Acoustical Design of Music Studio

J. Abengaa, C. Garcia, E. Macose, K. Manarin, Students, School of Engineering, Asia Pacific College

Abstract Small music practice rooms for non-amplified Backrest 37 0.33 0.33 - 0.14 Plastic
musical instruments are essential requirements in the teaching of Glass of 2 7.69 6.2 - 0.10 Glass
music in music education facilities. The requirements for wall door
partitions and doors sound insulation performance for music Door 2 2.11 0.83 - 0.44 Metal
Whiteboard 1 4.84 0.93 - 0.96 Melamine
practice rooms are usually the primary consideration and
Fluorescent 9 0.92 0.108 - 0.15 Wood
generally well understood. In this paper, the proponents
(base)
transformed one of the room in Asia Pacific College into music Aircon 2 1.59 0.62 - 0.14 Plastics
studio. This paper involves the computation of the current state Blinds 1 6.93 1.36 - 0.39 Vinyl
room and proposed music studio. Projector 1 0.31 0.24 - 0.14 Plastic
Window 1 6.73 1.06 - 0.10 Glass
Keywordsacoustics; norris eyring; reverberation; Front 1 0.64 0.35 - 0.01 Concrete
reverberation time corner wall
Back corner 1 0.64 0.12 - 0.01 Concrete
wall
I. INTRODUCTION (HEADING 1) Person 37 - - - 0.8 -
Reverberation is the sound that persists in an enclosed
space due to multiple reflections, even after the source of the Table 2.1 shows the dimensions of the materials inside the
sound has stopped. Reverberation time is the time required for classroom, as well as the type of material used with its
the sound to fade away in a closed area. Sound in a room will absorption coefficient. The rooms measurements are 7.69m x
bounce off in reflective surfaces like ceiling, floor, tables, and 6.2m x 2.53m. Room 415 is current used as a classroom.
walls. Reverberation in a room will be reduced if the Unlike any other rooms in the institute, this room does not
reflections hit absorbent surfaces such as curtains and foam have a sound proof ceiling.
Asia Pacific College offers different courses and each
courses have its own specialization. The institute provides the B. Computation of the Surface Area and Volume of each item
equipment and facilities that the students need in their activities of the Current Room Setup
and projects. As such, art rooms, computer laboratories, studio
room, and music rooms can be use by students. However, as
time passed by, the population of the students in the institute Each item in the current room setup has its corresponding
increased, resulting to a need in facilities such as a music surface area. Also, the volume was computed. The values taken
studio. was used in the computation of the Reverberation Time of the
room. In addition, the average absorption coefficient was
To solve this problem, the group aims to design a music computed since this will be used in computing the
studio that will be sufficient enough for the students need. The reverberation time of the room.
proponents will transform one of the rooms in Asia Pacific
College and design it according to the music rooms available in
the industry. In doing this, principles of acoustics and Total Area
reverberation time will be applied in order to achieve a similar
AT = Afloor Aback corner wall Afront corner wall
design that is used in the industry.
AT = (7.69)(6.2) (0.35)(0.64) (0.12)(0.64)
AT = 47.38 m2
II. PRESENT CONDITION OF ROOM Volume of room
VR = AT x hr
A. Dimensions of the Current Setup
VR = 47.38 m2 x 2.53 m
VR = 119.86 m3
Table 2.1 Current Room Setup (Room 415) Effective Absorbing area (Se)
Items Item Length Width Depth Absorption Type of Se = 1S1 + 2S2 + 3S3 + + nSn
no. (m) (m) (m) Coefficient material wall Swall = 0.01{2(7.69)(2.53) + (6.2)(2.53) + [(6.2)(2.53)
Ceiling 1 7.69 6.2 - 0.15 Wood
Floor 1 7.69 6.2 - 0.4 Vinyl (0.93)(4.84)]} = 0.66
Walls 4 - - 2.53 0.01 Concrete Ceiling SCeiling = 0.15 (47.38) = 7.11
Table 37 0.44 0.74 - 0.15 Wood Floor SFloor = 0.4 (47.38) = 18.95
Chair 37 0.61 0.61 - 0.14 Plastic Whiteboard SWhiteboard = 0.96 (0.93)(4.84) = 4.38
 Door SDoor = 0.44 [(2.11)(0.83) (0.47)(0.67)] = 0.63 (2) = 1.26
glass of door Sglass of door = 0.1 [(0.47)(0.67)] (2) = 0.06
windows Swindows = 0.1 (1.06)(6.73) = 0.71
person Sperson = 0.8 (37) = 29.6
table Stable = 0.15 [37 (0.74)(0.44)] = 0.02
Chair SChair = 0.14 [37[(0.61)(0.61) + (0.33)(0.33)]} = 2.49
lights Slights = 0.15 [9 (0.92)(0.108)] = 0.28
aircon Saircon = 0.14 [2(0.62)(1.59)] = 0.28
blind Sblind = 0.39 (1.36)(6.93) = 3.68

Average = =

Average ((ave) ) = 0.27

Since > 0.2, use Norris Eyring Equation
Norris Eyring Equation:

RT60 = 0.161

RT60 = 0.161

RT60 = 0.25 sec

With the values obtained from the data, the reverberation

time was computed. The proponents used the Norris Eyring III. CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING A MUSIC STUDIO
Equation for the computation of reverberation time (RT60)
since the average alpha (ave) is greater than 0.2. the computed
RT60 of room 415 is 0.25 seconds. The Reverberation time (RT) is probably the most widely
used parameter in room acoustics, and is usually measured
using the Schroeder integrated impulse response technique
[Schroeder, 1965], and linear regression between -5 and -35 dB
(or -25 dB when the dynamic range is insufficient) [Pelorson et
al, 1992]. There are many considerations in designing a music
studio. The proponents transformed room 415 based on the
following considerations.

1. Choose the Best Room

In designing a music studio, it is advisable to use a
bigger room since it has more space. Room 415 is suitable
and enough to be transformed into a music studio. Also,
C. Current Setup of the room 2. Clear Out the Room
The things and equipment inside room 415 should be
taken out. In transforming a room into a music studio, the
things inside it should be taken out since it was not
designed to be placed inside a music studio. The things
include chairs, projector, tables, and whiteboard.
3. Apply Acoustic Treatment
Once the clearing out of room was done, acoustic
treatment should be done in the room. The proponents first
design the music room. The room was designed to have
acoustic absorption in order for the direct sound from the
 instrument to remain. However, the whole room was not Guitar 2 0.26 0.6 0.53 0.03 Vinyl
covered with acoustic absorption foams, but also with amplifiers
diffusors. Diffusors work by scattering reflections so Piano 1 1.54 2.40 1.016 0.03 Glass
Drums 1 2 0.9 1.12 0.99 Metal
nothing gets trapped, and the natural tone is preserved. Bass
traps, acoustic panels, and diffusers can be used for acoustic
treatment. The mic used also affects the acoustic in the
room. With this, close - miking can be used by increasing B. Computation of the Surface Area and Volume of each item
the portion of direct sound from the instrument. Dynamic of the Proposed Music Room Setup
mics can also be used since it is less sensitive. These mics
tend to pick up less ambience which is good in rooms. Total Area
The placement of the absorptive materials on the AT = Afloor Aback corner wall Afront corner wall
walls should be such that no untreated walls are directly AT = (7.69)(6.2) (0.35)(0.64) (0.12)(0.64)
opposite each other, where possible. The reverberation AT = 47.38 m2
times of the room can be varied by having the absorptive
panels mounted on hinges such that the absorptive panels New Volume of room
can be swung on their hinges to expose or hide the VR = (AT x hr) VGuitar amplifier VBass trap Vmonitor Vdrums
absorptive finishes. The incorporation of the ability to vary
VPiano VBass amplifier
the reverberation times in the room is highly recommended
VR = (47.38 m2 x 2.53 m) 0.24804 0.18052
as it will allow the musician to experiment with room
acoustics and also allow the room to be used for various 0.084564 3.755136 1.2096
musical instruments. VR = 114.366 m3
Effective Absorbing area (Se)
IV. PROPOSED MUSIC ROOM Se = 1S1 + 2S2 + 3S3 + + nSn
wall-foam Swall-foam=0.91[(1.06)(6.73)(2)+(4.84)
A. Proposed Music Studio
(2.53)+(5.44)(2.53)+(2)(0.47)(0.67)
The proposed music studio includes the equipment such as wall-foam Swall-foam=37.22
amplifiers, chairs, drums, and piano to be used by the students. celing Sceiling=0.80[(7.69)(6.2)-(0.35)(0.64)-(0.12)
Also, the proponents included the measurements of the
different absorption materials used in order for the room to be (0.64)-2(0.1697)(2.53)]=37.21
properly acoustic. doorSdoor=0.91[2.11][0.83]=1.59
personSperson=0.8(6)=4.8
chairSchair=0.14[6(0.61)(0.61)+(0.33)(0.33)]=0.40
Items Item Length Width Depth Absorption Type of airconSaircon=0.14[2(0.62)(1.59)]=0.28
no. (m) (m) (m) Coefficient material
Ceiling 1 7.69 6.2 - 0.8 Gypsum
lightsSlights=0.15[9(0.92)(0.108)]=0.13
Tiles wall-nofoam Swall-nofoam=0.01[1.32][2.53]=0.03
Floor 1 7.69 6.2 - 0.4 Vinyl diffuserSdiffuser=0.18[5.44][2.53]=2.48
Walls 4 - - 2.53 0.01 Concrete basstrapSbasstrap=0.63[0.1697(2.53)(2)]=0.54
Stools 6 0.61 0.61 - 0.14 Plastiics floorSfloor=0.4[46.518518-3(0.53)(0.6)-(0.6096)
Door 2 2.11 0.83 - 0.91 Foam
(Absorbing (0.4318)-(0.599948)(0.260858)-
foam) (1.54)(2.40)-(1.20)(0.90)-(0.1697)
Absorber 1 4.84 0.93 - 0.91 Foam
(front wall) (2.53)]=15.80
Fluorescent 9 0.92 0.108 - 0.15 Wood
bassamplifierSbassamplifier=0.03(1.9548348)=0.06
light base
Aircon 2 1.59 0.62 - 0.14 Plastics monitorSmonitor=0.03(3.6708)=0.11
Absorber 2 6.73 1.06 - 0.91 Foam acousticguitarSAcousticguitar=0.03(1.24308)=0.04
(side walls) pianoSpiano=0.03(15.39808)=0.4619
Absorbing 1 0.64 0.35 - 0.91 Foam drumsSdrums=0.99(6.864)=6.79536
foam (front
corner)
Absorbing 1 0.64 0.12 - 0.91 Foam Average ((ave) ):
foam (back =
corner)
Person 6 - - - 0.8 -
Diffuser 1 4.84 0.93 - 0.18 Wood
Bass Trap 2 0.12 0.12 2.53 0.63 Fiberglas ave = 0.5754
s
Monitor 2 0.26 0.6 0.53 0.03 Vinyl since > 0.2, use Norris Eyring Equation
(Speaker)
Bass 1 0.4318 0.609 0.685 0.03 Vinyl
amplifier 6 8 Norris Eyring Equation:
 RT60 = 0.161

RT60 = 0.161

RT60 = 0.11 sec

V. CONCLUSION
C. Proposed Music Room Setup The reverberation time of each room varies on the
material used, as well as the equipment inside the room. The
computed RT60 of room 415 is 0.25 seconds. The
reverberation time is within the standard reverberation time
of 0.3 seconds and below for a music studio. The group
implemented proper acoustical treatment on room 415 and
gained a new RT60 of 0.11 seconds to further enhance the
sound quality of the room.

REFERENCES

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Lipschitz-Hankel type involving products of Bessel functions, Phil.
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(references)
[2] J. Clerk Maxwell, Design of Music Studio, 3rd ed., vol. 2. Oxford:
Clarendon, 1892, pp.68-73.
[3] I.S. Jacobs and C.P. Bean, Absorption materials, vol. III, G.T. Rado and
H. Suhl, Eds. New York: Academic, 1963, pp. 271-350.
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University Science, 1989.