Catch the amazing AFC technology in action in Melbourne

In August 2017, Yamaha Music Australia opened the Yamaha Premium Piano Centre, offering a purpose-built, exclusive location to audition the full range of Premium Pianos.

Due to the naturally short and dry acoustic of the building, a Yamaha AFC (“Active Field Control”) system was installed, transforming it into a lively and atmospheric performance space which can be instantly re-configured according to the requirements of any given event.

Normally available by appointment only, the Yamaha Premium Piano Centre will open its doors for a week of daily information and live AFC demonstration sessions. During the sessions, Yamaha’s Audio Technology Solutions team will be on-hand to explain AFC’s architecture, example applications and system design considerations.

Whilst being aimed at Consultants, Architects, System integrators, Facility Managers and Arts Faculties, anybody with an appreciation of music and technology is encouraged to attend these sessions. For visitors to this year’s Integrate Expo, the Yamaha Premium Piano Centre is a short, 10 minute walk away from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Please register your interest in attending one of the Yamaha AFC3 Open Week sessions below.

What is AFC?

Active Field Control is an acoustic enhancement system that is used to improve or enhance the architectural acoustic characteristics of a room and optimize reverberation while preserving that room's natural acoustic ‘signature’. Yamaha DSP technology enables us to realize this system with a small set of core devices. First implemented by Yamaha in 1985, Active Field Control (AFC) is an acoustic conditioning system designed to adjust and enhance the architectural acoustic characteristics of facilities such as performance arts venues, houses of worship, theatres and concert halls— while preserving that room's natural acoustic ‘signature’. Yamaha DSP technology enables us to realize this system with a small set of core devices.

With increasing pressure for facilities to become more multi-purpose and accommodate a wider range of applications AFC provides a cost-effective alternative to mechanical means of modifying room acoustics. A truly scalable solution which can be installed in a wide range of venues AFC3 makes it possible to hold classical concerts in a very large hall without a sound reinforcement system, to accommodate an organ in a small church, or to enhance crowd response in a stadium. Reverberation changes can be made at the push of a button, allowing the performance environment to be adjusted almost instantly. In addition AFC3 is able to deliver the same high-quality sonic experience to every performer and member of the audience.

Increasing the sound energy density can extend the reverberation time in a room. AFC utilizes the acoustical feedback of a system to increase the energy density of diffused sound. Reverberation time and sound energy density can be controlled with transparency while preserving the original acoustical characteristics of a room. This technique distinguishes AFC from other enhancement systems.

To learn more about AFC, visit the AFC3 web page.