When Did Acoustic Treatment First Start to be Used in Studios?

[ruanddu]

Just curious how long acoustic treatment such as absorption and diffusion have been common in recording studios? For instance, I often watch video clips of the Beatles in Abbey Road studio and noticed there is little absorption in the studio other than partitions. This got me curious how long acoustic treatment has been important in studio construction and sound design? Are there good books out on this subject?

Thanks,
Josh

[avare]

Originally Posted by ruanddu

Just curious how long acoustic treatment such as absorption and diffusion have been common in recording studios? For instance, I often watch video clips of the Beatles in Abbey Road studio and noticed there is little absorption in the studio other than partitions. This got me curious how long acoustic treatment has been important in studio construction and sound design? Are there good books out on this subject?

There is a lot of absorption in Abbey Road, you just do not recognize it. Similarly there is diffusion, but not much in any form that would be built today. Abbey Road studios has been around since the thirties. The big boom, there is a joke in there, in studo acoustics started in the twenties with the advent of popular radio. By the thirties the
(in)famous high end dead/low end boomy acoustic was at its peak in studios. Modern large room acoustics started with Sabine at the turn of the last century.

Sorry, I do not know of any books about historical studio design.

Andre

[ruanddu]

Thanks for the info, Avare. Can you expand on what types of absorption and diffusion Abbey Road used or is using today?

Also, what do you mean by "the big boom" in regards to Abbey Road?

Thanks,
Josh

[avare]

Originally Posted by ruanddu

Thanks for the info, Avare. Can you expand on what types of absorption and diffusion Abbey Road used or is using today?

Perhaps you have not looked at the studios. Here is a link to studio 2.

Abbey Road Studio 2

Also, what do you mean by "the big boom" in regards to Abbey Road?

I meant great growth in studio acoustics, not Abbey Road specifically. I also fogtot to menetion the impact of sound in film, creating a large amount of research in acoustics also.

Andre