A new sound study revealed crowd noise at FC Cincinnati can't be heard at Music Hall during performances. The noise issue has been an ongoing controversy for the past few months after a preliminary report found that noise from a typical game would be "readily audible by the audience and performers," and would interfere with performances and rehearsals in the Music Hall's Springer Auditorium.But the International acoustic consulting practice Arup, which was contracted by FC Cincinnati to review the new MLS soccer stadium crowd noise study, found that crowd noise will not have any detectable impact on the Music Hall visitor's experience in the Springer Auditorium. The study was produced by Akustiks, the Music Hall's acoustic consultant, officials said. Arup found background noise levels in Springer Auditorium during performances coming from visitors or the performance itself will be louder than any noise resulting from a soccer match.The sound study Music Hall conducted measured sound in a completely empty auditorium. When occupied with people, the background noise is louder than noise coming from a soccer match, Arup officials said. Even if sound could be heard within the Music Hall, there is an extremely low probability of overlap of peak crowd noise and a quiet pause during a concert at the Music Hall, officials said. "The Arup report is an important step in fulfilling our commitment to work with the Arts Organizations and Music Hall with respect to their concerns regarding sound during any matches that may occur at the same time as performances at Music Hall. Based on this report we believe sound conflicts can be mitigated effectively. We continue to work with representatives of Music Hall in an effort to address their concerns and fulfill our commitment to be a good neighbor," said Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager.FCC's stadium architect is considering options to alter the "stadium skin" design to further reduce sound, officials said.

A new sound study revealed crowd noise at FC Cincinnati can't be heard at Music Hall during performances.

The noise issue has been an ongoing controversy for the past few months after a preliminary report found that noise from a typical game would be "readily audible by the audience and performers," and would interfere with performances and rehearsals in the Music Hall's Springer Auditorium.


But the International acoustic consulting practice Arup, which was contracted by FC Cincinnati to review the new MLS soccer stadium crowd noise study, found that crowd noise will not have any detectable impact on the Music Hall visitor's experience in the Springer Auditorium.

The study was produced by Akustiks, the Music Hall's acoustic consultant, officials said.

Arup found background noise levels in Springer Auditorium during performances coming from visitors or the performance itself will be louder than any noise resulting from a soccer match.

The sound study Music Hall conducted measured sound in a completely empty auditorium.

When occupied with people, the background noise is louder than noise coming from a soccer match, Arup officials said.

Even if sound could be heard within the Music Hall, there is an extremely low probability of overlap of peak crowd noise and a quiet pause during a concert at the Music Hall, officials said.

"The Arup report is an important step in fulfilling our commitment to work with the Arts Organizations and Music Hall with respect to their concerns regarding sound during any matches that may occur at the same time as performances at Music Hall. Based on this report we believe sound conflicts can be mitigated effectively. We continue to work with representatives of Music Hall in an effort to address their concerns and fulfill our commitment to be a good neighbor," said Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager.

FCC's stadium architect is considering options to alter the "stadium skin" design to further reduce sound, officials said.