Acoustic calculation and architectural acoustics

• Building a model in EASE 4.4
• Changes in the architecture of the premises
• Selection of facing materials
• Speaker distribution
• Output of calculation results

Correct placement of equipment for any acoustic characteristics of the hall allows you to obtain a good quality of perception of various sounds: speech, music, noise. In the location of the spectators participating in the event, it is necessary to ensure the required volume, intelligibility and sound without distortion across the entire frequency range of the audio signal. For this purpose, we offer a professional acoustic calculation service. It allows you to select the surface covering material, speech intelligibility and the composition of the audio system.

Our company carries out electro-acoustic calculations for various objects: stadiums, swimming pools, tennis courts, other sports facilities, concert halls, restaurants, open areas, churches, halls for concerts and conferences. When calculating acoustics, experts take into account the architectural features of the room and the specifics of the event held in it. The required optimal sound pressure level is different in cases of broadcasting announcer announcements, background music, a star concert or classical music.


When calculating sound equipment for a specific hall, an analysis of the room is carried out. Based on this, the optimal distribution of the sound field and speaker placement are selected. A plan, sections of the room, a description of the finishing materials of the ceiling and walls are used.
To order an acoustic calculation, you must provide initial data indicating the overall dimensions of the site, ceiling height, materials, and the nature of the event. Provide drawings or sketches. If necessary, the project executor takes measurements on site.

When calculating the power of an acoustic system, the noise level is taken into account as one of the parameters. It depends on the number of people in the room and their actions. Higher sound pressure is required on the dance floor. The distance of listeners from the sound signal sources also matters. They are placed in such a way as to ensure uniformity of the sound field for all seats. If the room has balconies and a mezzanine, then delay lines are added for them and calculations are carried out for each zone collectively.

By using the service offered by the company for calculating and selecting an acoustic system, you can organize high-quality sound broadcasting anywhere: in a restaurant, club or stadium. According to our calculations, our specialists also perform equipment installation and configuration.

The basis for designing a sound system or room sound system is acoustic calculation. Using an acoustic calculation, you can understand which acoustic systems are best to choose for a given room and how best to position them to ensure uniform sound distribution. Using sound calculations, it is also possible to agree with the customer in which areas the volume level of the sound signal needs to be changed to ensure the comfort of the audience. Another task that can be performed using acoustic calculations is the calculation of sound absorption, the selection of facing materials for the hall or room where the sound system will be installed to ensure high-quality speech intelligibility and good music perception.
The issue of acoustic treatment of various rooms is very relevant at the present time. With the advent of new models of sound recording and sound reproducing equipment, it has become mandatory.

Modern industry offers a huge selection of finishing materials with different frequency properties, which allows, with the right choice, to obtain the necessary frequency characteristics of cinema halls, recording studios, speech studios, concert halls, train stations, airports, conference rooms, night clubs and many others.

The choice of materials was made according to various criteria, including economic ones. Thus, you can choose inexpensive materials, but at the same time all the requirements for the frequency characteristics of the room are met. The correct choice of materials will be confirmed by calculation of frequency characteristics.


 
To create a model for acoustic calculations, all dimensions of the hall are required. In the specialized EASE program, a 3D model of the hall is created, an exact copy, with all dimensions, in which materials are selected according to the sound absorption coefficient to achieve the recommended reverberation time for a certain type of hall and its purpose.
The figure shows graphs for various rooms:

1 - halls for oratorios and organ music;
2 - halls for symphonic music;
3 - halls for chamber music, halls of opera houses;
4 - multi-purpose halls, halls of music and drama theaters, sports halls;
5 - lecture halls, meeting rooms, drama theater halls, cinema halls, passenger halls.
Once the recommended estimated reverberation time has reached the desired result, simulators of acoustic systems (loudspeakers) are installed in the hall model. Loudspeaker simulator files are located in the database of the EASE acoustic calculation program and are periodically updated. In the 3D model of the hall (room), you can distribute simulators of acoustic systems as you like; for this, specialists use certain rules that must be followed for sounding halls and other rooms. As in reality, speaker systems can be installed on a base (for example, on the floor or on a stage), at height (suspended loudspeakers) and built into the ceiling or wall. When calculating, the program will produce several parameters that can be used to form a favorable acoustic picture.

Sound pressure - calculation

This parameter describes the distribution of sound pressure over the area of the spectator area without taking into account reflections. The amount of unevenness: the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure values characterizes the correct use of acoustic systems and their placement locations.

Consonant loss rate

Consonant loss coefficient or ARTICULATION LOSS - graphical display of the loss of articulation of consonants as a percentage. This is an inverse criterion, 0% is the ideal parameter value describing the absence of consonant loss; 100% is the worst value of the parameter, describing the complete loss of consonants.

Recommended percentage estimates:

from 0% to 7% - the best result;

-from 7% to 11% - a good result;

-from 11% to 15% - satisfactory result;

-above 15% - bad result.

In acoustics, the term "intelligibility" refers to the ability to hear and correctly distinguish all phonemes, i.e. constituent elements of language. Speech intelligibility is the most important parameter when assessing the quality of sound reproduction, and depends primarily on the correct understanding of consonants. Reverberation and high levels of background noise interfere with speech intelligibility. The percentage of "lost" consonants provides an estimate of message intelligibility and is designated ALCons. When an acoustic signal, such as speech, is extremely variable over time and in the presence of all kinds of environmental noise, a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (at least 10 dB) contributes to the best perception of the message. Intelligibility decreases as the distance between source and listener increases to a maximum distance. For long distances, intelligibility remains constant whatever the distance to the listener, but depends on the reverberation time. Any listener position is characterized by a certain Alcons value. Reducing this value is quite difficult, since it involves changing the geometry of the room and/or the materials available in it.

Speech intelligibility factor calculation

Speech intelligibility is assessed using the STI coefficient. This parameter is the main factor for assessing the sound quality of a music system. For different types of premises or tasks, there are ranges within which it is necessary for the value of the STI coefficient to fall within. The STI coefficient depends on all parameters: room size, sound emitter range, noise level, spectators, room cladding, reverberation time, sound pressure level.

Recommended assessment values for fast speech transmission (intelligibility):

from 0.6 to 1 - the best result;

from 0.45 to 0.6 - a good result;

from 0.3 to 0.45 – Satisfactory result;

from 0 to 0.3 is a bad result.

Musical Clarity Quotient.

Recommended C80 musical clarity ratings in dB:

0dB - for organ, romantic music;

+2dB - for classical music, choir, church singing;

+4dB - for pop. Music;

+6dB - for rock and roll.

Our company carries out professional acoustic calculations of any complexity; specialists who have completed training in the specialized EASE program have a certificate issued by the AFMG training center in Berlin, which is confirmed by the certificate provided below:

An acoustic calculation of the room is necessary for the precise installation of acoustic systems in the hall. Acoustic calculations are also performed to optimize the acoustic properties of the room.