About Sound Manor 360
Sound Manor 360 is a new cultural space for playback and sound listening experiences, which includes the first ambisonic or surround sound concert hall in Latvia.
Technically fully equipped with a stationary multi-channel sound system. A cultural space where sound artists, composers and interested parties can engage in research into the properties of sound and conduct audio experiments using a 360-degree surround sound system consisting of seventeen speakers at a height of three levels.
An acoustically friendly space for sound, where artists, composers and interested parties will be able not only to perform or listen to concerts, but also to rent these spaces for Ambisonic sound training and practice. Use as a place for creative master classes, lectures and other cultural and educational events.
History
Historically, this place was called BACKHAUSEN'S MANOR
Bachhausen was separated as a separate unit from Ropaži Castle Manor around 1890, when it was inherited by his son James, Baron von Wolf, after the death of his father, Baron Victor von Wolf (1921-1889).
Along with extensive construction work throughout the Ropaži manor and the construction of the new church, the development of the Bakhausene farm also began. In some sources, it appears, along with the neighboring Arne (also Mežarne) semi-manors, as a forestry and hunting farm, although its tenant and later owner, Eižens Folkmanis (Eugen Ferdinand Volkmann (1841-1914)), first of all came to Ropaži as a host with his glass factories in Allaži, Augšciems and Kangari. It is believed that the Folkmanis were also interested in leasing a large forest estate because of their core business – glass production – which requires a lot of charcoal.
Over time, the manor has changed owners several times. The ravages of time had already taken a toll on it, until in 2019, literally at the last moment - vandalized, littered, without electricity and without communications, but with its special aura and cry for help - to be reborn - the manor met its new owners, and now a new cultural space "Skaņu muiža 360" is being built here.
Future
In the future, it is planned as a permanent international residency for composers and musicians, a surround sound concert hall, as well as a cultural tourism destination for the wider public, where there will be an opportunity to explore surround sound in an innovative way and gain a new listening experience.
Ambisonic or spatial sound is a very innovative form of music in the world, which is still little known to consumers in Latvia, for now mostly known only among music professionals. The widest demand for the use of such sound is in the film industry, audiovisual art, video and virtual reality environments. These are sectors where such ambisonic sound is already becoming an industry quality standard.
Over time, it is planned to also renovate the adjacent additional building for work with sound recordings and professional sound editing.
We invite you to visit
Ambisonic (spatial) sound system demonstration sessions
Experience a new, next-generation music playback and listening experience at SOUND MANOR 360
This summer, for the first time, the owners of the manor are inviting guests to apply to attend group surround sound demonstration sessions. Experience the immersive magic of surround sound by hearing it with your own ears, both in educational stories and informative narrations.