. After completing her bachelor’s degree at Ithaca College (BM, Vocal Performance), she came to New York to study and attend the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.
Lindsay is also the CEO of THE OVERTURE INSTITUTE, a self-awareness and self-reflection hub providing coaching and motivation for thousands.
DID YOU KNOW? An opera singers volume can be as much as 100dB.
For context a refrigerator’s dB level is about 50, a jet taking off is around 140db.
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