Direct Acoustics collaborated with Tilgate Park, a council-owned recreational park located in West Sussex, to develop a sustainable acoustic mitigation solution that would help them obtain planning permission for a permanent marquee. The goal was to meet the high demand for weddings at the park while addressing the challenge of controlling sound levels for nearby residents living just 200m away.
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This summer, the team headed to Ibiza to install our Zone Array directional speaker system for a party tipi in a residential villa.
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The Ferry House
Demonstration to installation
On the Isle of Sheppey resides the gorgeous Ferry House, a 16th-century venue that has been lovingly restored to preserve its heritage and country character. Ferry House offers a rustic oak barn and a waterside oak gazebo with a perfect panorama overlooking the private gardens and sea estuary, as well as a stunning events suite.
Here at Direct Acoustics, we were delighted to have the pleasure of proposing a sustainable acoustic mitigation solution fitting the events marquee with our most advanced flagship technologies to significantly reduce the breakout of amplified music whilst still maintaining high-quality audio.
To prove concept, and ensure the acoustic impact at the residential dwelling positioned 186m away was significantly reduced, whilst also improving upon disturbance generated within the Ferry House’s hotel rooms which are in very close proximity to the events marquee, Direct Acoustics undertook a demonstration of our 64x panel Zone Array directional speaker system.
This cold winter’s demo proved the Zone Array could meet pertinent acoustic criteria in the quietest conditions at the nearest receptor, but to see a significant improvement inside the venue’s hotel rooms just 30m away, an additional mass barrier would be required in the form of our MAL22 acoustic lining.
The Ferry House hosts over 70 events per year in the quiet & flat landscape of the Isle of Sheppey
A MAL22 acoustic lining enclosure and 64x panel Zone Array dedicated to containing both amplified and non amplified noise sources to a dedicated area.
Hosting back to back weddings whilst vastly reducing the acoustic impact on not just the neighbours but also on the venues own hotel rooms a matter of metres away.
March 2022 saw Direct Acoustics begin our installation at The Ferry House, initially installing our MAL22 acoustic lining into the walls, roof and gable-end of the venue’s HTS TENTIQ clearspan marquee creating a dancefloor enclosure with a single open-fronted end.
The purpose of the enclosure is to deflect and contain noise generated from reaching both receptors positioned behind the dancefloor but will still allow guests, situated in the marquee to walk in and out of the enclosure freely.
To gain additional control of amplified music, our Zone Array system was implemented inside this acoustic enclosure along with a Symetrix Prism Process Limiter. Every unique solution we provide ensures control takes priority and disturbance at nearby residential dwellings becomes a non-issue. Whilst the Zone Array localises low frequency onto the dancefloor, our installed limiters manipulate every frequency and volume level emitted through each individual speaker to ensure the system does not cause complaints.
Perfect for venue-operators looking to take back control and grow their business with more frequent late-night events, whilst leaving the environment and neighbours in peace.
Aesthetically our Zone Array system can be invisible to guests, its slim 70mm thickness means it can be installed and hidden behind the lining of the events marquee, allowing the venue to keep control of its curated aesthetic.
In Ireland the bands play late and they play booming loud! Direct Acoustics have been working over there since our first Zone Array install at Clonabreany House back in 2010.
What we have learnt is that you can’t soundproof the marquee enough to satisfy an Irish band. They want a true 100dB LAeq(t15min) music noise level on the dance-floor from 22.00 until at least 02.00.
The low frequency content at 63Hz will have you shaking as it peaks at 115dB LZeq!
One venue struggling to contain an Irish band’s presence asked us to take a look. After a number of tests and discussions, we came up with a solution.
And a lot of it. 12.5 tonnes to be exact.
You, as we did, are probably asking yourself: can a temporary marquee structure really take that much weight?
The project was signed off by two world leading structural engineers. Yes, it needs some (to say the least) reinforcement but a Roder HTS 15m P Series Marquee can take two tonnes per bay with some clever engineering.
The concrete has been installed under a bespoke tuned rubber isolation to stop any vibrations generated through structural borne transmission and therefore potentially causing more issues. See our Soundproofing Fundamentals blog to understand how rubber can help.
Our acoustic model predicted a 33dB Rw but more impressively it was removing 19dB of 50Hz of bass amp nastiness. Couple this with our Highly Directional Zone Array and U2 could play in this place and you wouldn’t hear it outside!
This is the third concrete roof we have installed, but the first one in an aluminium framed marquee. Take a look at the last one we did back in 2018 over in Malta.
There are no limits for these bands. Rock on!
Tipi Soundproofing
2015 saw the rise of the tipis in the wedding and events industry and demand soared at Tentipi, the market leaders in tipi manufacturing. It soon became clear that many of these new tipi venues were having an issue achieving planning due to noise restrictions. This isn’t helped by the fact the conical shape of the tipis often amplified any existing noise issues.
Tentipi and their customers needed a solution which Direct Acoustics were asked to solve. The team were kindly invited by Jon Parr (then Tentipi’s Director and Muta President) to attend their showroom in Reading to experiment and refine our ideas.
Acoustic linings were quickly thrown out of the equation due to the complex canvas design and of course, the canvas sides will be rolled up for summer weddings blessed with good weather. One of the unique aspects of a Tipi wedding is it’s connection to the great outdoors, blurring the lines between outside and in.
The Zone Array was our only solution, but installing it without taking away from the traditional tipi aesthetic became a bit of a challenge.
Installing a directional speaker system into a tipi that has low weight loading capacity and no conventional rigging point’s.
Tipi’s are almost impossible to soundproof through convention means utilising Mass.
A lightweight version of our Zone Array, a single metal rigging rose and some clever adjustable eyebolts with a name (Reutlinger) we still struggle to pronounce.
The on-trend go-to temporary wedding structure now had a solution and prospective venues could diversify away from marquees.
Firstly we had to be sure we were adhering to the weight loading capacity and wind shear values of the Tentipi structure. This meant reducing the thickness gauge aluminium used to manufacture our speaker panels and framing , allowing 36 of the panels to be safely hung.
After thinning down the system, the team set about solving the rigging predicament, testing and proposing a number of designs, until we settled on a fix for our Tipi design.
For this unique Zone Array installation, we utilised a bespoke steel rigging rose suspended from the central peak of the tipi’s nine structural poles. From the rigging rose our engineers fly adjustable steel wire down to loading points within the rigid aluminium frame. The system’s weight is balanced using eight adjustable steel eyelets, which also allow us to horizontally level off the system. Due to the materials used and the position of all pick up points, the Zone Array can float within the structure, preserving the traditional aesthetics that a Tipi provides.
Cracking this design has proven to be extremely beneficial to Direct Acoustics and a range of tipi manufacturers like Tentipi, The Tipi Company and the great guys at Kata Tipis, allowing us to work together to provide an all-in-one solution for prospective tipi venues in unique and tricky locations.
Each installation now comes with Khaki or Tan colour coded panels, frames and reinforcement speakers that match the canvas supplied by your chosen tipi manufacturer.
If you’re thinking of having a tipi wedding then check out Wonderland Wedding Venues. They use great quality tipi’s and have a range of different venues that will suit your needs.
Alternatively if seeking planning permission for a tipi site then see how we can assist your chances of planning approval with our noise assessments and we would be happy to point you in the right direction of tipi providers.
Stanbrook Abbey
Our second installation for the Handpicked Hotel Group, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel is a former Grade II listed monastery, and retains many of the original features making it a charming setting for a wedding. And so it’s no wonder that the venue hosts over 100 events every year and were keen to install a permanent marquee in the grounds to cater for larger receptions.
Stanbrook Abbey’s closest neighbours are just 91 meters away, and to obtain planning permission for the marquee, a noise impact and feasibility assessment had to be submitted.
The timeline consisted of Direct Acoustics obtaining underlying background levels without an event in operation (the lowest measured at Stanbrook was 25.19dB LA90). From there we ascertained the level of mitigation required by running a set of calculations with music at viable operational levels using a point source datum.
To give you an idea about the ambient range, the lowest ambient we have recorded is 17.2dB LA90 at Oakley Hall in Hampshire and the highest was 56.5dB LA90 at The Bloomsbury Big Top in Corums Fields, Central London. 25dB to 35dB is our average gathered L90 within the UK and Ireland based upon 250 sites Nationwide.
Stanbrook Abbey hosts over 100 events a year all with finishing times post 11pm and neighbours just 91m away.
To allow the Abbey to secure their planning permission for an event marquee, we utilised our bespoke acoustic linings and Zone Array directional speaker system.
Planning permission was successfully granted with no appeals and the marquee has been operational for over two years with no complaints.
Direct Acoustics were approached to work in conjunction with the acoustic consultants, production company and marquee supplier to create a bespoke solution for the event. Considering the proximity, low ambient level and required volume level on the dancefloor it became clear that we’d need to employ our full range of products to meet the brief.
At this operational level through a standard point source speaker system and utilising the inverse square law to predict the correlating level at the NSD, we ended up with a level of 55dBA. Considerably higher than the 25dB LA90 background level!
Using real world propagation over distance data gathered with our Zone Array directional speaker system (frequency specific data can be provided upon request), the music noise level was reduced to 41dB, a significant improvement but still 16dB above the required 25dB target level.
Fortunately our MAL16 acoustic lining provided suitable attenuation upon the overall level and across the frequency spectrum to ensure the 25dB background level was not exceeded when events were taking place.
Planning permission was successfully granted with no appeals and the marquee has been operational for over two years now, all without complaint.
If you’re looking to obtain a licence or planning for a permanent development then there’s a few important things to consider.
Answers to these questions will determine the acoustic criteria your local environmental health department will expect you to meet and how much mitigation, if any, would be required to comply.
Head over to our Noise Impact Assessment page for further information on how we work with acoustic consultants to get you planning or give us a call and we would be happy to discuss the process over the phone.
Syon Park
A 21st birthday party that posed the challenge of needing to deliver exceptional volume levels with people sleeping less than 80m’s away. We created a one of a kind marquee to achieve it.
The 200 acre London residence of the Duke of Northumberland with its grand 16th century house makes Syon Park a picturesque and unique venue. Looking to celebrate a 21st in style, the client chose the site but understood it couldn’t accommodate the size or style they desired and opted to use a temporary marquee attached to the rear for the main party.
However, this posed an issue, less than 50m’s from the marquee were a number of houses. The proximity of these dwellings meant noise disturbance would be an issue, especially with the client wishing to party until 4am
Unrestricted dancefloor level and a 4am finish time with neighbours less than 80m’s away meant any typical audio setup would always cause a noise poblem
Employing multiple layers of composite soundproofing including our innovative Acoustic Lining alongside the Zone Array, unique bass floor and standard PA we created a one off acoustically enclosed marquee
Working alongside multiple organisations we ultilised a control at source and boundary strategy to allow a 100dB dancefloor level with no impact to nearby residents
Direct Acoustics were approached to work in conjunction with the acoustic consultants, production company and marquee supplier to create a bespoke solution for the event. Considering the proximity, low ambient level and required volume level on the dancefloor it became clear that we’d need to employ our full range of products to meet the brief.
After extensive planning and coordination with all parties we formulated a mitigation plan. Our team, collaborating closely with suppliers, worked within a tight timeline to install the solution in the 15x15m marquee with a 4m leg.
We fitted a double layer of our marquee acoustic linings combined with traditional soundproofing in the marquee totaling 4000Kg’s, achieving an impressive 48dB Rw Ctr.
A 112 panel Zone Array was installed in conjunction with a standard PA and a unique vibrating bass floor giving the acoustic consultants complete control over volume and frequency specifics.
The consultants were onsite to monitor the event and reported running the dancefloor at 100dB whilst having no audible impact on the nearby residents. In fact they ended up turning down the system because it was too loud for the guests!
The combination of the bass floor and Zone Array created a unique setup complimenting each other. They delivered great results across the spectrum of sound whilst maintaining complete control in where and how much sound was present. Add in the extensive soundproofing we installed to absorb the excess sound energy and we ended up with a one of a kind environment that performed beyond expectations!
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Established as England’s first ever public picture gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery is a unique and architecturally intriguing venue.
The events team have been holding events for years, predominantly within the gallery itself however occasionally the need for larger parties to be held within the grounds of the venue arises.
Historically a few events have seen noise complaints occur, understandably considering neighbouring properties are just 83 metres away. This proved an issue for one particular couple who needed to obtain a TENS licence from Southwark Council. As is becoming often with granting TENS applications, Dulwich Picture Gallery needed to prove noise emissions could be controlled to meet relevant criteria and ensure complaints would not occur.
A wedding party needed unrestricted volume limits but with houses only 83m’s away any typical setup wouldn’t be able to offer the control to get permission
Zone Array directional speakers and a combination of MAL16/MAL22 acoustic linings.
Dancefloor levels of 98dB were achieved while the boundary readings did not exceed 43dB
Direct Acoustics compiled a site specific acoustic mitigation design, incorporating the bride and grooms need for an 8 piece jazz band, 1am finish and uncompromised dancefloor volume levels.
After a night of ambient data gathering for Richard, a venue specific noise management plan and regular mediation, Southwark Council approved the TENS application in the knowledge that our heavyweight 22dB acoustic lining and Zone Array speaker system will be used to full effect to create a soundproof marquee dance tent
Within the incredibly tight timeline we installed a 80 panel Zone Array above the dancefloor and fitted the marquee facing the nearby residents with our Acoustic Linings.
During the event we had a acoustic engineer taking measurements, relaying this information to a sound engineer in the marquee who could control the overall volume and specific frequencies.
The combination of the high directionality of the Zone Array with the acoustic absorption of the lining meant we were able to provide 98dB on the dancefloor while at the boundary maintaining only 43dB even while a 8 piece jazz band played! The client was ecstatic at how well the night went and the gallery very pleased with the results and lack of any complaints.
Malta Camp
Summer of 2018 Direct Acoustics worked with the Order or Malta charity to deliver a week of partying for 500 young people with disabilities
The Order of Malta worked hard to organised week of activities and adventures had been organised for the 500 young people and their carers with each day finishing up with a night of partying. To accommodate the number of guests the organisers chose to erect a marquee in a schools field giving them the flexibility of size and logistics of transporting that many people. However, less than 200m’s from the marquee across open fields were a number of residential properties. The organisers approached us to provide insight into the likely impact of music late into the night, our engineers spent an evening collecting ambient data and modeled a typical PA setup with this information. The results weren’t encouraging, any standard sound system would result in significant disturbances to the residents and have a high possibility of leading to a noise complaint that could shut down the much anticipated party.
Five nights of loud music and guests in a standard 5m clear span marquee with houses only 200m’s away that needed to be able to go on late into the night.
A 144 panel highly directional Zone Array with precise control over volume combined with the noise mitigating capabilities of our heaviest lining installed throughout the marquee. With acoustic engineers attending each event.
We created an acoustically sealed marquee that allowed the dancefloor to sit at an impressive 99dB with the boundary at only 40dB. The guests danced the night away while the neighbours slept peacefully.
With careful consideration of the clients requirements for required volume level and late finishing time we developed a solution that combined Direct Acoustics strongest tools and experience.
We proposed the use of our heaviest weight acoustic lining that can absorb up to 16dB of sound be installed throughout the marquee. This would create a acoustically treated environment that would cut out the unamplified noise and aid significantly with amplified music.
Developed to fit within the Kader track of a clear span marquee the acoustic lining was the perfect soundproofing solution for this event. We were able to install during the erection of the marquee keeping to a tight timeline required by the client.
However, alone the acoustic lining wasn’t going to be enough to mitigate against amplified music. Our highly directional Zone Array with it’s ability to isolate the bass frequencies to just the dancefloor and exceptional volume drop off over distance compared to a standard PA was required.
We installed 144 Zone Array Panels in a dispersed configuration to give the greatest distribution of sound across the large dancefloor whilst maintaining the directionality engineered into the system. To achieve the greatest results we provided an acoustic and sound engineer on site for all five events to closely monitor the levels on the dancefloor and boundary.
The combination of the three tools used, the Acoustic Lining, Zone Array and our onsite presence resulted in five nights of fun for the guests and five nights of peaceful rest for the neighbours. We were able to maintain a more than respectable 99dB on the dancefloor while not exceeding 40dB at the boundary, well within the acceptable limits.
No noise complaints were lodged and the client was exceptionally happy with the results of the system and event!