SARC is home to the world famous Sonic Laboratory.  Often remarked as a 'cinema for the ear'.  The Sonic Lab is a specialist acoustic space designed to provide a unique and exciting listening experience, in fact, the auditory equivalent of an IMAX cinema. Forty-eight loudspeakers, strategically located, will project and move sounds throughout the space, including underneath the audience. No other auditorium for sonic art performance and experimentation currently exists with this revolutionary feature. The provision of this facility gives Northern Ireland a unique and pioneering role in a rapidly developing field.

This facility enables research teams to develop and implement cutting edge initiatives in the creation and delivery of music and audio. 

The Sonic Laboratory's uniqueness is vested in the degree of flexibility it can provide for experiments in sound diffusion (the relaying of sounds through a large complex of loudspeakers) and for ground-breaking compositional and performance work within a purpose-built, variable acoustic space. 

The configuration of the space has been recently upgraded to allow the mixing and playback of Dolby ATMOS surround sound mixes; used in film, music and virtual reality.  

As an engineering research facility, the Sonic Laboratory will provide unparalleled opportunities to develop and test new ideas relating to loudspeaker design, loudspeaker placement, music perception, music interaction, delivery and diffusion. 

Please note if visiting the Sonic Lab:

	The ground level is a metal grid that allows sound to come from the basement level.  It is therefore advised not to wear heels.
	Food and drink is not permitted in the lab

View the specifications of the Sonic Laboratory

Sonic Lab Specifications

Studios at SARC include multi-channel and stereo facilities with high quality monitoring loudspeakers.  The studios are used for a wide variety of applications including the recording of pop and classical music, electronic music production, Dolby Atmos spatialisation, VR audio, sound design and post production for screen, and mixing for radio and television broadcast.  

View all Studios >

This facility is made up of a TV studio, with adjacent video and audio control rooms.  The studio is equipped with a Blackmagic ATEM live broadcast system including 4k cameras, live streaming converters, talkback system, and LED lighting rig.  

The audio control room is equipped with a Studer OnAir 1500 radio broadcast desk.  This console can be used for small scale discussion programmes, or can be connected directly to the Sonic Laboratory (via Dante) for the broadcast of large scale events.  

The Interaction Lab is a multi use space that is used primarily by students and staff for installations, experimentation and cross-disciplinary research.  The room is equipped with motion capture cameras, AV projection, a Behringer x32 digital desk, portable lighting, and 8 Adam loudspeakers.  

A permanent dance floor is installed inside this space.

With a splendid hammer-beam vaulted roof and warm acoustic, the Harty Room (seating 120) is situated within the Music building where the regular lunchtime recitals and evening concerts take place.  It is also the main rehearsal space for choirs and orchestras at Queen's.

It houses two full-concert Steinway grand pianos, a double-manual harpsichord, fortepiano, chamber organ and many percussion instruments.

The Harty Room is also equipped with a large projector screen and audio PA system suitable for events such as concerts and seminars.