The Acentech acoustical checkout: Measuring and listening to completed performance spaces

Abstract

Visiting a completed performance space is an invaluable learning opportunity. Our practice at Acentech has evolved to include approximately equal parts measurement and listening. We report relevant findings to the owner and design team; but often, much of the information that we collect is for our own internal research and development. This presentation will summarize our process for evaluating a completed performance space, including measurement, visualization, and analysis of spatial impulse responses, listening to and recording speech and music in the room, and listening to calibrated convolutions of measured spatial impulse responses with anechoic audio. Ideas for future analysis tools and related research efforts will also be discussed.