Live Sound Theater Bass

Hello everyone, This is my first time posting on the Forum. I'm a live sound engineer in Cincinnati, OH. My house gig is at a beautiful art deco 500 person capacity theater. Once a movie theater and now a live music and mixed programing venue. The acoustics of the venue was obviously a consideration with the design nd contraction. No right angles, many curved surfaces and a gradually increasing ceiling headed up to the balcony (and old projection rooms). My main issue is in concern to bass. Especially in the 80-160 region. This venue hosts many national touring acts and stag volume is always a battle. Yet when bass amplifiers on the stage turn up, I lose. The current stage has been built in front of the cavity where the screen used to cover up and reside. This space is covered by a curtain now. My first thought is to use that dead space to build in some sort of trapping. Before getting into the can of worms, I'm wondering if it is even possible to "treat" such a space and if so, how to calculate the required trapping to reduce the bass build up. Thank you in advance for any guidance and help! nicholas

Hi Nicholas, and welcome! :) Could you be a bit more specific about what the issue is? I mean, what is the problem that you are hearing when they turn up the bass on stage? Is it some type of resonance, or reverb? Is it across the board or at specific frequencies? Also, a sketch of the venue and/or photos of the problematic area would help. And so would an acoustic analysis. Maybe try using REW to do an analysis of the space, and see what you come up with. - Stuart -

Thank you for the quick reply and help. I will measure the space as soon as I can. I would like to know how acoustic treatment is accomplished with commercial property (like live music venues)? I would assume there are codes to follow and safety practices (suspending panels to treat ceiling, etc..). (Great White comes to mind...). Does this have to be installed by certified acousticians? I've always wanted to treat the spaces I mix in, but afraid to do anything more than throwing a few acoustic blankets over some mic stands to reduce rear guitar amp energy. Thanks for any help...always learning! nicholas