Wenger VAE, User Manual

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Using the vAE
11
USINg ThE vAE
SELECTING A ROOM
You have instant control over the type of room that you practice in. Feel free to try
each of the nine virtual performance spaces to experience how they sound. They are
arranged basically in order of room size, but the type of room makes a difference in the
sound as well. Once a room type is selected, that selection will remain until another
one is chosen. The room selection defaults to PRACTICE ROOM at power on. A com-
plete description of each room type is given below.
PRACTICE ROOM
Modeled after the acoustics of a typical 8’ x 10’ music practice room with minimal
acoustic treatment on the walls.
BAROQUE ROOM
A room with seating for up to 125, similar to the spaces in which music composed
during the Baroque period was performed. This room is modeled after a typical
ornate room of that era with hard walls, floors and high ceiling, giving it a charac-
teristic brightness and envelopment. Since these rooms were quite reflective, they
were also quite “loud” in comparison to larger spaces meant for greater numbers of
performers. The live feel of this space is ideally suited for smaller arrangements as
well as oratorios and instrumental concertos.
MEDIUM RECITAL HALL
A modest-size recital hall with seating from 100 to 200 seats, providing an intimate
performance space. These types of rooms are typically found in schools of music
on college campuses with active music programs. This room is modeled after typi-
cal recital halls constructed of hard walls and ceilings with angled wood panels
along the sidewalls and in the rear of the room providing diffusion to the space.
Characteristics of these rooms are good clarity and warmth with smooth decay pro-
vided by nice, even diffusion of sound within the hall.
LARGE RECITAL HALL
A larger recital hall, ranging from 350 to 500 seats. Halls like these are typically
found on college campuses and intended for performances of larger groups. The
hall is modeled after spaces with hard walls and high ceilings with the addition of
diffusing wood panels along the side and back walls. In the ceiling area are reflec-
tive clouds to provide enhanced early reflections. Characteristics of this space are a
bright sound with a smooth, longer decay of sound.
SMALL AUDITORIUM
A small auditorium space with seating for 500. Spaces like this are often found on
college campuses, churches, and some civic facilities. Because many groups share
them, these auditoriums are not necessarily dedicated for music performance. The
space is modeled after typical construction of hard walls and ceilings with some
absorption in the back of the room to prevent strong reflections back to the stage.
The room has a small stage without a proscenium. Characteristics of these spaces
include strong early reflections due to the smaller size, a bright sound and a rela-
tively short decay to the sound.