Music is learned by listening. To be effective, rehearsal rooms, practice rooms and performance areas must provide an environment designed to support musical sound. It's no surprise then that the most common questions we hear and the most frustrating problems we see have to do with acoustics.
All music educators recognize that supportive acoustical environments are critical to a successful performance. Performance spaces range from concert halls to large lobbies, from multi-use gymnasiums and cafetoriums to the outdoors. Whether you are fortunate enough to have an auditorium, or are rounding up stray basketballs before your rehearsal, chances are you have to perform in spaces that are less
than ideal. Wenger has developed this guide to show you options that will make these spaces more musically supportive.
1. The Boston Symphony Hall was designed by McKim, Mead & White to be the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was designed using scientific acoustic principles and has near perfect acoustics for orchestral performances.
2. The Wiener Musikverein in Vienna was designed by Theophil Hansen and opened in 1870. It has excellent acoustics due its plasterwork, balconies, and use of materials like glass, steel, wood and stone which help control sound.
3. The Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall was designed to have even sound distribution throughout the hall, aided by its pyramidal vaulted ceiling and wooden interior. Its design focused on the acoustic experience through its shapes and materials
The document discusses acoustics in theatre design. It describes different types of theatre stages including proscenium, thrust, and arena stages. It explains considerations for audience comfort including physical comfort from seating and ability to see/hear, as well as social comfort from the theatre's location. Sound waves can be absorbed or reflected by different construction materials and designs. A case study of the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh is provided which was designed based on acoustics, sightlines, and stage size in relation to the auditorium. Its acoustic design uses a canopy and wall surfaces lined with earthenware pots to absorb and reflect sound.
The document discusses the design considerations for auditoriums and recording studios. It addresses factors like room shape, size, absorption, diffusion, and reverberation time that impact acoustics. For auditoriums, a sloped floor and splayed walls can improve speech intelligibility. Absorption is placed in seating areas while keeping the stage reflective. Recording studios require low ambient noise and optimal reverberation. Room dimensions impact resonant modes so larger, irregularly-shaped rooms are preferred.
1. Sound is the result of shifting air pressure over time and travels in the form of longitudinal waves through air. Acoustics is the science of sound and how it affects our lives through communication, music, and other applications.
2. A recording studio consists of a live room for performances, isolation booths for loud instruments, and a control room for equipment. Additional rooms include dead rooms which have little reverberation for clear vocal recordings.
3. Studio design aims to control sound through soundproofing techniques. Walls have patterns to absorb sound and prevent leakage. Reverberation and unwanted noise are also issues that studio design and equipment aim to mitigate for high quality recordings.
This document provides an introduction to recording studios, including a brief history. It discusses influential early studios like Columbia 30th Street Studios in NYC and Motown Studio A, known for their distinctive sounds due to room characteristics. It also describes the facilities at ATRiUM Studios, including 8 control rooms and live rooms offering different acoustic properties. The standard studio layout is explained, including the signal flow from recording to monitoring. Finally, common audio engineering terminology is defined, such as microphones, DI boxes, mixing desks, and monitors.
The Berliner Philharmonie introduced a new concept of seating organization focused on social equality, with audience seating surrounding a central stage. Designed by Hans Scharoun in 1963 to replace the previous hall destroyed in WWII, it has an asymmetrical golden tent-like shape and is renowned for its acoustic qualities. Several design elements like the seating blocks, suspended panels above the stage, and absorptive ceiling units help diffuse the sound to create a balanced experience throughout the space. The hall's unconventional design and emphasis on equality have made it an influential precedent for concert hall design worldwide.
All music educators recognize that supportive acoustical environments are critical to a successful performance. Performance spaces range from concert halls to large lobbies, from multi-use gymnasiums and cafetoriums to the outdoors. Whether you are fortunate enough to have an auditorium, or are rounding up stray basketballs before your rehearsal, chances are you have to perform in spaces that are less
than ideal. Wenger has developed this guide to show you options that will make these spaces more musically supportive.
1. The Boston Symphony Hall was designed by McKim, Mead & White to be the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was designed using scientific acoustic principles and has near perfect acoustics for orchestral performances.
2. The Wiener Musikverein in Vienna was designed by Theophil Hansen and opened in 1870. It has excellent acoustics due its plasterwork, balconies, and use of materials like glass, steel, wood and stone which help control sound.
3. The Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall was designed to have even sound distribution throughout the hall, aided by its pyramidal vaulted ceiling and wooden interior. Its design focused on the acoustic experience through its shapes and materials
The document discusses acoustics in theatre design. It describes different types of theatre stages including proscenium, thrust, and arena stages. It explains considerations for audience comfort including physical comfort from seating and ability to see/hear, as well as social comfort from the theatre's location. Sound waves can be absorbed or reflected by different construction materials and designs. A case study of the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh is provided which was designed based on acoustics, sightlines, and stage size in relation to the auditorium. Its acoustic design uses a canopy and wall surfaces lined with earthenware pots to absorb and reflect sound.
The document discusses the design considerations for auditoriums and recording studios. It addresses factors like room shape, size, absorption, diffusion, and reverberation time that impact acoustics. For auditoriums, a sloped floor and splayed walls can improve speech intelligibility. Absorption is placed in seating areas while keeping the stage reflective. Recording studios require low ambient noise and optimal reverberation. Room dimensions impact resonant modes so larger, irregularly-shaped rooms are preferred.
1. Sound is the result of shifting air pressure over time and travels in the form of longitudinal waves through air. Acoustics is the science of sound and how it affects our lives through communication, music, and other applications.
2. A recording studio consists of a live room for performances, isolation booths for loud instruments, and a control room for equipment. Additional rooms include dead rooms which have little reverberation for clear vocal recordings.
3. Studio design aims to control sound through soundproofing techniques. Walls have patterns to absorb sound and prevent leakage. Reverberation and unwanted noise are also issues that studio design and equipment aim to mitigate for high quality recordings.
This document provides an introduction to recording studios, including a brief history. It discusses influential early studios like Columbia 30th Street Studios in NYC and Motown Studio A, known for their distinctive sounds due to room characteristics. It also describes the facilities at ATRiUM Studios, including 8 control rooms and live rooms offering different acoustic properties. The standard studio layout is explained, including the signal flow from recording to monitoring. Finally, common audio engineering terminology is defined, such as microphones, DI boxes, mixing desks, and monitors.
The Berliner Philharmonie introduced a new concept of seating organization focused on social equality, with audience seating surrounding a central stage. Designed by Hans Scharoun in 1963 to replace the previous hall destroyed in WWII, it has an asymmetrical golden tent-like shape and is renowned for its acoustic qualities. Several design elements like the seating blocks, suspended panels above the stage, and absorptive ceiling units help diffuse the sound to create a balanced experience throughout the space. The hall's unconventional design and emphasis on equality have made it an influential precedent for concert hall design worldwide.
This document discusses sight lines and their importance in architectural design. It provides context on sight lines for theater and stadium design, noting that clear sight lines allow spectators to see all areas of the stage or field. It also discusses factors like seating arrangement, viewing angles, and the use of the C-value equation to determine required step heights while maintaining clear sight lines. Maintaining good sight lines is important for audience experience and enjoyment of a performance.
Sound is a pressure wave that travels through air or other mediums and is perceived by humans and animals as hearing. It is produced when a medium such as air is set into vibration. Acoustics is the science of sound, including how it is transmitted and perceived. Recording studio acoustics aim to control the room environment to accurately capture sound without unwanted reverberation or leakage. Key aspects of studio design include soundproof live rooms, isolation booths, and absorbing surfaces and patterns on walls. Outdoor acoustic considerations include reducing wind noise, unwanted ambient noise, and ensuring the background atmosphere matches the intended recording.
B science 2 PROJECT 1 shantanand auditorium(1)ShiLikHong
This document provides a case study analysis of the acoustic design of the Shantanand Auditorium located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It includes an introduction to the auditorium, literature review on acoustics topics, acoustic design analysis of the auditorium, calculations, and design suggestions. The analysis examines the auditorium's shape, seating arrangement, leveling of seats, sound reinforcement system, sound propagation, and use of materials to control sound reflection, diffusion, and noise intrusion. Suggestions are made to improve acoustic qualities such as creating a buffer zone and using different materials.
Royal Concertgebouw - Adolf Leonard (Dolf) van GendCityLabSarasota
The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is one of the most successful concert halls in the world. Constructed in the late 1880s, it attracts over 700,000 visitors annually with its 900 events, 80% of which are concerts. The hall's rectangular shape and architectural elements like its stage, ceiling height, seating, and balcony create excellent acoustics that enhance musical performances. Recent renovations have maintained the hall's classical aesthetic while improving its acoustic qualities to keep it a premier musical venue.
The document discusses indoor and outdoor acoustics for recording interviews. For the indoor interview, the corridor was not soundproofed and had interference, resulting in poor audio quality that required editing. A treated room or use of soundproofing would have been better. Outdoors, a busy road caused noise interference that the microphone picked up. When recording outside, ambient noise must be considered and a location away from roads or interference sources is important.
The document provides requirements and space needs for different areas of a resort facility. It includes minimum space requirements for public spaces like the reception area, conference rooms, and dining areas. It also outlines minimum space needs for accommodation units like deluxe suites and family cottages. Additionally, it provides specifications for recreational facilities like an indoor games area, spa, gymnasium and swimming pool. It concludes with a area analysis indicating the total site area is 32 acres and proposed land usage allocation for buildings, parking, outdoor recreational spaces and landscaping.
This document summarizes and compares indoor and outdoor recordings using a Zoom H2 microphone. For indoor recordings, voices are clearer as they are closer to the microphone, but there are still background noises from doors and footsteps. Outdoor recordings capture more ambient sounds at different frequencies, from rustling trees to passing cars. Both locations present challenges, as indoor recordings contain interfering sounds and outdoor recordings pick up uncontrollable wind noise. Equipment improvements like additional microphones, stands, and windshields could enhance sound quality for different recording needs.
The document discusses the six elements of a mix according to author Bob Owsinski: balance, frequency range, panorama, dynamics, dimension, and interest. It provides details on each element, including how to achieve proper balance between elements, place instruments in the stereo field through panning, manage the frequency spectrum, use compression and gating to control dynamics, add ambience through reverb and other effects to provide dimension, and ways to make the mix more interesting through automation, muting, and other techniques.
The document provides an analysis of the acoustic design of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church auditorium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. It discusses the fan-shaped auditorium layout, materials used, and acoustic treatments. Measurements of sound intensity levels, attenuation, and propagation were taken using equipment like a sound level meter. While the fan shape improves audience-speaker intimacy, the 150-degree arrangement exceeds recommended limits. The document also notes issues with same-level seating affecting sound distribution. The analysis aims to understand the auditorium's acoustic performance and relationships between design, materials, and acoustics.
The document discusses various aspects of indoor and outdoor acoustics. It covers topics like sound principles, studio acoustics, live rooms, dead rooms, surface types, reverberation, soundproofing, sound bites, presence, unwanted noise, noise gates, and unwanted ambience. It provides information on how sound behaves in different environments and what techniques are used to control sounds.
Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre - Jean NouvelCityLabSarasota
The Congress and Culture Centre in Lucerne, Switzerland was designed by Jean Nouvel. It represents three ships docked under a huge roof and is made up of a concert hall, conference rooms, and a museum. Notable features include its alignment with the local environment, one of the best concert halls in the world for acoustics, and a box-shaped hall with 1900 seats across five levels that meets high acoustic standards. During intermissions, the roof terrace offers panoramic views of the city, lake, and mountains.
Visit https://alexisbaskind.net/teaching for a full interactive version of this course with sound and video material, as well as more courses and material.
Course series: Fundamentals of acoustics for sound engineers and music producers
Level: undergraduate (Bachelor)
Language: English
Revision: January 2020
To cite this course: Alexis Baskind, Psychoacoustics 1 – The ear, course material, license: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Course content
1.What is psychoacoustics?
Psychophysics and psychoacoustics - Physical and perceptual attributes - Why is psychoacoustics important for music production?
2.The physiology of the ear
Inner ear, middle ear, outer ear - Inner hair cells - Corti organ
3.Hearing damages
Ear fatigue - ear damages
Reproducing Personal Sound Zones Using a Hybrid Synthesis of Dynamic and Para...Jacob Donley
This presentation overviews a proposed hybrid approach to personal sound zones utilising multizone soundfield reproduction techniques and parametric loudspeakers. Crossover filters are designed, to switch between reproduction methods, through analytical analysis of aliasing artifacts in multizone reproductions. By realising the designed crossover filters, wideband acoustic contrast between zones is significantly improved. The trade-off between acoustic contrast and the bandwidth of the reproduced soundfield is investigated. Results show that by incorporating the proposed hybrid model the whole wideband bandwidth is spatial-aliasing free with a mean acoustic contrast consistently above 54.2dB, an improvement of up to 24.2dB from a non-hybrid approach, with as few as 16 dynamic loudspeakers and one parametric loudspeaker.
This document provides an overview of time-based audio effects. It defines effects as ambient fields that dimension tracks. Common effects like reverb, delay, chorus, flanging and phasing are explained. Reverb is broken down into direct signal, early reflections and reverberation. Delay times are discussed in musical note values relative to tempo. Examples are given of classic songs that feature effects along with the specific effects used. The document also discusses how effects are applied using auxiliary sends and returns on mixing consoles and hardware effects units.
Seminar delivered by Pat Smith of SLF Group at the 2014 Worship Conversation put on by Big Church Day Out.
Check out Musicademy and SFL's new DVD release Sound Tech and PA Training for Churches http://www.musicademy.com/2014/06/new-dvds-sound-tech-pa-training-churches/
Sign up here for over 40 free lessons from Musicademy http://bit.ly/12S4iPP
The Nexus International School Theatre located in Putrajaya, Malaysia was constructed in 2008 and seats 580 people. It uses various acoustic treatments like carpeting, drapery, cork and rock wool panels, and a sloped floor and ceiling reflectors to control reverberation. Based on measurements, the theatre's reverberation time of 0.92 seconds makes it suitable for speech but less so for music performances. Recommendations include reducing absorbent materials, maintaining equipment to reduce noise, and replacing aging acoustic panels.
Why are sound systems so challenging in churches?Musicademy
Seminar notes from Musicademy training day with content by SFL Ltd on church sound systems
Sign up here for over 40 free lessons from Musicademy including one from our Sound Tech Training DVD
http://bit.ly/12S4iPP
This document discusses various audio engineering services including improving live recordings, editing audio, mixing, mastering, and converting formats like vinyl to digital. Services include removing noise, standardizing volume, improving stereo imaging, removing unwanted audio, improving ambience and acoustics. Custom services like creating CDs from recordings and setting up an online store are also mentioned. Contact information is provided at the end.
- The document discusses the acoustical features and materials used in a cinema hall, including a case study of Fun Cinemas in Bhopal, MP.
- It describes the evolution of cinemas from grand opera houses to modern movie theaters. Wall treatments like carpeting, acoustic panels, and stretch fabric are discussed.
- Suspended acoustic ceilings are important for sound absorption and insulation. Acoustic ceiling tiles made from terracotta are highlighted.
- The cinema hall's trapezoidal shape and avoidance of parallel walls helps reduce echoes. Floating acoustic floors and theater seating arrangements are also covered.
This document discusses the acoustics of the Bentley Music Auditorium located in Mutiara Damansara, Malaysia. It begins with background on the history and drawings of the auditorium. It then analyzes various acoustic elements used in the auditorium, including sound diffuser panels, sound reflector panels, sound absorber panels, carpet flooring, and fabric curtains. It discusses the sound source and placement, sound reflection, diffusion, absorption properties of the auditorium, and analyzes direct and indirect sound paths. In conclusion, it examines the auditorium's acoustics and whether it achieves ideal properties based on the analysis conducted.
The document discusses the acoustical elements and design of Bentley Music Auditorium. It describes the various sound diffuser, reflector, and absorber panels used throughout the auditorium to control sound propagation. These include random pattern wood lath diffusers on the side walls, large reflective panels on the ceiling, and fiberglass absorber panels. Carpet flooring and heavy fabric curtains are also used for their sound absorbing properties. The document further examines the central loudspeaker sound system used for amplification and discusses how the various acoustical treatments work together to enhance the auditorium experience.
This document discusses sight lines and their importance in architectural design. It provides context on sight lines for theater and stadium design, noting that clear sight lines allow spectators to see all areas of the stage or field. It also discusses factors like seating arrangement, viewing angles, and the use of the C-value equation to determine required step heights while maintaining clear sight lines. Maintaining good sight lines is important for audience experience and enjoyment of a performance.
Sound is a pressure wave that travels through air or other mediums and is perceived by humans and animals as hearing. It is produced when a medium such as air is set into vibration. Acoustics is the science of sound, including how it is transmitted and perceived. Recording studio acoustics aim to control the room environment to accurately capture sound without unwanted reverberation or leakage. Key aspects of studio design include soundproof live rooms, isolation booths, and absorbing surfaces and patterns on walls. Outdoor acoustic considerations include reducing wind noise, unwanted ambient noise, and ensuring the background atmosphere matches the intended recording.
B science 2 PROJECT 1 shantanand auditorium(1)ShiLikHong
This document provides a case study analysis of the acoustic design of the Shantanand Auditorium located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It includes an introduction to the auditorium, literature review on acoustics topics, acoustic design analysis of the auditorium, calculations, and design suggestions. The analysis examines the auditorium's shape, seating arrangement, leveling of seats, sound reinforcement system, sound propagation, and use of materials to control sound reflection, diffusion, and noise intrusion. Suggestions are made to improve acoustic qualities such as creating a buffer zone and using different materials.
Royal Concertgebouw - Adolf Leonard (Dolf) van GendCityLabSarasota
The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is one of the most successful concert halls in the world. Constructed in the late 1880s, it attracts over 700,000 visitors annually with its 900 events, 80% of which are concerts. The hall's rectangular shape and architectural elements like its stage, ceiling height, seating, and balcony create excellent acoustics that enhance musical performances. Recent renovations have maintained the hall's classical aesthetic while improving its acoustic qualities to keep it a premier musical venue.
The document discusses indoor and outdoor acoustics for recording interviews. For the indoor interview, the corridor was not soundproofed and had interference, resulting in poor audio quality that required editing. A treated room or use of soundproofing would have been better. Outdoors, a busy road caused noise interference that the microphone picked up. When recording outside, ambient noise must be considered and a location away from roads or interference sources is important.
The document provides requirements and space needs for different areas of a resort facility. It includes minimum space requirements for public spaces like the reception area, conference rooms, and dining areas. It also outlines minimum space needs for accommodation units like deluxe suites and family cottages. Additionally, it provides specifications for recreational facilities like an indoor games area, spa, gymnasium and swimming pool. It concludes with a area analysis indicating the total site area is 32 acres and proposed land usage allocation for buildings, parking, outdoor recreational spaces and landscaping.
This document summarizes and compares indoor and outdoor recordings using a Zoom H2 microphone. For indoor recordings, voices are clearer as they are closer to the microphone, but there are still background noises from doors and footsteps. Outdoor recordings capture more ambient sounds at different frequencies, from rustling trees to passing cars. Both locations present challenges, as indoor recordings contain interfering sounds and outdoor recordings pick up uncontrollable wind noise. Equipment improvements like additional microphones, stands, and windshields could enhance sound quality for different recording needs.
The document discusses the six elements of a mix according to author Bob Owsinski: balance, frequency range, panorama, dynamics, dimension, and interest. It provides details on each element, including how to achieve proper balance between elements, place instruments in the stereo field through panning, manage the frequency spectrum, use compression and gating to control dynamics, add ambience through reverb and other effects to provide dimension, and ways to make the mix more interesting through automation, muting, and other techniques.
The document provides an analysis of the acoustic design of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church auditorium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. It discusses the fan-shaped auditorium layout, materials used, and acoustic treatments. Measurements of sound intensity levels, attenuation, and propagation were taken using equipment like a sound level meter. While the fan shape improves audience-speaker intimacy, the 150-degree arrangement exceeds recommended limits. The document also notes issues with same-level seating affecting sound distribution. The analysis aims to understand the auditorium's acoustic performance and relationships between design, materials, and acoustics.
The document discusses various aspects of indoor and outdoor acoustics. It covers topics like sound principles, studio acoustics, live rooms, dead rooms, surface types, reverberation, soundproofing, sound bites, presence, unwanted noise, noise gates, and unwanted ambience. It provides information on how sound behaves in different environments and what techniques are used to control sounds.
Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre - Jean NouvelCityLabSarasota
The Congress and Culture Centre in Lucerne, Switzerland was designed by Jean Nouvel. It represents three ships docked under a huge roof and is made up of a concert hall, conference rooms, and a museum. Notable features include its alignment with the local environment, one of the best concert halls in the world for acoustics, and a box-shaped hall with 1900 seats across five levels that meets high acoustic standards. During intermissions, the roof terrace offers panoramic views of the city, lake, and mountains.
Visit https://alexisbaskind.net/teaching for a full interactive version of this course with sound and video material, as well as more courses and material.
Course series: Fundamentals of acoustics for sound engineers and music producers
Level: undergraduate (Bachelor)
Language: English
Revision: January 2020
To cite this course: Alexis Baskind, Psychoacoustics 1 – The ear, course material, license: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Course content
1.What is psychoacoustics?
Psychophysics and psychoacoustics - Physical and perceptual attributes - Why is psychoacoustics important for music production?
2.The physiology of the ear
Inner ear, middle ear, outer ear - Inner hair cells - Corti organ
3.Hearing damages
Ear fatigue - ear damages
Reproducing Personal Sound Zones Using a Hybrid Synthesis of Dynamic and Para...Jacob Donley
This presentation overviews a proposed hybrid approach to personal sound zones utilising multizone soundfield reproduction techniques and parametric loudspeakers. Crossover filters are designed, to switch between reproduction methods, through analytical analysis of aliasing artifacts in multizone reproductions. By realising the designed crossover filters, wideband acoustic contrast between zones is significantly improved. The trade-off between acoustic contrast and the bandwidth of the reproduced soundfield is investigated. Results show that by incorporating the proposed hybrid model the whole wideband bandwidth is spatial-aliasing free with a mean acoustic contrast consistently above 54.2dB, an improvement of up to 24.2dB from a non-hybrid approach, with as few as 16 dynamic loudspeakers and one parametric loudspeaker.
This document provides an overview of time-based audio effects. It defines effects as ambient fields that dimension tracks. Common effects like reverb, delay, chorus, flanging and phasing are explained. Reverb is broken down into direct signal, early reflections and reverberation. Delay times are discussed in musical note values relative to tempo. Examples are given of classic songs that feature effects along with the specific effects used. The document also discusses how effects are applied using auxiliary sends and returns on mixing consoles and hardware effects units.
Seminar delivered by Pat Smith of SLF Group at the 2014 Worship Conversation put on by Big Church Day Out.
Check out Musicademy and SFL's new DVD release Sound Tech and PA Training for Churches http://www.musicademy.com/2014/06/new-dvds-sound-tech-pa-training-churches/
Sign up here for over 40 free lessons from Musicademy http://bit.ly/12S4iPP
The Nexus International School Theatre located in Putrajaya, Malaysia was constructed in 2008 and seats 580 people. It uses various acoustic treatments like carpeting, drapery, cork and rock wool panels, and a sloped floor and ceiling reflectors to control reverberation. Based on measurements, the theatre's reverberation time of 0.92 seconds makes it suitable for speech but less so for music performances. Recommendations include reducing absorbent materials, maintaining equipment to reduce noise, and replacing aging acoustic panels.
Why are sound systems so challenging in churches?Musicademy
Seminar notes from Musicademy training day with content by SFL Ltd on church sound systems
Sign up here for over 40 free lessons from Musicademy including one from our Sound Tech Training DVD
http://bit.ly/12S4iPP
This document discusses various audio engineering services including improving live recordings, editing audio, mixing, mastering, and converting formats like vinyl to digital. Services include removing noise, standardizing volume, improving stereo imaging, removing unwanted audio, improving ambience and acoustics. Custom services like creating CDs from recordings and setting up an online store are also mentioned. Contact information is provided at the end.
- The document discusses the acoustical features and materials used in a cinema hall, including a case study of Fun Cinemas in Bhopal, MP.
- It describes the evolution of cinemas from grand opera houses to modern movie theaters. Wall treatments like carpeting, acoustic panels, and stretch fabric are discussed.
- Suspended acoustic ceilings are important for sound absorption and insulation. Acoustic ceiling tiles made from terracotta are highlighted.
- The cinema hall's trapezoidal shape and avoidance of parallel walls helps reduce echoes. Floating acoustic floors and theater seating arrangements are also covered.
This document discusses the acoustics of the Bentley Music Auditorium located in Mutiara Damansara, Malaysia. It begins with background on the history and drawings of the auditorium. It then analyzes various acoustic elements used in the auditorium, including sound diffuser panels, sound reflector panels, sound absorber panels, carpet flooring, and fabric curtains. It discusses the sound source and placement, sound reflection, diffusion, absorption properties of the auditorium, and analyzes direct and indirect sound paths. In conclusion, it examines the auditorium's acoustics and whether it achieves ideal properties based on the analysis conducted.
The document discusses the acoustical elements and design of Bentley Music Auditorium. It describes the various sound diffuser, reflector, and absorber panels used throughout the auditorium to control sound propagation. These include random pattern wood lath diffusers on the side walls, large reflective panels on the ceiling, and fiberglass absorber panels. Carpet flooring and heavy fabric curtains are also used for their sound absorbing properties. The document further examines the central loudspeaker sound system used for amplification and discusses how the various acoustical treatments work together to enhance the auditorium experience.
Shane Myrbeck - Listening to Design - Immersive Acoustics Modeling in the ARU...swissnex San Francisco
Shane Myrbeck is a senior consultant at Arup who specializes in acoustics, audiovisual design, and immersive audio environments. Arup is a global firm of over 10,000 professionals in various engineering and design disciplines. Myrbeck discussed Arup's acoustic consulting work and the Arup SoundLab, which is used to design and evaluate 3D computer models and immersive soundscapes for new audio environments. He also covered topics such as spatial hearing, ambisonics, and challenges in communicating acoustic concepts to non-experts.
The document discusses key concepts in acoustics including sound reflection, absorption, diffraction, standing waves, reverberation time, room modes, and the inverse square law. It explains how reverberation time can be calculated using the Sabine equation and lists common absorption coefficients for various materials. Finally, it defines binaural hearing and the differences between mono and stereo audio formats.
The document provides information on a case study conducted on the acoustic design of Damansara Performing Arts Centre's theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It includes floor plans, sections, and elevations of the theatre space. The literature review covers basic acoustic concepts such as sound waves, reflection, absorption, diffusion, and reverberation time. Site visits were conducted and acoustic measurements were taken to analyze the existing sound conditions. The data collected will be used to evaluate the acoustic qualities of the space and provide recommendations to improve areas such as sound reflection, absorption, diffusion, and reverberation time.
The document provides information on a case study conducted on the acoustic design of Damansara Performing Arts Centre's theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It includes floor plans, sections and photographs of the theatre along with a literature review on acoustic fundamentals. The literature review covers the properties of sound as longitudinal waves, factors that affect the human perception of sound like wavelength and frequency. It also discusses key acoustic concepts like sound reflection, absorption, diffusion, echo and reverberation times that are important for room acoustics design. Site visits were conducted and acoustic data was collected through measurements and interviews to analyse the theatre's acoustic performance and identify ways to improve it.
Building Science 2 : A Case Study on Acoustic DesignNicole Foo
This document provides an introduction and methodology for conducting an acoustic analysis of the PJ Live Arts Centre auditorium in Malaysia. The objectives are to study the auditorium design and how acoustic elements affect quality, analyze architectural features that influence sound, and produce a report concluding the space's acoustic effectiveness. Measurement methods will include using a digital sound level meter to collect sound pressure level data to evaluate factors like reverberation time, sound intensity, and how well audiences can enjoy performances.
This document provides an introduction and background on a group project to conduct an acoustic analysis of the PJ Live Arts Centre auditorium in Malaysia. The objectives are to study the auditorium design and how acoustic elements affect quality. The methodology discusses using a sound level meter, camera, and tape measure to collect data on site. An analysis is then presented on the theatre design, including the shape, seating layout, and ceiling reflector panels. Sources of indoor and outdoor noise are also identified, such as from doors, air conditioning, and the waiting area. The document aims to demonstrate understanding of the auditorium's acoustics through analysis and reporting.
This document provides information on a case study conducted on the acoustic design of the Damansara Performing Arts Centre theatre in Malaysia. It includes floor plans, sections and elevation of the theatre space. The objectives of the study are to analyze the acoustic characteristics of the auditorium, determine the sound absorption properties of existing materials, and analyze acoustic qualities to suggest improvements. Literature on acoustic fundamentals is reviewed covering sound wave properties, reflection, diffusion, and absorption. Site visits were conducted and acoustic measurements were taken to understand the existing acoustic conditions and identify sound sources.
This document provides details on a case study conducted on the acoustic design of the theatre at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study involved collecting acoustic data through site visits and measurements, analyzing how sound behaves in the space, and evaluating solutions to improve the room acoustics. Key findings include the identification of noise sources near the site, the contribution of acoustic doors and air conditioning placement to reducing external sound, and analysis of sound absorption, reflection, diffusion and reverberation times in the theatre. The document presents technical drawings, photographs to support the research methodology and findings on the acoustic characteristics and performance of the theatre space.
An auditorium is a special room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres and music halls. For movie theatres, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens. Auditorium can be found in entertainment venues, community halls, and theatres, and may be used for rehearsal, presentation, performing arts productions. Apart from entertainment, an auditorium also used for a space for speech delivery such as lecture theatres. A successful design of auditoriums muchly depend on its acoustic design which include the auditorium layout plus absorption materials used. It is essential to preserve and enhance the desired sound and to eliminate noise and undesired sound.
This document provides details of a case study on the acoustic design of the Cempaka Sari Auditorium in Putrajaya, Malaysia. It includes an introduction outlining the objectives of studying the auditorium's acoustics. The document then covers acoustic theory relevant to auditorium design. The methodology section describes the equipment and methods used to collect acoustic data from the site, including sound level meters, measuring devices, and sound equipment in the auditorium. Finally, the document presents preliminary acoustic analysis of the auditorium and outlines recommendations and conclusions.
This document provides details of a case study on the acoustic design of the Cempaka Sari Auditorium in Putrajaya, Malaysia. It includes an introduction outlining the aims, objectives, and background of the auditorium. The methodology section describes the equipment used to collect acoustic data during site visits, including sound level meters, measuring devices, and cameras. Acoustic theory is discussed around topics like sound intensity, reverberation, attenuation, and design considerations for auditoriums. Drawings of the auditorium plans and sections are also provided.
The document discusses an acoustic case study of the PJ Live Arts Centre auditorium. It provides background information on the auditorium such as its location, capacity, and history. The methodology section describes the tools used for data collection including a sound level meter, cameras, and measuring tape. An analysis of the auditorium design identifies factors like its rectangular shape, raked seating, and ceiling reflector panels. Sources of indoor and outdoor noise are also examined.
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A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
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2. INTRODUCTION
PLANNING GUIDES FOR
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
Used by thousands of music educators, architects and administrators,
Wenger's original Planning Guides have helped set basic facility
standards for effective music education and performance areas.
Even if a new construction project isn’t in your plans, these guides
still provide a strong foundation for understanding issues of layout,
acoustics, storage and equipment.
Wenger works with the
American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education System
as a registered AIA/CES provider.
Call Wenger and make these guides part of your personal library.
We have one for Elementary and one for Secondary school music areas.
EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR INPUT
At Wenger Corporation we have over 60 years of experience studying music education and providing solutions to the needs you face. On staff,
we have some of the industry's leading experts in the fields of music education and performance facilities, acoustics, storage and equipment. To
create a series of resource guides, we pooled all of our experience and then consulted the real experts — music educators. After more than 6,000
surveys, hundreds of interviews and site visits, we focused our attention on topics and problems educators face every day.
The topics we cover in our Wenger guides are a joint effort — a combination of our knowledge, input and writings from leading acousticians,
architects and facility planners, and of course, the creative solutions of individual music educators. There are as many variations on these topics
as there are schools in North America. Although every facility and every situation is unique, Wenger guides will provide a starting point for
addressing many of the questions you have and the problems you face in your facility. We are always working on updated versions and
new topics — see page 14 for a current list of Wenger guides for music educators and the spaces in which they teach and perform.
1
3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
CRITICAL LISTENING.....................................3
ACOUSTICS PRIMER
Music is learned by listening. To be effective, rehearsal rooms, practice
rooms and performance areas must provide an environment designed to
support musical sound. It's no surprise then that the most common questions
we hear and the most frustrating problems we see have to do with acoustics.
SOUND GENERATION
....................................3
FREQUENCY AND WAVELENGTH ..........................4
That's why we've put this Acoustics Primer together. In simple terms we explain
the fundamental acoustical concepts that affect music areas. Our hope is that
music educators, musicians, school administrators and even architects and
planners can use this information to better understand what they are, and are
not, hearing in their music spaces. And, by better understanding the many
variables that impact acoustical environments, we believe we can help you
with accurate diagnosis and ultimately, better solutions.
For our purposes here, it is not our intention to provide an exhaustive, technical
resource on the physics of sound and acoustical construction methods — that
has already been done and many of the best works are listed in our bibliography
and recommended readings on page 14. Rather, we want to help you establish
a base-line knowledge of acoustical concepts that affect music education and
performance spaces.
THE RANGE OF MUSICAL SOUND .........................5
ABSORPTION ............................................5
REFLECTING AND DIFFUSING SOUND .....................6
TONE COLOR AND THE HARMONIC SERIES................6
CUBIC VOLUME
.........................................7
MUSICAL PRESENCE AND ENVELOPMENT .................7
THIS WENGER PUBLICATION WAS REVIEWED
BY PROFESSOR M. DAVID EGAN.
Hon. AIA, is a consultant in acoustics and Professor Emeritus at the College of
Architecture, Clemson University. He has been principal consultant of Egan
Acoustics in Anderson, South Carolina for more than 35 years. A graduate of
Lafayette College (B.S.) and MIT (M.S.), Professor Eagan also has taught at
Tulane University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina
at Charlotte, and Washington University. He is the author of Concepts in
Architectural Acoustics, Concepts in Thermal Comfort, Concepts in Building
Firesafety, and Concepts in Architectural Lighting (two editions). In addition to
consulting, teaching, and writing, Professor Egan is a fellow of the Acoustical
Society of America, member of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants,
and an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
Distinguished Professor.
ROOM SHAPE ...........................................8
SOUND ISOLATION
LOUDNESS
......................................9
............................................10
REVERBERATION .......................................11
BRIGHTNESS
..........................................12
WARMTH ..............................................12
THIS ACOUSTICS PRIMER ALSO SERVES
AS A PARTNER GUIDE TO OTHER WENGER
EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES
Planning Guide for Secondary School Music Facilities
ADDITIONAL ACOUSTIC TERMS .........................13
Planning Guid for Music Facilities
BIBLIOGRAPHY
........................................14
Elementary Planning Guide
Acoustic Primer
ADDITIONAL READINGS
................................14
Acoustical Problems and Solutions for Rehearsal and Practice Spaces
Planning Guide for Performance Spaces
FINDING ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANTS
AND PROFESSIONALS ..................................14
ADDITIONAL WENGER
EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES ................14
2
4. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
CRITICAL LISTENING
Concept:
Musicians need to clearly and fully hear and critique musical
sound, including subtle variations, across a wide range of
dynamics (loud to soft) and frequencies (high to low pitches).
Relevance:
To support critical listening, a music space must provide a
well-balanced acoustic environment which is also free from
distracting noise. Unlike speech, musical sound contains complex
elements of pitch, tone color, frequency, articulation and rhythm.
A musician must be able to hear and distinguish between these
subtle variations.
SOUND GENERATION
Concept:
Sound radiates from its source in spherical waves by means of vibrations moving through the air. Sound travels through air at about
1 foot per millisecond (1000th of a second, abbreviated ms) or 1130 ft/sec until it strikes an obstacle that reflects, absorbs, or transmits it.
Relevance:
The distances sound must travel before it is reflected and the surfaces or obstacles it strikes all affect the musical acoustics of a room.
Because the human ear and brain have limits to their processing speed, a musician can hear better if sound reflected from walls and
ceilings returns to the ear with a slight delay. This is one of the reasons rooms with adequate cubic volume create a better environment
for music.
Flute (at frequencies > 250Hz, sound radiates
from mouth and first open side hole)
20'
sound returns
in 40 ms
Sound radiation of flute at 250 Hz.
3
Sound reflected off wall.
20 ms
top view
20 ms
5. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
INTRODUCTION
FREQUENCY AND WAVELENGTH
Concept:
Frequency, the measurable attribute of the "pitch" we hear, is the cycles per second of a sound measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, the
tuning pitch "A" generates sound waves at 440 cycles per second. You can think of this in terms of waves in the ocean — frequency would
be the number of waves you can see at one time looking out over the ocean. And like ocean waves, sound waves can be measured by
physical length from crest to crest. It is important to understand just how big are some of these wavelengths of sound — "C" below “middle C” generates a wavelength of about eight feet.
Relevance:
Large ocean waves move more water and have longer wavelengths than smaller waves. Because the large waves are unaffected by small
obstacles, such as posts or protruding rocks, high solid breakwalls are needed to stop them. Similarly, low frequencies of sound move more
air and have longer wavelengths than high frequencies. These longer wavelengths are also unaffected by small obstacles. As you think about
your room, it is important to visualize the wavelength of the sound you are trying to affect. The size of reflectors and type of absorption used
should be tailored to the wavelengths of sound in your room. To alter big, energetic sound waves, you will need equally large treatments.
Frequency and Wavelength.
Musical pitches and their corresponding wavelengths and frequency.
4
6. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
THE RANGE OF MUSICAL SOUND
Concept:
Throughout history, the art of music has explored the entire range
of sounds audible to the human ear. Music utilizes frequencies as
low as 20Hz to those as high as 20,000Hz across a dynamic range
from below 25dB (decibels) to over 100dB.
Relevance:
Music areas must be designed and treated to support the
broad dynamic range of musical sound. Unlike typical lecture
rooms designed to support the relatively narrow range of
speech, music rooms require special considerations and
unique treatments.
Wavelength chart.
ABSORPTION
Concept:
Absorption is the reduction of sound energy that occurs when sound comes into
contact with surface materials. Hard, solid surfaces like concrete reflect most of
the sound energy back into the room and provide little absorption. Sound energy
hitting thick, fibrous surfaces will attempt to pass through the material and
essentially lose energy by friction as sound energy flows along the pores. It is
critical to understand that the physical nature of the absorption material, such
as porosity and thickness, determines the level of absorption and the frequencies
affected. Lower frequencies, for example, have a longer wavelength and
more energy. As a result, they require thicker absorptive materials with large
surface areas. Absorption of musical sound is more difficult than absorption of
speech because music is generated across a much broader frequency range.
Relevance:
Rooms with little or no absorption can be excessively loud, making it difficult to
hear. These rooms also do not provide a true balanced sound for critical listening.
In many cases poor absorption causes acoustical anomalies such as flutter
echo which is the prolonged buzz that occurs when sound energy is bounced
between parallel, sound-reflecting surfaces.
Use of ineffective sound absorption leads to some of the most common mistakes
we see in existing rooms. For example, to control loudness, thin, 1" absorbers or
carpeting have been applied directly to the walls or floor. While they may be
effective for speech absorption or give the first impression of a "quieter" space,
these solutions strip out the high frequencies and harmonic overtones leaving
middle and low musical frequencies unaffected. The result is a room that sounds
boomy, distorts tone colors and is a poor environment for critical listening.
To create an effective critical listening environment, sound absorption must be
used in conjunction with properly placed diffusion.
5
7. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
REFLECTING AND DIFFUSING SOUND
Concept:
The concepts of reflection and diffusion go hand-in-hand with, and in some ways are opposite to, absorption. Reflection occurs when sound
strikes a hard, dense surface and is reflected at the angle of incidence, just like shining a flashlight into a mirror. Diffusion occurs when the shape
of a surface scatters and redirects the sound so that it is heard in other parts of the space, like shining that same light at a mirrored ball.
Relevance:
A good music listening environment should have ample diffusion so that all sound can be clearly heard throughout the room. This allows
individual musicians within an ensemble to hear all of the parts from the entire group. It is equally important for audience members. For example,
the extravagant plasterwork and ornamentation in historic theaters creates acoustically reflective surfaces with irregular angles and curves,
which enhance diffusion.
TONE COLOR AND THE HARMONIC SERIES
Concept:
All musical instruments produce complex sounds made up of the main sound, or fundamental tone, plus a number of weaker,
pure sounds or overtones. A fundamental tone and its overtones are referred to as the harmonic series. The number and greater or
lesser prominence of harmonics sounding above a fundamental tone create an instrument’s tone color. The more extensive the
harmonic series of an instrument, the richer and brighter the tone. For example, an oboe has a complex harmonic series, compared
to a flute.
Relevance:
When placed in a music space, absorption materials that are too thin to evenly absorb a wide range of frequencies, can “strip away”
the upper harmonics of an instrument’s tone leaving the sound altered, and less colorful.
The harmonic series,
or potential overtones
generated from the
fundamental tone c-65Hz.
Number and prominence of
overtones for three
common instruments
6
8. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
CUBIC VOLUME
Plan View
Partial Section
Cubic Volume = Length x Width x Height
Concept:
Cubic volume is the floor area (square feet) of a space multiplied by the ceiling height (feet). For example, a 44' X 58' rehearsal space with a
20' ceiling height would have a cubic volume of 51,040 cubic feet (44' X 58' X 20' = 51,040 cubic feet).
Relevance:
The cubic volume of a music space is the foundation of the acoustics you experience, good or bad. Adequate cubic volume helps dissipate
loudness while providing an area large enough to slightly delay sound reflections off the walls, floor and ceiling. This delay allows the human
ear and mind to process the sound. The result is an ability to accurately hear and critique the entire spectrum of musical sound.
HOW MUCH CUBIC VOLUME IS ENOUGH?
RULE OF THUMB
ROOM
Choral Rehearsal
Band/Orchestra Rehearsal
CLASS SIZE
60-80 students
60-75 students
CEILING HEIGHT
16-20 feet
18-22 feet
TYPICAL FLOOR SPACE
1,800 sq. ft.
2,500 sq. ft.
RESULTING
ROOM CUBIC VOLUME
28,800 - 36,000 cu. ft.
45,000 - 55,000 cu. ft.
The ideal rehearsal room size is somewhat dependent on group type and size, but should provide musicians with enough room to move about
and play instruments and sufficient cubic volume for the sound they produce.
MUSICAL PRESENCE AND ENVELOPMENT
Concept:
Presence is a general term musicians use to describe the positive
acoustic attributes of a space. When a room, has "good presence",
early reflections of sound from walls and ceilings are returned to the
musicians' ears in approximentaly 30 milliseconds time interval.
Envelopment is a similar term used to define the characteristics of
larger auditoriums and performance spaces where the lateral reflections
from side and back walls return to the ear approximately 80
milliseconds after the direct sound. For performers and audience
members alike, envelopment is the sense of being immersed in, or
surrounded by, the music. Presence and envelopment cannot be
achieved without significant room size and cubic volume.
Relevance:
When musicians can hear their sound "out in the room" it allows them
to better focus on phrasing, intonation and communication with other
musicians in an ensemble. Rooms with presence and envelopment
simply feel more supportive and can be more musical.
7
Choral performers immersed in sound. Reflections suporting mutual
hearing should arrive after short delay of 30 - 80 milliseconds.
9. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
ROOM SHAPE
Standing Wave
Domed ceiling
focuses sound
Hot spot
Sound Source
Parallel walls
cause flutter
Plan View
Section View
Concept:
When sound reflects off hard surfaces, the angle or shape of these surfaces affect the pattern of the reflections and ultimately what is heard.
As a result certain geometric room shapes will result in undesirable acoustic phenomena.
Relevance:
The shape of your room has a profound effect on the way sound behaves in the room. Untreated parallel walls can cause flutter echoes.
Designs that may look “acoustical” often create problems. Concave curved ceilings and walls, for example, will focus sound to acoustic
"hot-spots" while leaving musicians in other areas unable to hear much at all. Cube-shaped rooms (length, width, and ceiling height are equal)
can result in a phenomenon called a standing wave where lower frequencies are exaggerated due to the mathematical correlation between
the room's dimensions and the wavelength of the frequency. (see chart on page 4)
Angle of reflection
Angle of incidence
Focal Point
Sound
Source
Plan View (circular shape)
Section View (cube-shaped room)
8
10. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
SOUND ISOLATION
Concept:
Sound isolation depends on how well the construction elements of a room (floor, walls, ceiling) keep sound created in the room contained
and keep sound generated outside from penetrating into the room. Sound isolation is compromised by airborne sound leaking through
any openings in your structure — doorways, windows, electrical conduits, ventilation openings and gaps in building construction elements.
Sound isolation is also compromised by sound vibrations traveling along or passing through a physical structure such as the floor or a wall.
Relevance:
Simply put, poor sound isolation makes critical listening difficult or impossible. For example, practice rooms are often unusable because
they leak sound both in and out. Noise from a nearby gymnasium may disrupt music rehearsal, or music rehearsals may disrupt nearby
classrooms or offices. Use high performance, sound-isolating construction elements to contain noise from gymnasiums, mechanical
equipment rooms, and the like.
Incomplete Wall (opening between wall and overhead structure)
Suspended Sound-Absorbing Ceiling
Sound transmitted
from overhead
Sound transmitted through air vent and
openings between door and frame
Airborne sound leaking from one space to another.
Vibrating mechanical
equipment
Sound radiated by floor above
Sound transmitted directly
through wall
Impact
sound
Impact Sound
radiated by floor
Structure-borne sound not only transmits through walls but also
travels horizontally through floors and ceilings.
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11. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
LOUDNESS
Concept:
Sound pressure level in decibels (dB) is a measure of loudness. In auditoriums for music performance, louder passages should be
comfortable and weaker passages sufficiently audible. Loudness is affected by room height-to-width ratio (H/W), absorption of seating
and occupants, and cubic volume of room.
Relevance:
Musical ensembles can be extremely loud, often in excess of 100dB. Sustained exposure to sound pressure levels this high can result in
discomfort, short-term hearing loss or permanent damage to hearing. A ringing in your ears after a day of teaching or playing music is a
sign that your ears are strained. If the ringing is persistent day after day, you likely are in an environment that is too loud.
A Note on Hearing Health:
All too often we are called in to help with rehearsal rooms that are too loud. Topping the list of concerns in a loud room is the effect on the
hearing health of educators and students. According to OSHA standards, 90dB is the maximum acceptable level of noise in a workplace
without hearing protection. An independent study* reported noise levels in band rehearsal rooms were often 7 -12dB over the limit. The study
went on to examine the affect of this on music educators. The findings showed a correlation between years on the job and the rate of
noise-induced hearing loss. The message is clear — band rooms can become dangerously loud places to work and measures must be
taken to address overly loud rooms.
*Research by Robert A. Cutietta, Coordinator of music education in the School of Music at the University of Arizona, and colleagues.
From the Journal of Research in Music Education 1994. Volume 42, Number 4, Pages 318-330.
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12. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
REVERBERATION
Concept:
Reverberation is the persistence of sound in an enclosed space.
Reverberation affects the character and quality of music. It is
measured in seconds, from when the sound is generated to when it
decays to the point of inaudibility. Reverberation is affected by the
interior surfaces and size of a room, and absorption of people and seats
and other furnishings. For example, cafeterias and gymnasiums often
are overly reverberant because the hard surfaces allow sound to
build up and reflect many times before losing its energy.
Relevance:
Excessive reverberance can prevent an ensemble from accurately
hearing definition and detail. Articulation and timing become muddy
and clarity is lost.
Hard, sound-reflecting surfaces and large cubic volume create
excessive reverberation.
Direct Sound*
Few
er e
arly
refle
ctio
ns
Sound level (dB)
Num
ber
of
Early Reflections (< 80 ms)
refle
ctio
ns in
crea
se w
ith t
ime
!
Late Reflections (80 to 300 ms)
Time (ms)
Decay of sound in an auditorium. Reverberation is time it takes sound to decay by 60 dB.
*Time it takes for the sound from the stage to reach the listener.
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Reverberation (>300 ms)
13. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
BRIGHTNESS
Concept:
Brightness describes the perceived loudness of higher musical frequencies (> 2000 Hz). When a room is bright, these frequencies are in
balance with, and not overpowered by, lower frequencies. To achieve brightness in auditoriums, it is important that interior surfaces be heavy
and massive.
Relevance:
A bright acoustic environment enables a musician to clearly hear attacks and releases, helping the entire ensemble to accurately execute
complex rhythmic passages. A "bright" environment that supports higher frequencies also allows the full tone color of the instrument or voice
to be heard. Maintaining brightness while acoustically treating a space for loudness requires specific acoustic materials precisely placed
throughout the room.
WARMTH
Concept:
In large auditoriums warmth describes the relative loudness of bass frequencies (< 250 Hz) to loudness of mid-range frequencies.
Researchers have long used bass ratio (BR) as a measure of warmth. The BR is the reverberation at low-frequencies divided by reverberation
at mid-frequencies. BR should be greater than 1.0. Recent research by the Concert Hall Research Group (CHRG) indicates ceiling height is a
critical element of strength of bass in auditoriums.
Relevance:
To Reflect and diffuse long sound waves require large surfaces with substantial mass and rigidity. Large acoustic shells on stage, for
example, aid in enhancing a sense of warmth. In general, auditoriums with diffusing ceilings tend to have weaker bass, but auditoriums with
over-stage reflectors have stronger bass.
Suspended
Reflectors
Average
Ceiling
Height
Solid massive construction and suspended sound reflectors reflect low frequencies,
creating a sense of warmth.
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14. AN ACOUSTICS PRIMER
ADDITIONAL ACOUSTIC TERMS
Active Acoustics:
Also referred to as electronic architecture or “virtual acoustics.” Electronic devices (such as microphones, loud speakers, digital signal
processors) are used to enhance the natural acoustics of a space. Effective active acoustics are also dependent on the correct room
treatment with passive acoustics.
Echoes:
Echoes are produced when surfaces reflect sound to the listener after the direct sound from the source has been heard.
For example, horn sections on stage may create a distracting echo off the back wall of an auditorium. Although both absorbers and
diffusers can help correct this type of echo, diffusers are generally preferred because more sound energy will be conserved.
Flutter:
Flutter echoes occur when a sound source is situated between parallel, sound-reflecting surfaces. The effect is a prolonged buzzing sound.
For example, a rim shot off a snare drum in an untreated room will produce a distinct flutter echo.
Masking:
Masking occurs when an unwanted noise conflicts with or masks a musician's ability to hear musical sounds of a similar or higher pitch.
For example, the whooshing noise of air coming out of an air supply duct can mask musical sound.
NC:
Noise Criteria is: A single number rating to quantify the level of background noise. The lower the NC, the quieter the space.
Passive Acoustics:
This term refers to the use of architectural (non-electronic) design and acoustical surface treatments to create a musical space.
Primarily broken down into absorptive and diffusive properties, elements such as geometric wall and ceiling shape and acoustic
panels on walls and ceilings are examples of passive acoustics.
Reflection:
Sound reflection off a hard surface can be compared to the reflection of light off a mirror. Without reflective surfaces such as acoustical shells
and overheads on a proscenium stage, for example, sound energy may be dissipated or absorbed without ever reaching the audience.
Sound Transmission Path:
Air borne: Sound that is transmitted through the air than strikes a barrier and is retransmitted on the other side.
STC:
Sound Transmission Class is: Single number rating system for describing the amount of sound isolation provided by a construction element
(i.e. wall, door, window). Typically the STC rating best represents a construction ability to isolate speech. The higher the STC number,
measured in the lab, the greater the sound isolation by the construction element.
Structure/Flanking:
Sound that is transmitted by direct contact with the sound source, such as an air compressor attached to a room duck or the legs of a
ground piano in contact with the floor.
NIC:
Noise Isolation Class is: Similar to STC, but takes into account all parts of a structure enclosing a room.
The higher the NIC, the greater the sound isolation between rooms.
NRC:
Noise Reduction Coefficient is: Single number describing the average amount of absorption (measured in percent of perfect absorption)
at octave band frequencies at 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz and 2kHz. It provides a good estimate of absorption when used for the speech range,
but has limited value when used for music applications since it ignores frequencies below 176Hz and above 2825Hz.
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15. FUNDAMENTAL ACOUSTIC CONCEPTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Architectural Acoustics by M. David Egan; 1988 by McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0-07-019111-5
Architectural Acoustics by M. David Egan; 2007 by J. Ross Publishing; ISBN: 13: 978-1932159783
Architectural Acoustics:
Principles and Practice; edited by William J. Cavanaugh and Joseph A. Wilkes; 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; ISBN: 0-471-30682-7
Acoustics by Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc.; 1998 by William Stout Publishers; ISBN: 0-9651144-6-5
Wenger Planning Guide for Secondary School Music Facilities
ADDITIONAL READINGS
Architectural Acoustics:
Principles and Design by Madan Mehta, James Johnson and Jorge Rocafort; 1999 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.; ISBN: 0-13-793795-4
Acoustics and Noise Control Handbook for Architects and Builders;
by Leland K. Irvine and Roy L. Richards; 1998 by Krieger Publishing Company; ISBN: 0-89464-922-1
Auditorium Acoustics and Architectural Design by Michael Barron; 1993 by E & FN Spon; ISBN: 0-442-31623-2
Concert Halls and Opera Houses: Second Edition by Leo Beranek; 2004 by Springer-Verlag; ISBN: 0-387-95524-0
Sound System Engineering - Second Edition by Don and Carolyn Davis; 1992 by Howard Sams & Co.; ISBN: 0-672-21857-7
Music and Concert Hall Acoustics edited by Yoichi Ando and Dennis Noson; 1997 by Academic Press Limited; ISBN: 0-12-059555-9
Architectural Acoustics by Marshall Long; 2006 by Elsevier Academic Press; ISBN 10: 0-12-455551-9
The Acoustics of Performance Halls by J. Christopher Jaffe; 2010 by W.W. Norton Company, Inc.; ISBN: 978-0-393-73255-9
Deaf Architects & Blind Acousticians?
A Guide to the Principles of Sound Design by Robert E. Apfel; 1998 by Apple Enterprises Press; ISBN: 0-9663331-0-1
FINDING ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANTS AND PROFESSIONALS
Contact:
National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC)
9100 Purdue Road, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 328-0642 Fax: (317) 328-4629
Website: www.ncac.com
Contact:
Wenger Corporation
555 Park Drive
P.O. Box 448
Owatonna, MN 55060-0448
1-800-733-0393 Fax: (507) 455-4258
Website: www.wengercorp.com
ADDITIONAL WENGER EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES
Planning Guide for Secondary School Music Facilities
Planning Guid for Music Facilities
Elementary Planning Guide
Acoustic Primer
Acoustical Problems and Solutions for Rehearsal and Practice Spaces
Planning Guide for Performance Spaces
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