Constellation: A hybrid active accoustic system

Abstract

Constellation is a hybrid active acoustic system that has been used in rooms ranging in size from a virtual reality cave to a sports arena. Constellation has been shown to control both the effective absorption of a room as well as the effective cubic volume. This paper will review how early reflections, effective absorption, and effective cubic volume have been controlled in rooms of various sizes. Recently, there has been a trend of larger classical ensembles performing in smaller venues. If the strength of the room is held constant, but the cubic volume is cut in half, the reverberation time is also cut in half. If a room has exclusively physical acoustics, it is impossible to replicate both the strength and reverberation time of a symphony hall in a space that is considerably smaller (such as a rehearsal room). A special emphasis will be made on how Constellation is uniquely suited to address this challenge.