"...how many in that sound..."
By Michael Sorokin, Vitaly Lipkovskiy,
Alexander Korolev, Vladimir Sivodedov

Any building always starts with projecting, and building of television and sound studios, especially of small sizes requires detailed projecting. In spite that lately there exists common opinion that any premise defects can be fixed by close distribution of good microphones that are insensitive to noise and don't "catch" premise acoustics this is common mistake and with the very first recording all defects "show up" and become obvious.

Purpose of acoustic projecting of atelier, studio, and projection booths is definition of main premise data, which provide according to studio assignment and chosen technology optimal acoustic conditions during sound recording. In the basis of projecting is technological task in which amount of performers and studio premise assignment is mentioned. Also the place where studio has to be situated in mentioned and characteristic of noises sources situated close to it is provided.

Acoustic project includes planning of studio or projection booth with further definition of form and geometrical sizes of each room, definition of optimal reverberation time, estimate of required soundproof and drawing up a draft of distribution of soundproof materials. Besides, estimate of noises lowering that enter the studio through ventilation and conditioning systems is included.

Main point of acoustic estimate about approaching optimal reverberation time consists of definition soundproof materials and choice of absorbents capable of providing required soundproof background. For sound field in the studio was similar (diffusive) absorbents are situated equally around enclosures with alternation of materials with different soundproof behavior. In musical and chamber studios relief architectural element (pilasters, polycylinders, etc) are widely used. Besides, absorbents are situated so that absorbents with same soundproof ratios were not situated on opposite walls.

The most important element of acoustic projecting is estimate of studio sound and vibroinsulation. Usually, studios are situated in remote places of building as far as possible from noisy rooms. But even in these conditions provision of special measures of studio protection against sound getting from outside is required. The task of studio protection against percussive noises and vibrations is the most difficult. In that case studios are set on their foundations with soundproof padding and double walls, which don't have hard connection with constructions of main building. Estimate of sound and vibroinsulation as well as choice of materials and constructions for performing is feasible only to the specialist, which have building experience and knowing contemporary building and dressing materials.

It has been ten years that European building company operates on Russian market with acoustic materials of Swiss company Ecophon, which enters the great French concern "San-Goben". In Europe acoustic materials of Ecophon can be seen in any premise, where it is necessary to receive comfort acoustic environment, original lightning and non-standard design decisions. Offices and education premises, gymnasiums and swimming pools, hospitals, shops and restaurants, concert halls and congress halls, press-centers, movies, TV, radio and sound recording studios are equipped with them.

Application field of Ecophon acoustic materials is ceiling and walls. In most premises "good acoustics" means providing of acoustical absorption for elimination of reverberation in premise with the reason of achieving of optimal reverberation time for this kind of premise. Using of effective acoustic suspended ceiling is simple and most economic way of getting desired effect. Ecophon ceiling panels have different sizes in plan, different thickness and can be flat as well as curved what allows giving any shape and volume to suspended ceiling. Besides ceiling panels have high soundproof ration in vocal frequencies (500...4000 Hz). Soundproof ratio ar = 1 means that material on 100 % absorbs the sound and doesn't reflect any sound energy. The higher is soundproof class the shorter is reverberation time. Acoustic ceiling panels can be colored in eight standard colors (from white to black). Curved ceiling panels allow creating unique individual decisions based on standard elements (lighting caissons and lamps, change between different level ceilings).

For acoustic wall processing in premise are used, together with other materials, acoustic wall panels Ecophon with 40 mm width. They can have colored surface Mastera (eight colors), cloth surface Colorado (seven colors) or other shockproof surface, strengthen with net of glass fiber Super G (three colors). Sizes of wall panels are 2,7x1,2 m.

Besides acoustic ceiling and wall panels have good exploitation conditions. They can be easily fixed and washed, resist moderate shock loading, relay to the group of nonflammable materials. The entire production of Ecophon Company is fully certified of RF territory.

Creation of contemporary interior in TV and radio studios is impossible without limpid constructions, which provide visual contact of colleagues and maximum lowering of effect of external noises on working process. In other words, glass partition with increased sound insulation is required. One of the important factors is also their aesthetic perception in general studio interior. Besides, partitions have to install fast and easily and, what is also important, provide an opportunity of replanning or dismantling. In construction of glass partition with increased sound insulation hollow aluminum profile is used. For partitions of that kind is used strengthen profile, in which one-chamber glass packet and additional glass is set according to special technology. Partitions construction provides an opportunity of setting build-in horizontal controlled (also remote) jalousies. Aluminum profile for increase of insulation index of air noise of entire construction is filled inside with special material, partly dispersive the energy of sound fluctuations inside of the partition construction. Index of air noise insulation of glassed part of partition, by results of conducted tests of real construction is 35 dB.

Acoustic room

When it is necessary to perform opaque part of partition it can be recommended to use dressing acoustic wall panels with increased soundproof of Swiss company Ecophon.

Door block for partition (of tambour type) has increased soundproof and has compacting around the entire contour. Door blades are done in the same style with partition from aluminum profile with double glassing and controlled jalousies between glasses. Index of air noise insulation of door block according to results of conducted tests is 38 dB.

Basic color of aluminum profile is white, but if it is necessary it can be colored with applying of powder technology in any color according to European RAL scale.

Rather often there appears the necessity in temporary cabins of small volume with perfected soundproof acoustic conditions. For example, these are cabins for insonification and recording of author's text to TV and radio programs, announcers' cabins, telephone cabins in press-centers, etc. Important part is aesthetic view of cabin. Analysis of this tasks complex lead a group of employees of European building company to an idea of creation of acoustic cabin of multi-purpose assignment. Two moments are put in the basis of development:

• market demand with absence of product of necessary quality and required technical characteristics, including acoustic;
• absence of domestic analogous, competitive in price and required parameters.
• In presented construction principal scheme of assembly-folding, mobile, multi-purpose cabin with perfected acoustic qualities is worked through. In ACC-1 mini model (variant "Commentator cabin") increased square of glassing around front and side sides in provided. Technical characteristics of ACC-1 mini:
• sizes are 1920x1320x2250 mm;
• weight is 690 kg;
• index of air noise cabin insulation is 31 dB.
• Assembly of cabin in other variants is possible as well, in particular, uniting with other cabins with mutual partition between them. Cabins can be produced in next variants:
• ACC-2 is two-places commentator cabin;
• ACA is announcer cabin;
• ACIS is cabin with increased sound insulation (telephone, for press-centers, etc).

ACA model provides glassing of only one side, ACIS model is done in deaf variant (without glassing) with door of increased sound insulation (36 dB).

Acoustic cabin (AC) represents assembly-folding construction, which consists of separate modules. Walls, floor and ceiling of AC are done according to special technology, which provides increased sound insulation from outside and soundproof inside of AC.

For production of AC and its internal dressing domestic as well as foreign materials (Stampa, Ecophon) are used, which have certificate of conformance and meeting hygiene requirements.

AC consists of wall modules and partition modules with width of partition of 60 mm (frame is done from aluminum profile) and also bas on vibroprotective bearings (construction is done from steel profile, height of bearing is regulated). In construction of base is provided an opportunity of its ground. All modules are connected between themselves through antihunt paddings, which provide compact vibroprotective connection. For perfection of acoustic conditions of AC internal surfaces are coated with materials of Swiss company Ecophon.

Construction of wall modules provides an opportunity to set windows of increased soundproof, which provide visual contact of employees. Windows construction allows setting from two to four glasses of different thickness. The door is weighted with increased soundproof, with compacting around the entire contour. Floor construction is vibro-discharged with increased soundproof. Floor covering is antistatic carpeting, ventilation is flowing-auxiliary and forced.

Wire of power supply and communication of all devices and facilities is done through cutoff points, assembled on the external surface of cabin. Inside of AC electrical control unit with safety locks and facility of disconnection protection, and also tabletop with acoustic covering. Over the door indicator board with sign "Microphone on" is assembled, which notifies that recording is going.

For AC transportation transport module is provided, which can be set on automobile and provides transportation of cabin in non-assembled view. Two specialists during 1.5 h do its assembly.

Peculiarities of this product are:

• perfected acoustic behavior what enlarges application field significantly;
• vibroprotected regulated bearings, which lower the influence of external vibrations on AC construction and allow horizontal setting of cabin;
• producing of all construction elements from fireproof and nonflammable materials.

There is an opportunity of additional internal dressing and equipment of AC.

"European building company".

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