8MM

About the project
8MM Bar is a long-standing post-punk and krautrock venue in Berlin-Mitte. It has been running for more than two decades and is an established part of Berlin’s music scene.

Initial situation
Over the past ten years, there have been repeated noise complaints from neighbours, mainly because of the bass levels of the sound system. The old ventilation system and two small ventilation windows were also identified as sources of noise. Another problem was the strong reverberation inside the venue.

Measures

1. New ventilation system
The old ventilation system was replaced with a new ventilation and air-conditioning system. This means the windows can remain closed throughout the year. One of the problematic windows was replaced with a soundproof ventilation pipe, while the other was sealed.

2. Improving the room acoustics
Acoustic elements and bass traps were installed on the walls and ceiling. They significantly reduced reverberation and improved the sound quality inside the venue.

3. New sound system
A new sound system with level control was installed. A DSP controller and limiter make it possible to reduce problematic frequencies and keep the sound levels within set limits.

Result
Since the measures were implemented, there have been no formal complaints from neighbours and no police visits. The venue can now operate at lower music levels while providing a better sound experience.