BUDGET: Between 1 crore INR and 4.99 crore INR (More than USD135,000 but less than USD540,000
Project Overview
Hi-Tech Audio & Image LLP is proud to have completed a landmark audio upgrade at The Music Academy, Madras—India’s premier institution for Carnatic music and classical dance since 1928. The Academy is renowned worldwide for its annual December Music Festival, attracting legendary performers and discerning audiences.
This heritage project required a solution that delivered modern audio excellence while preserving the venue’s architectural and cultural integrity. Our team implemented a custom-designed L-Acoustics system in an LCR configuration, incorporating flown and ground-stacked KS21 subwoofers along with strategically placed fill speakers. This ensured clear, consistent sound coverage throughout the 1600-seat auditorium, including the balcony.
The system was engineered for precision, offering a balanced frequency spectrum and maintaining SPL levels of 90–95 dB(A), with peaks above 100 dB(A). This level of clarity allows the subtlest details of both classical and contemporary performances to be experienced fully by every listener.
The DiGiCo Quantum 225 digital mixing console was integrated to provide world-class processing power and flexibility, enabling smooth control across a wide range of performance formats.
What did the client want to achieve?
The Music Academy, Madras sought to upgrade its existing audio system with a state-of-the-art solution that aligns with its global reputation as a premier venue for Indian classical music. The primary goal was to deliver clear, balanced, and immersive sound throughout the 1600-seat auditorium, including the upper balcony.
Given the diversity of performances—from delicate Carnatic recitals to occasional contemporary presentations—the system needed to provide tonal accuracy, wide dynamic range, and minimal listener fatigue. At the same time, it was essential to preserve the architectural integrity of the heritage structure, requiring a discreet and culturally sensitive integration.
The client also aimed to improve operational efficiency by incorporating a modern, user-friendly digital mixing system capable of handling complex productions. This would empower their in-house technical team with better control and flexibility.
Ultimately, the objective was to enhance the overall listening experience for both performers and audiences, while ensuring the venue remains future-ready and acoustically equipped for a wide range of high-quality performances.
Scope of work your company was involved in
The project included the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of a high-end professional sound reinforcement system, with a focus on preserving the venue’s heritage and delivering world-class sound.
A custom-designed L-Acoustics solution featuring KARA II loudspeakers was implemented in an LCR configuration, with flown and ground-stacked KS21 subwoofers and precision-placed fills. This ensured consistent audio coverage across all 1600 seats, including the 750-seat balcony, despite architectural constraints.
The system was finely tuned to accommodate a wide range of performances—from intimate Carnatic recitals to amplified concerts—with a balanced frequency response, SPL levels averaging 90–95 dB(A) and peaking above 100 dB(A), and minimal acoustic fatigue.
A DiGiCo Quantum 225 digital mixing console was integrated, offering FPGA-powered processing, high-resolution audio, and a user-friendly interface for smooth operational control.
Executed with cultural sensitivity, the upgrade maintained the venue’s visual and historical integrity. The project concluded with thorough testing, optimisation, and training of the Academy’s technical team to ensure long-term reliability and ease of use.
What Key Challenges were faced?
Executing an advanced audio upgrade at The Music Academy, Madras, presented several unique and complex challenges.
1. Heritage Preservation:
As a culturally and architecturally significant structure built in 1928, the building demanded absolute care during installation. No structural alterations could be made, and all system components had to be integrated discreetly to preserve its aesthetic and historical integrity.
2. Acoustic Complexity:
The auditorium’s design, with its large volume, curved surfaces, and upper-tier seating, posed significant acoustic challenges. Achieving consistent coverage and tonal balance across 1600 seats—including 750 in the balcony—required careful system design and speaker placement, without the flexibility of major physical modifications.
3. Diverse Performance Requirements:
The venue hosts a wide range of events—from soft-spoken solo Carnatic recitals to amplified contemporary performances. Designing a system that could handle this dynamic range with clarity, warmth, and minimal acoustic fatigue was critical.
4. Structural Constraints:
Rigging flown arrays and subwoofers in a heritage building, without adding stress to existing structures, required custom mounting solutions and careful weight distribution.
How were those challenges resolved?
To meet the unique challenges of this heritage project, a collaborative and carefully engineered approach was adopted:
Heritage Preservation: All system components were installed using non-invasive methods. Custom brackets and discreet cable routing ensured the building’s historical integrity remained untouched.
Acoustic Complexity: A tailored L-Acoustics LCR system was designed using advanced 3D modelling. Flown and ground-stacked KS21 subwoofers, with optimally placed fill speakers, ensured uniform coverage and tonal balance across all 1600 seats, including the upper balcony.
Performance Versatility: The system was tuned for clarity across a wide dynamic range. Calibration focused on consistent SPL (90–95 dB(A), peaking over 100 dB(A)) and tonal accuracy for both classical and amplified performances.
Structural Constraints: Rigging was executed in coordination with structural experts using load-verified anchor points, ensuring complete safety without altering the original framework.
User Accessibility: The DiGiCo Quantum 225 console was chosen for its intuitive interface and robust processing. Comprehensive training enabled the Academy’s technical team to manage the system efficiently.
How has your work helped the client
The successful completion of this project has significantly enhanced The Music Academy, Madras’s capabilities as a world-class performance venue. The new audio system has transformed the listening experience for both artists and audiences by delivering crystal-clear, immersive sound across all 1600 seats, including challenging areas like the upper balcony.
For the Academy, known globally for its commitment to preserving and promoting Carnatic music, this upgrade ensures that even the subtlest musical nuances are faithfully reproduced—maintaining the purity and depth of traditional performances. At the same time, the system is robust enough to support modern and amplified acts, giving the venue flexibility to host a broader range of events.
The discreet and non-invasive installation preserved the integrity of the heritage structure, meeting both aesthetic and conservation goals. The integration of the DiGiCo Quantum 225 console has streamlined operations, giving in-house engineers more control and efficiency during live productions.
Overall, the project has future-proofed the venue’s audio infrastructure, aligning it with global technical standards and reaffirming its position as one of India’s premier cultural institutions.
What are you most proud of about the project?
We take great pride in delivering a world-class sound reinforcement system that perfectly balances cutting-edge technology with deep respect for The Music Academy’s rich cultural heritage. This project was not simply about upgrading audio equipment but about enhancing one of India’s most cherished performance venues without compromising its historic and architectural integrity.
Successfully integrating advanced L-Acoustics technology into a 96-year-old heritage auditorium presented unique challenges. Our team overcame these with innovative, non-invasive solutions that preserved the building’s structure and aesthetic, while achieving consistent, immersive sound coverage for all 1600 seats—including the upper balcony.
We are proud to have created an audio environment that meets the exacting demands of classical music performances, faithfully reproducing subtle nuances while supporting diverse event types. The integration of intuitive, high-performance control systems empowers the Academy’s technical team to deliver flawless productions effortlessly.
