Non-traditional in-room measurement and non-measurement approaches to existing room evaluations

Abstract

Threshold Acoustics has experimented with a number of non-traditional approaches to the evaluation of existing interior spaces in recent years. These methods have varied widely in response to the unique circumstances of each project. The challenges and advantages of each room must be approached with an open mind, in terms of both measured and qualitative evaluation, to reach a firm understanding of the acoustic character of a space. This paper will discuss studies that have utilized techniques as diverse as theatrical lighting and gels as a means of fine-tuning ceiling reflectors to working directly with musicians to determine how rooms as a whole or, in some cases individual room elements, respond to the frequency content and directionality of specific instruments. We will also discuss the method involved in a recent study of the interaction between a room and its reverberation chambers that was performed to gain a more complete understanding of the complex ways they influence one another.