Since launching the CEDIA/CTA RP22 Immersive Audio System Design Recommended Practice in September 2023, CEDIA has been hosting a number of training courses to provide integrators with an in-depth understanding of what this new document means to them.
The RP22 Immersive Audio System Design Recommended Practice emerged as a result of close collaboration between approximately 40 global experts over 3,000 volunteer hours. This collective effort was subjected to rigorous peer review and developed under ANSI guidelines.
The main objective of RP22 revolves around achieving measurable outcomes through design. When RP22 is implemented, it ensures that the user understands their investment, the integrator delivers as expected, and the manufacturer's product excels in its intended design. Crucially, RP22 remains product and format agnostic, concentrating solely on defining objective performance targets for audio systems and room design across private entertainment spaces.
Introducing the RP22 Workshop
With over 3,000 downloads of the document within the first few weeks of release, the industry was excited by RP22 and there was a desire from integrators to learn more about it.
CEDIA worked with Peter Aylett, a renowned industry veteran and Partner at Officina Acustica, and CTA/CEDIA R10 Standards Committee Chair, to develop a two-day workshop that provides hands-on training in applying these standards to real-world projects.
CEDIA has hosted a number of training sessions globally since the launch, with them selling out in record speed.
“I had a really good two days with the CEDIA team learning about RP22,” said Richard Coleman, Luxx Home Cinema. “The document came out around about six weeks ago. I did have a read of it, but there were quite a few calculations that I wasn't quite sure about and it's great to be here with Peter who is chairing the whole procedure to walk us through all the different calculations. It's really going to impact our designs going forward, so I would thoroughly recommend the course to any other CEDIA members.”
The RP22 session is centered around the introduction of groundbreaking guidelines outlined in the CEDIA/CTA RP22 Immersive Audio System Design Recommended Practice. During the session, Peter delves into the four newly defined levels of performance that distinctly delineate various immersive experiences.
Adopting a "teach, then do" approach, the workshop provides a truly immersive experience.
Participants, all adept cinema designers with a strong foundation in performance engineering, engage in small group activities. These exercises aim to apply the RP22 guidelines to real-world scenarios.
“The RP22 course has been an absolutely amazing. In terms of what we thought we knew about cinema design and putting all these recommended practices in place, I feel like it’s going to take the design to a new level and will mean that everybody is working towards the same results,” said Ben Pratt, B Electrical. “For me as someone new coming into the industry, it is key to make sure that I am working with and amongst the best of the best so that I can produce projects that are of the same level. If you haven't thought about it and you design cinemas, you definitely need to get involved.”
The RP22 Immersive Audio Design Course is a testament to industry collaboration and commitment to defining and implementing objective engineering practices in private entertainment space design. The shared knowledge and experiences promise to elevate the future of immersive audio experiences in the region.
“It’s been an eye-opening course and I’ve learnt a hell of a lot from it”, added James Brown, The Cinema Company. “It is by no means a course for people who don’t know anything about cinema. It’s taking cinema to the next level and if you really want to know in-depth about immersive audio, then this course is an absolute must.”
Continuing the momentum generated by the RP22 Immersive Audio Design Course, CEDIA plans to host more workshops in 2024. Stay up to date at cedia.org/events.
The RP22 Immersive Audio System Design Recommended Practice is available to download for free at https://cedia.org/advocacy/standards-best-practices/immersive-audio-design-excellence/.