Blog

3 March 2025, LONDON, UK – The live event industry is set to transform with the launch of the HELA (Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance) Certification, the world’s first initiative aimed at promoting best practices for responsible sound management at live events. This groundbreaking resource, led by researchers within the Electro-Acoustics Research Lab (EARLab) at the University...

“A Subjective Comparison of Virtual Stereo Microphone Techniques for Rendering Ambisonics” by Anantha Girijavallabhanand and Bruce Wiggins explores how different stereo microphone techniques can be virtually extracted from Ambisonic recordings, comparing their effectiveness for stereo reproduction. This study is valuable for audio professionals and enthusiasts interested in 3D audio and immersive sound, offering insights into...

“Enhanced Sound Level Monitoring at Live Events by Measuring Audio Program Loudness” by Jonathan Digby and Adam Hill explores a novel approach to sound level management by applying broadcast industry loudness metering to live event audio. This research presents a logical shift from traditional peak normalization to loudness normalization, enabling front-of-house engineers to achieve consistent...

Matthew Russell, a graduate of our MSc Audio Engineering programme, has built a diverse and impressive career in the theatre industry. After gaining years of experience as a Lead Production Sound Engineer, Matthew’s time at Derby helped refine his expertise in audio theory, subwoofer placement, and line arrays. Although his career trajectory shifted slightly after...

Today we have “Sound Level Measurement, Monitoring and Management in Small Music Venues: Leq Averaging Time Interval” by Jos Mulder and Adam Hill in our paper spotlight. The paper addresses the critical issue of sound level management in live music environments, particularly focusing on the Leq time interval and its effects on dynamic range and...