Fox Networks Group Italia selects Genelec monitors for its first Dolby Atmos installation

The Studio Sound Service and Proaudio Construction teams worked closely with Genelec to create a compatible and flexible electroacoustic system at Fox Networks Group Italy.

Creating a multi-room post-production facility in the historic center of Rome is, at the best of times, a significant challenge. But when it must be built meeting the most recent standards of Dolby, the difficulty of completing the challenge increases exponentially.

Fortunately for the combined teams of Studio Sound Service y Proaudio Construction, who faced this situation in Fox Networks Group Italy, work closely with Genelec allowed them to create a compatible and flexible electroacoustic system, capable of facing any future evolution of the official standards of Dolby.

Francesca Bianco, CEO of Proaudio Construction, highlights that "we were asked to provide Fox with Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment 9.1.4 mixing rooms two years before the launch of the Dolby approval protocol. Located in the Palazzo Marignoli, Rione I Trevi, in the heart of Rome, the new Fox facilities had to be integrated into an open work environment. In the center of the room, in a soundproofed area of 180 m2, we had to installing four Atmos Home Entertainment 9.1.4 control rooms, as well as two recording rooms and two post-production rooms; and we only had 16 weeks to complete the job.”

Donato Masci y Cecilia Torracchi, from Studio Sound Service, designed the entire installation and supported the Proaudio Construction team through final configuration and Dolby Certification.

The design makes extensive use of The One three-way coaxial studio monitorss, from Genelec, with the flagship 8351 as an LCR solution, the more compact 8341 taking care of the surround and height channels, and the 7380 subwoofers reproducing spectacular bass. The systems were finally configured and calibrated in the four control rooms using Genelec's GLM software.

Donato Masci, acoustic designer and CEO of Studio Sound Service, acknowledges that "in my opinion, Genelec studio monitors are, practically always, the best choice, since they are the real reference in the audio industry. When a monitor has been designed for broadcast, it is absolutely essential that it offers a linear response, directivity and distortion are controlled, and provides an adequate SPL throughout the spectrum. And then we have the management of the entire system, which is not an easy task when you have 13 monitors. studio plus the subwoofer in an area of less than 20 m2. From this point of view, Genelec monitors are truly complete.”

The challenges

This facility had to face countless challenges, including the location of the facilities. With an area subject to tight access restrictions, all necessary materials had to be delivered overnight, to be later lifted to the roof of the Palazzo Marignoli for storage. On the other hand, the technical challenges focused on the acoustic treatment of the space and ensuring that Dolby specifications were scrupulously met.

Reflecting on the complex work carried out in this studio, Masci is clearly proud of the results: "the entire team of collaborators has worked hard and we have achieved success. The design is attractive and the environment is stimulating and creative. For me, it was my first experience in a Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment room and when I first saw and heard some immersive audio tracks, I was surprised by the dynamics and immersion of the sound. The control rooms look splendid in the photos, but when you are inside, you really get the feeling. of being outside of time and space.”

"This is the result we were looking to achieve with the interior design, lighting and acoustics; it had to be the basis for creating a 9.1.4 immersive audio system. Only by resetting the external environment, in every sense, are you able to appreciate a system with so many sound sources. I think this goal has been successfully achieved. Everyone is very satisfied with the results. The installation looks and sounds amazing. Dolby successfully approved it, and Fox is proud of it. However, the most important thing is that the sound designers are happy and comfortable,” concludes Bianco.