Unit 6

Points to be cover

1. Studio acoustics & reverberation

2. P.A. system for auditorium
3. acoustic chambers
4. Cordless microphone system
5. special types of speakers & microphones,
6. Digital Radio Receiver
7. Satellite radio reception.

Session 1
1. Studio Acoustics:
A good sound production basically depends on quality of sound generated but it may extremely
effect by medium through or from which comes after reflection.
Acoustics is defined as the science
which deals with transmission of sound waves through different media including reflection,
refraction, diffraction, absorption and interface. Design of auditorium, theatres and Studios also
included.
Important role of studio acoustics (SA) is to identify problems like:
1. Echo of clapping
2. Leakage in mic signals.
3. Outside voices in the recordings.

2. Reverberation
Reverberation is the collection of reflected sounds from the surfaces in an enclosure like
an auditorium. Reverberation is frequency dependent.

Need of reverberation:
The reverberant sound dies in auditorium with time as sound energy is absorbed by
multiple interaction. In a more reflective room, it will take longer for the sound to
 die away and the room is said to be 'live'. Also in a very absorbent room, the sound
will die quickly.

For optimal performance of auditorium following parameter related reverberation

must be considered.
I. Reverberation time
II. The length of the decay

I. Reverberation time:
In order to save sound quality a standard reverberation time has been defined as
time for the sound to die away to a level 60 decibels below its original level.

Factors on which Reverberation Time Depends:

Reverberation time depends on:

1. Volume of room
2. Surface area
3. Absorption coefficient of the surface area
4. Velocity of sound
Also it can be calculated as
𝑉
𝑇 = 55.3 𝑐𝑎

Where c is velocity of sound = 344 m/sec

V=Volume of room
a=Total absorption which depends on the surface area of each surface and its
absorption coefficient defined as
 𝑎 = ∑ 𝛼𝑺

= 𝛼 1S1 + 𝛼 2S2 + 𝛼3S3+ 𝛼 3S3 ---------

Where 𝛼1= absorption coefficient of surface area S1

Desirable Reverberation time:

II. The length of the decay

The diagram below depicts the sound received by a single listener as a function
of time as a result of a sharp sound pulse some distance away. The direct sound
received is followed by distinct reflected sounds and then a collection of many
reflected sounds which blend and overlap into what is called reverberation.
The delay between the direct sound and the first reflected sound is a significant
characteristic for an auditorium, though not as important as the overall
reverberation time.
 Figure: Modelling reverberant sound decay
Sample measurements show a straight line decrease of the decibel level, which permits
determination of the reverberation time.