Sound Wizard, the early days

Six months ago Didier Weiss entered the Indian market with his architectural acoustic design company.

Acoustic design consists in calculating and profiling a specific architectural design most suited for a specific acoustical purpose. The work is primarily undertaken for film and music sound recording studios but also for concert halls, auditoriums, and home theaters.

Didier had his own sound recording studio for ten years in France before coming out to Auroville. He decided to add acoustic design to his knowledge and undertake new research in the field. “One is always learning something new as the technology becomes more and more refined and precise”, he observes. Having mastered computer simulations and calculations, Didier proceeded to build the recording studio for Auroville’s unit “Sunshine Music,” and then became involved with the acoustics of the Sri Aurobindo Auditorium in Bharat Nivas. It was the beginning of Sound Wizard, a unit under the Auroville Foundation. The objective is to work outside Auroville as well, as India has a vast array of sound recording studios due to the film industry.

A team formed naturally as acoustic design cannot be undertaken without a component of architectural expertise. Sound Wizard often offers a package, together with François of Auroville’s unit “Capability” who takes up the architecture and construction side. Claudine specializes in 3D rendering for presentation to the client and acoustic simulations. Nathalie is in charge of interior design and three ladies from Pondicherry are the technical/logistics wizards...

"As far as architecture goes", says Didier, "there is something that may surprise Westerners: Indians have their own architectural tradition called Vaastu which parallels the Chinese Feng-Shui. That is why we need in our team people who know India well, and who are open to the principles of this tradition. Without this element it would be impossible to establish a good working rapport with clients". The human dimension is a priority for Cecilia and Didier. “Working in India involves working from the heart. The contact and connections are made in a very different way than in the West. The projects are undertaken with people who have a life outside of their particular profession, a spiritual life that is frequently connected to art. There is no hesitation to open that part of their personality, and the resulting individual contacts are very rich", remarks Cecilia.

While Didier is occupied with the design aspects, Cecilia “my guardian angel”, says Didier, takes responsibility for all the administrative work and the liaison with the other members of the team, and conducts meticulous follow-up work. She also takes on the PR work as once a project is launched each member of the team starts working in his or her domain. At present Sound Wizard is involved in a number of projects in Chennai mostly.

To keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the fast evolving field of acoustic design, it is extremely important to maintain outside connections, which sometimes entails traveling the world over, seeking out new equipment and scientific information. Didier will be going to Bombay in September to deliver a talk at an international conference of audio professionals. Given their enthusiasm and energy one can only wish Sound Wizard  many wonderful projects ahead.

- Courtesy Auroville Today -