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sounding off

blog of acoustics, noise, vibration & audio-visual systems

Not All Acoustical Surfaces Are Created Equal

Administrator | K-12 Education | July 28th, 2010 | Leave A Comment

image of high school auditorium acousticsThe orchestra that I play in used to perform at local public schools. The high school auditoria that we regularly used were so-so for acoustics, but we learned to appreciate them when a scheduling conflict bumped us to a junior high school for one concert. This auditorium ceiling was treated with a spray-on absorbing material that made it feel like we were playing into a sonic black hole. After we finished, it sounded like twenty people were clapping, which I hope there were more…maybe not if they couldn’t hear us. (more)

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Creating Quiet Hotel Rooms

Tim Koldenhoven | Hospitality | July 21st, 2010 | 2 Comments

image of noise isolation between hotel roomsIn an effort to be inspired, I happen to be writing this blog from my hotel room so it seems perfectly fitting that I write today about Hotel Room Noise Isolation.  This is a bit of a tricky topic because there is a whole range of expectations that exist between the one or two star roadside motel and the 4-star hotel that I am currently staying in courtesy of our firm’s thriftiness and a sweet deal from hotwire.com.  Of course, nobody checks into a hotel expecting to get a poor night of sleep regardless of the quality or star rating of the establishment. (more)

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Naturally Ventilated Buildings and Loud Noisy Acoustics

Kenric Van Wyk | K-12 Education | July 14th, 2010 | Leave A Comment

Naturally Ventilated Buildings and Loud Noisy AcousticsThe LEED® green building certification program gives out points for naturally ventilating buildings, and it also gives out points for acoustics – especially for low levels of background noise levels. As the industry is finding out, naturally ventilated buildings create more opportunities for buildings to be penetrated by exterior noises, thus creating unintended loud background noise levels. I was interviewed by Buildings Magazine for their article, Fresh Air Creates Fresh Acoustical Concerns. Read the whole article here… http://www.buildings.com/ArticleDetails/tabid/3321/ArticleID/10021/Default.aspx

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Video: Lakeland Healthcare on the Benefits of Great Hospital Acoustics

Tom Thelen | Healthcare | July 8th, 2010 | 1 Comment

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Video Blog | Healthcare Acoustics Nightmare

Tom Thelen | Healthcare | July 1st, 2010 | Leave A Comment

This is a fictional video we made to illustrate the many problems of acoustics, noise, and vibration in modern healthcare facilities. It shows why hospitals and health care facilities need acoustical engineers. © 2010, Acoustics By Design.

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