Enhancing on-stage acoustics: solving sound imbalance at Hollywood Bowl
A world-renowned amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills, since its opening in 1922 the Hollywood Bowl has been considered a premier destination for live music.
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The Challenge
Performers at the Hollywood Bowl reported inconsistent on-stage acoustics, particularly an overpowering presence of bass frequencies in specific areas. This imbalance made it difficult for artists to perform with confidence, impacting both their experience and the overall sound quality of live events. The challenge was to diagnose the root cause and implement an effective acoustic solution without compromising the iconic venue’s aesthetic or structural integrity.
Our Approach
Our team of acoustical experts:
- Conducted an extensive sound mapping study of the stage to fully understand the issue.
- Using a combination of impulse response measurements and pink noise level analysis, employed a custom-built semi-spherical sound source to capture an accurate representation of the sound field.
- Reviewed, in parallel, the architectural geometry of the stage and discovered that the canopy structure above was unintentionally concentrating sound energy into discrete patches, creating a focusing effect that was the primary cause of the bass-heavy hotspots that performers were experiencing.
- Implemented a tailored low-frequency absorption strategy based on findings, that involved applying targeted absorption treatment to the underside of the 4-inch-thick concrete stage shell.
The Outcome
By effectively absorbing excess bass energy, the problematic sound focusing effect was mitigated. Post-implementation feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Performers have reported a noticeable improvement in on-stage acoustics, and the technical sound team at Hollywood Bowl has confirmed that the adjustments have enhanced overall sound consistency.