Acoustic Materials from Fundamental Acoustic Research (Belgium)
By Nikita Stepanov

From the point of view of formation of sound field there exists division on primary, studio premises, in which sound extraction and its taking by microphones, and secondary assigned for amplification, in particular, these are different control projection booths. For many times we had to certain in existence of tight connection between loudspeakers and acoustics of studio premises. Diffuseness on acoustic field of premise is very important for correct sound control. Each sound engineer knows that characteristics of studio of classical music recording are different from characteristics of studio assigned for dance music recording. Differences of acoustic parameters of studio volumes are entirely defined by their assignment and classification. When creation of studio acoustic volumes it is necessary to consider many factors, where each part of acoustic mounting provides parameters so that technical characteristics of premise achieved estimate values. That allows using studio (for different recordings is used alternating acoustic) and loudspeakers (control monitors) maximum effectively. That philosophy always helped development of FarAR Company and received performance in following constructions and products:

Different ways of implementation of company FAR acoustic materials

• Prefab Studio is collapsible construction, which has set acoustic parameters, build-in into available premise, individual order;
• Silent Studio is module acoustic cabin, few models;
• Acoustical Panels are acoustic panels of different assignment, few models;
• Absorber Panels are absorbing panels;
• Basstrap Panels are low-frequency absorbing panels;
• Helmholtz Resonators;
• Schroeder Diffusors;
• Corner Resonators.

Architectural acoustics has priority meaning for creation of good working conditions in studio

Any premise (excluding anechoic room) is never neutral in sound, it always brings some coloration into sound perception, as all room surfaces (walls, ceiling, etc) act as filters, which influence phase as well as frequency characteristic of sound.

Using in components of collapsible construction Prefab Studio different high quality materials, which influence different areas of sound diapason FAR Company achieves high acoustic characteristics. This conception is a key to solution of most difficult tasks, which can be met during acoustic studio and projection booths mounting. Sizes of premise and reflecting surfaces create artificial equalization by changing frequency characteristics and giving coloring to sound perception.

Many effects distort sound perception during listening:

• modal conditions (low-frequency wave condition);
• resonance standing waves (lower medium and medium frequencies);
• flatters (high-frequency standing waves);
• reflection (reverberation time).

Conception of collapsible constructions PreFAB provides effective decision of all problems listed above.

Low-frequency waves are very long. Control of these waves is a very difficult thing, especially in studio. Unskillful control of these ways will surely lead to worsening of sound perception. Mechanical absorption through membranes of wall collapsible construction PreFAB guarantees maximum efficiency in high-frequency diapason. Control of medium is achieved by the use of Helmholtz Resonators (ceiling part of construction). Ceiling panels are specially constructed for decision of problems in 500...3000 Hz diapason and maximum effectively operate exactly in that specific zone. Reflection surfaces are regulated due to absorbing materials that are used in construction of upper parts of wall panels.

Reverberation time of PreFAB collapsible construction is represented in following table:

Due to module construction PreFAB studio can be easily assembled during two-three days. And it is not necessary to be qualified fitter-carpenter. Just two people can quickly build studio following assembly instructions.

This studio has lots of advantages:

• high efficiency during normalization of reverberation time;
• aesthetic mounting;
• quickness and simplicity of setting;
• short term studio taking out of exploitation;
• before-set cable channels.

Acoustical Panels

Don't rush to "start" the studio, equalize its with FAR acoustic panels!

It won't be out of place to repeat that architectural acoustic has priority meaning for creation of good working conditions in studio. Created on the base of high quality materials, which influence different parts of sound diapason specter, multi-functional acoustic panels of FAR Company allow solving all acoustic problems effectively. Conception of multi0functionality is a key to solution of most difficult tasks that can be met during mounting of studios and projection booths.

Absorber Panels

Reverberation time is directly connected with applied absorbing materials. They normalize reflected noises, providing high sound quality. Different models of absorbing materials represented by FAR Company offer optimal decisions. Uniting of few of them will guarantee maximum efficiency.

Model 1 consists of internal Helmholtz Resonator, tuned on 1000 Hz frequency and specially sorted and processed resonant membrane tuned on 80 Hz frequency. Acoustic absorbing panel of model 1 is quite effective for both zones of acoustic diapason.

Model2 is perspective acoustic panel, which provides quality sound absorption. Panel is especially effective in recording studios where hiss strongly show up. Front size of panel is finished by beautiful cloth and can be easily assembled on any surface. In spite of that this panel is one of the simplest it can be easily fixed on ceiling, where effect from its using increases.

Model 3 resembles model 1, but due to absence of resonant membrane this acoustic panel shouldn't be used in low-frequency diapason. However when using in medium and high-frequency diapason, model 3 is just the thing. It has some advantages comparing with the model 1, more specifically, it is simpler and easier in assembly.

Basstrap Panels - low-frequency absorbing panels

Low-frequency diapason is long waves. Low-frequency absorbers of FAR Company are specially developed for working in that diapason.

Model 1 has membrane absorber, which provides maximum absorption at 125 Hz frequency. That corner low-frequency absorber is projected like triangle. Efficiency is reached due to:

• one-sided resonant panel with maximum efficiency on 125 Hz frequency;
• front entry port, closed by smooth cellular body and decorative cloth, which absorbs on frequencies higher than 750 Hz

Model 2 is equipped with membrane absorber and provides maximum absorption on frequency of 80 Hz. This is corner low-frequency absorber projected like triangle. Efficiency is achieved due to:

• two resonant panels with maximum absorption on 125 Hz frequency;
• port, projected like phase-inverter (as in subbuffer), which connects with the help of pipe premise volume with internal volume of basstrap absorber, allowing to low-frequency wave to interact with internal membrane on 80 Hz frequency.

Front side of absorber is done from natural wood and is not effective absorber in high-frequency diapason.

Helmholtz Resonators

In spite of that sound absorbing quality has one of primary tasks, too big absorption can spoil desired effect. Helmholtz Resonators, which absorb sound signal in 500...1000 Hz diapason deal with that task effectively.

Schroeder Diffusors

Receiving of quality sound reflection in closed place is priority task in FAR Company conception. Schroeder Diffusors based on quadratic residual rows of great acoustic-theoretic of our time Manfred Schroeder is effective instrument for receiving of diffuse sound with the help of combination of small diffuse panels high-quality sound in 500...1000 Hz diapason is achieved.

Corner Resonators

Corner resonators are powerful means for operation in small recording studios where they provide quality sound reproduction in diapason of medium frequencies of 250...1000 Hz. When operating on frequencies higher than 1 kHz that convex resonator plays diffuser's part, by giving natural brightness to the sound.

For provision to any musical composition some character, peculiar only to it, it is necessary to use defined acoustic mounting in studio as well as in projection booth, for 100 % realization of control monitors opportunities and entire sound section in general.

"StudiTech" Company.

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