Neumann for Japan's Next Generation

Tokyo, July 2024 – Since its establishment in 1987, the Tokyo School of Music and Dance (TSM) has produced numerous musicians and sound engineers who are expected to lead the future of audio. As immersive audio gains prominence, TSM introduced a practical music production environment using immersive audio in the fall of 2023 for students aiming to become specialists in composition and arrangement. In a classroom called "DigiWave," where students learn music production mixing and mastering, a Dolby Atmos compatible sound system featuring Neumann DSP-integrated monitor speakers and subwoofers has been adopted.

TSM was one of the first music vocational schools to introduce a classroom sound system compatible with immersive audio. Mr. Yuya Umemura, a homeroom teacher in the Music Technology Department of TSM's Academic Affairs Division, explains the background: "In the entertainment industry, young creators with a sense of immersive audio are gaining attention. We decided to incorporate music production designed for immersive experiences into our curriculum to provide students with early exposure to the allure of immersive audio."

Regarding the choice of Neumann's KH series for the monitor speakers, Mr. Umemura says the following: "A sound engineering instructor at our school originally recommended that we consider the Neumann KH Series. Later, I had the opportunity to listen to the KH 80 DSP speakers used by a composer I know. I was captivated by their very natural, uncolored, and faithful reproduction of the original sound, which led to the decision to use them our classroom."

The installation and optimization of the sound system tailored to the classroom's unique acoustic environment were handled by Mr. Yusuke Ueno from Sunphonix Co., Ltd. "Previously, the DigiWave classroom was equipped with stereo mixing equipment. We retained this setup and added a new Dolby Atmos compatible immersive audio sound system to allow switching between systems depending on the lesson content. To maximize the effectiveness of multiple systems in a limited space, it was necessary to have monitor speakers with built-in DSP for individual sound field adjustments. The Neumann KH 80 DSP chosen by Mr. Umemura was the best choice."

7.1.4 Immersive Classroom – DigiWave

During the installation, Neumann's room correction alignment tool "Multichannel Extension for MA 1" was also used. After installing the MA 1 software on a Mac/Windows PC, acoustic measurements were taken at multiple listening points around the listening position, using the calibrated MA 1 microphone. Following the software's guided process, the initial setup of the KH series can easily be accomplished even without specialized acoustic knowledge, as Mr. Ueno attests to the tool's simplicity.

Regarding the effectiveness of the automatic adjustments made by MA 1, Mr. Ueno recalls, "The tightness and coherence of the sound improved remarkably after optimization."

Mr. Yudai Sekiguchi, a audio engineering student at TSM, experiences immersive audio with the Neumann sound system in his lectures every day. "Neumann was a brand I admired for its microphones. The monitor speakers also deliver the high sound quality I expected. The immersive audio experience with Neumann's system is overwhelming, like being in a movie theater or on a music stage. Many students, including myself, have experienced genuine immersive audio for the first time here. The DigiWave classroom can be reserved for independent production after school, and many students are already taking advantage of this opportunity."

Given the characteristics of the DigiWave classroom, there was a possibility that the Neumann speakers might need to be moved after installation. Mr. Umemura explains the measures taken for this: "Since this classroom is also used for stereo mixing lessons, we couldn't redesign everything solely for the immersive audio system. We also had to ensure a pathway for moving audio equipment in and out of the room at the back. After consulting with Mr. Ueno, we temporarily mounted the rear speakers on microphone stands that could be moved without detaching them. We marked the floor with pins to quickly return the speakers to their original positions. The initial setup was done meticulously to avoid the need for recalibrating with the MA 1 system unless there are significant changes to other equipment. Thanks to choosing Neumann speakers, we were able to implement a high-quality immersive audio system, even with the use of temporary stands in some areas."

Mr. Umemura shares how the TSM students feel about the immersive classroom. "Students aspiring to become composers and arrangers as well as those aiming to be engineers like Mr. Sekiguchi have shown great interest in creating immersive audio. After the system's introduction, we provided second-year students with opportunities to experience immersive audio during their recording practice classes. This year, we plan to invite guest lecturers for special classes on immersive audio. We are also considering developing a more comprehensive curriculum for learning immersive audio production starting next academic year."

Contributing to the entertainment industry

At TSM, there's a practical format class called "Pre-Production Seminar" where students from different majors collaborate to undertake commissioned music productions from record companies and other businesses. Mr. Umemura explains the aim of these classes: "At our school, we aim to cultivate talented individuals who can immediately contribute to the entertainment industry alongside professionals. Through the Pre-Production Seminar, students gain hands-on experience in working on commissioned music productions, allowing them to interact with professional artists and build a portfolio that will support their future careers. With the introduction of Neumann's sound system in our classrooms, we aim to nurture promising students and continue contributing to the advancement of the entertainment industry."

About Neumann
​Georg Neumann GmbH, known as “Neumann.Berlin”, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of studio-grade audio equipment and the creator of recording microphone legends such as the U 47, M 49, U 67, and U 87. Founded in 1928, the company has been recognized with numerous international awards for its technological innovations. Since 2010, Neumann.Berlin has expanded its expertise in electro-acoustic transducer design to also include the studio monitor market, building upon the legacy of the legendary loudspeaker innovator Klein + Hummel. The first Neumann studio headphones were introduced in 2019, and since 2022, the company has increased its focus on reference solutions for live audio. With the introduction of the first audio interface MT 48, and its revolutionary converter technology, Neumann now offers all the necessary technologies needed to capture and deliver sound at the highest level. Georg Neumann GmbH has been part of the Sennheiser Group since 1991 and is represented worldwide by the Sennheiser network of subsidiaries and long-standing trading partners. www.neumann.com