Dolby Atmos Control Room at the Centre des Musiques Actuelles

Overview

The École de Musique et des Arts (EMA) in Geneva commissioned WSDG to design a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos mixing room. This 20-square-meter control room serves as the centerpiece of EMA’s comprehensive audio production facilities, enabling immersive audio recording, mixing, and post-production capabilities within their educational and performance complex.

WSDG served as the acoustical consultant for this project, collaborating with Valentin Cattel from the local architectural firm Reynaud Gaillard Architects, who oversaw building integration and installation, and system integrator ACR Pro. The project began in January 2024 and was completed in early 2025, providing EMA with cutting-edge immersive audio capabilities that complement their existing performance spaces, including two concert halls and a club venue.

Program

The project focused on creating a professional 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos environment, featuring seven surround speakers, two subwoofers, and four ceiling speakers, which were specifically designed for immersive audio production. WSDG was responsible for comprehensive room acoustics design and calibration of the sound system.

The control room was purpose-built to interface seamlessly with eMa’s other facilities, particularly their 300-seat main auditorium equipped with a d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system featuring 64 speakers. This integration allows for object-based recording in the auditorium to be immediately reproduced and mixed in the Atmos environment, creating exciting creative possibilities for both students and visiting artists working with classical, electronic, and experimental music.

The room primarily serves professional recording applications and live monitoring, functioning as a control room for the auditorium’s performances and orchestra recordings, while also supporting post-production projects. The facility strengthens EMA’s position in the emerging immersive audio market, anticipating the growing democratisation of the Dolby Atmos format beyond major labels.

Design

WSDG employed the NIRO (Non-cuboid Iterative Room Optimiser) software developed by REDI Acoustics to optimise the acoustic qualities of the compact space. The room presented unique challenges, as smaller spaces often require more meticulous acoustic treatment. The confined dimensions create higher pressure levels, particularly in low frequencies, demanding sophisticated solutions to achieve optimal sound reproduction.

The design process began with extensive client consultation to understand EMA’s vision and needs, with particular attention paid to maintaining aesthetic continuity with their existing facilities through compatible colours and materials. Silvia Molho and Leandro Kirjner from WSDG’s Miami office oversaw the visual design, drawing on client-provided reference photos to ensure the new space aligned seamlessly with EMA’s established visual identity.

The acoustic treatment includes strategically placed absorption panels behind the speakers and around the soffit, specially designed ceiling clouds, and a stretch fabric ceiling with built-in insulation toward the rear of the room. A large diffuser occupies a significant portion of the back wall behind the sofa, helping to scatter reflections and enhance spatial clarity. The lower sections of the room (up to 60-80cm height) feature Helmholtz absorbers for low-frequency control. Each acoustic element was meticulously designed to serve a specific frequency range and function, ensuring balanced performance across the entire audible spectrum.

The speaker setup features Genelec’s flagship “The Ones” 8361s as the main monitors, Genelec W371A subwoofers, and smaller POE-powered surrounds. The entire system is networked, utilising Dante protocol and controlled via an Avid S4 controller and Pro Tools, allowing for seamless integration with the broader facility infrastructure.

French company 2CA, specialising in composite materials, manufactured the acoustic elements based on the detailed specifications from WSDG’s NIRO reports, with WSDG providing implementation guidance throughout the construction process. The project progressed smoothly with excellent contributions from the school’s regular carpenter, reflecting the successful collaboration between all parties involved.

Upon completion in early 2025, WSDG’s Dirk Noy and Amin Nehmeh conducted final measurements and calibration. The client was thoroughly impressed with the results, finding the acoustic performance to be exceptional. The analytical measurements confirmed the design’s success, creating an impressive immersive audio environment that delivers professional-quality results despite the room’s compact dimensions.

The Dolby Atmos control room represents one component of EMA’s comprehensive 38 million Swiss Franc refurbishment project, transforming their 3,000-square-metre, two-floor facility that includes 45 classrooms, the 300-seat auditorium, and a 200-person club venue – all interconnected through a sophisticated audio network that enables recording from any space. The client appreciated WSDG’s comprehensive approach, noting the team’s ability to translate both acoustic requirements and design aspirations into a cohesive, high-performing space.