Audiences attending summer’s shows in Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff ArenA and Lowlands Festival enjoyed significantly improved audio quality, thanks to a new sound improvement product, the NedAcoustics Venue Sound Baffle LT05.

The lightweight temporary Venue Sound Baffle system, engineered to improve sound clarity in the most reflective environments such as major stadiums and large-scale arenas. They were first used, in conjunction with additional permanent acoustic fixed installations within the ArenA, for ten concerts (headlined by Harry Styles, followed by shows from Bruno Mars, Luke Combs and The Weekend.

Mark Plantin, System Engineer of Harry Styles, stated: “When encountering the room treatment solutions in the Johan Cruijff ArenA for Harry Styles, it totally transformed the sound. The challenging acoustic space, with its glass roof, many reflective surfaces and loose low end was transformed with his use of Bass traps at the rear, absorption panelling all over the concrete panelling and a large amount of absorbing roof treatment which reduced the decay time greatly. On being told that the roof absorption system is touring capable, I hope to see it at every available occasion.”

Their all-weather properties were (successfully) further tested, finishing the summer at Lowlands Festival, where they were installed in the Alpha, Bravo, India and Heineken stages. The unanimous opinion from acoustic consultants and sound engineers was a resounding thumbs up.

NedAcoustics is a new company, drawing on decades of combined audio and event production experience. Co-Founder Peter van de Geer, an event acoustic consultant for 40 years, was pivotal in developing the Venue Sound Baffle LT05 system, following years of ‘wrestling’ with the challenges or poor audio quality in stadium concerts, he says:

“Most stadia designed for use as a sports ground struggle to achieve consistent, high quality acoustics at concerts. We’ve worked very closely with Johan Cruijff ArenA where audiences have experience less than optimal acoustic clarity over the past two decades, particularly in the upper tiers of venues, where 1 – 1.5 k frequencies were a particular challenge for audibility, due to reflections bouncing sound waves around, resulting in lesser, often indistinct quality.

“Modern line-array pa systems deliver tighter focused sound waves, which engineers can turn up to give the audience a better experience. But in stadia, when these sound waves collide with the many curved, reflective surfaces, there are reflections giving chaotic reverbs anywhere between 7 to 20 seconds long. Everyone is familiar with the resulting poor, indistinct audio. I feel for touring system engineers and engineers who have a limited time to get the best out of their pa’s.

“Everyone who has worked with the Venue Sound Baffles installed have been astounded by the vast improvement in sound quality. The NedAcoustics Venue Sound Baffle LT05 succeed where other solutions have been tried – and failed.”

Hidde Salverda, COO Johan Cruijff ArenA, states: “Over the past years, the Johan Cruijff ArenA has made significant investments in improving the acoustics and overall sound experience. As a multi-purpose stadium, delivering excellent sound quality requires continuous innovation, close collaboration and a willingness to keep improving. Together with partners such as NedAcoustics, we have been able to test and implement new solutions in a live event environment, achieving tangible improvements for artists, production teams and audiences alike.

These new baffles were over a year in the design and manufacture, and deliver significant sound improvement, by removing sound-wave reflections. The panels weigh less than 2 kg per square meter to minimise roof stress and use materials that do not absorb water, and are fully compliant with Fire Safety requirements.

NedAcoustics manufactured 6,500sq m, installed in six hours for the ArenA shows, creating a ceiling of 3,300sq m, with a backdrop of 2,500sq m behind the stage. At Lowlands Festival the Venue Sound Baffles were deployed behind the stages, in the ceilings and down the sides and rear of the tented stages. They not only improved the audio clarity by reducing reflections, but also reduced the noise levels escaping each stage, which was an important licensing consideration for the clients.

Peter continues: “We’ve been aware of the challenge incoming productions have had at large venues with sound quality. This collaboration was a perfect blend of acoustic and event-logistical knowledge, to create a product that works incredibly well acoustically, and is quick and easy to install.

“Having successfully deployed the Venue Sound Baffle LT05 in two settings known to historically have struggled with sound quality, we’re now launching to the international market for rental or purchase. We can treat a venue or take the baffles on tour, and are already working on a new generation of bass traps for next summer.”