Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Context

The Team

Indiana University’s Musical Arts Center Elevates Student Learning with Professional Sound System

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, is renowned as one of the world’s top music institutions and has long served as a beacon for music education. Its 1,460-seat Musical Arts Center (MAC), inspired by the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, has hosted countless performances. To maintain its reputation as a premier learning venue, the MAC recently upgraded its sound system, installing the cutting-edge L-Acoustics L-ISA Hyperreal Sound Technology. This advanced system enhances the performance experience and empowers students with hands-on training on technology that sets the industry standard for professional sound systems.

The Challenge

As an institution dedicated to producing graduates well-versed in industry-leading practices, the Jacobs School of Music faced the challenge of updating its sound system to meet modern standards. The MAC needed a solution that would offer immersive audio experiences and prepare students for a future in professional sound while also preserving the storied acoustics of the venue. Considering the significant financial and technical commitment, Indiana University evaluated various immersive systems to ensure a choice that would serve both current performances and educational needs for years to come.

The Solution

After a rigorous selection process, Indiana University chose the L-Acoustics L-ISA Hyperreal sound system, a technology designed to localize sound on stage, creating a hyperreal, 3D audio experience. Solotech, the installation partner, collaborated with project consultant Sound Associates to integrate this high-performance setup, which includes five L-Acoustics A15i arrays, eight KS21 subs, and fifteen 5XT front-fill speakers managed by an L-ISA Processor II. The installation was a meticulous, six-month endeavor designed to be ready for the new academic year and future-proof the MAC’s sound capabilities. The MAC now offers a space where students can learn on the same professional-grade systems used in major global venues.

The Result

Since the installation, the MAC has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Performances, including weekly jazz shows and operas, have captivated audiences with unparalleled sound clarity and depth. For students, this upgrade offers not just a world-class performance environment but a unique educational advantage: hands-on experience with professional sound technology that is rapidly becoming essential across the music and theater industries. As Associate Professor Michael Stucker shared, “The students have been engineering everything so far…they’re having all the fun.”

Project photos