Ancient Acoustics & Ancient Sound Technology

Have you ever thought about the technology that keeps your favorite concert venues or playhouses running? Installing the acoustics and sound treatment needed to support live music and drama isn’t easy. To perfect their sound, modern performance theaters boast elaborate sound systems, employ acoustical engineers, and invest in the creation of ideal listening environments.

Ancient Acoustics vs Modern Acoustics

When you think about the plethora of resources involved in the development of today’s theaters, it’s difficult to believe ancient theaters were able to create similar conditions without any of the technology we have today. Yet ancient Roman and Greek theaters were thriving. They held frequent musical and dramatic performances for large audiences.

Have you ever wondered how these theaters of the past found success without modern sound treatment, speaker systems, or even microphones? (in the day and age before game-changing technologies, such as Mass Loaded Vinyl)

The architects behind ancient theaters used a number of ingenious tactics to develop suitable listening conditions, but three categories stand out.

• Strategically placing performance stadiums away from busy areas to avoid disruptions
• Ancient performers used special full-faced masks to amplify their voices throughout the venue
• Strategically seating the audience members so they could best hear the performers

Location of Noise Source to Avoid Disruptions

Location would have been one of the most important factors to consider when constructing an ancient theater. The building needed to be somewhere relatively rural, away from city noise. Builders often utilized hillsides, allowing nature to lift theaters out of loud areas.

If you’ve ever been to an open stadium or arena type venue for a concert, you’ll probably notice that this is no longer the case. Music and performance venues are typically located in busy downtown areas, or even right next to a residential area. In today’s day and age, which much larger population, it’s hard to find a location for a venue that’s easily accessible, but also out of the way of noise from nearby residents.

Masks for Sound Reinforcement

Without modern microphones to amplify their voices, actors had to speak very, very loudly. To carry their voices as far as possible, actors often wore masks complete with megaphone-style mouthpieces, which helped intensify the sound of their voices. These ancient masks were known as the mask of kenosis, and was worn over the entire head by performers.

Today, performers are always using microphone when performing in large venues, otherwise no one would be able to hear them. There are so many microphone options today than anyone back then could have imagined – some are different shaped and some pick up sound from specific directions. Even instruments such as guitars, drums and pianos can be plugged into amplifiers so they can be heard throughout a venue.

Ideal Seating for Acoustic Performance

In order to ensure audiences could both see and hear the performance, seating needed to be arranged very carefully. Semi-circular layouts were ideal for keeping audience members close to the stage where they could hear best, while a stacked, step-like arrangement created better site lines.

You might notice a similar layout in auditorium style classrooms; students sit in a semi-circle in rows, with each row higher than the last, so everyone has good line-of-sight to the speaker. This is done on purpose, because usually if someone is speaking in your direction without any obstacles, you’re more likely to be able to heat and understand them.

Modern day stadiums and arenas are also set up the same way (you may have heard the term “stadium seating” before). Whenever singers hold concerts in these types of venues, event organizers will typically have audience members in one half of a circular arena facing the performer, rather than seating people all the way around.

Ancient Acoustics & Ancient Acoustic Technology

Looking back on ancient acoustics shows us how far we’ve come in the advancement of sound technology. However, modern-day theaters can still find sound inspiration by studying their ancient ancestors.

Know any other interesting facts about ancient acoustics? Share them with the Commercial Acoustics community in the comments below!