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The effect of Position to Sound Source on the Intensity of different Frequencies in Swarthout Recital Hall FINDING THE ACOUSTIC SWEET SPOT Ann Gorsuch University of Kansas, Mathematics Collaborators: Sarah Legresley, Kip Haaheim, Brad Williamson, Steve Obenhaus, Andrew Jackson

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HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SVYJE3L57ZY What is the acoustic sweet spot? Its a magical place where: -all frequencies are balanced. -the volume is ideal Dealing with THREE variables: frequency, volume, and spot (location)

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BIG QUESTION: How do FREQUENCY, POSITION, and VOLUME relate in the concert venue setting?

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QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES 1.Is the hall symmetric? 2.How does angle affect sound intensity? 3.How does angle affect certain frequencies? Find the acoustical sweet spots.

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METHODS

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WENT TO SWARTHOUT

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TOOK MEASUREMENTS WITH A DECIBEL READER AT EACH FOOT ON 5 DIFFERENT ANGLES

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USING A METRONOME, A LONG RANGER, AND MY FRIEND ANDY

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LAYOUT

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RESULTS

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VISUALS: CONTOUR MAP Low FrequencyMid FrequencyHigh Frequency 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 108 100 96 92 88 84 80 76 72 68 64 117 112 107 102 97 92 87 82 77 72 67 Notice the maximum dB for each f

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VISUAL: POINTS Low Frequency Mid Frequency High Frequency LIGHTER is LOUDER The darker the blue, the quieter the sound

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RESULTS 1. The hall is symmetric. Paired t-test

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2. HOW DOES ANGLE AFFECT SOUND INTENSITY? Outside 30 degrees there was a significant difference in the intensity of sound compared to the center reading in all frequencies. From the visuals: There was more variance in the front and sides than the back stage* -back stage= consistently worse -front = inconsistent but better Directly back stage (180 degrees) differs less than 90 and 135 degrees. SAFE ZONE

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Low frequencies dissipate slower in all directions. Mid frequencies start to fail on the sides. High frequencies dissipate quickly in all directions Especially directly behind. 3. HOW DOES ANGLE AFFECT CERTAIN FREQUENCIES? LOW MID HIGH MID HIGH

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DISCUSSION -Sweet spots seem random. -Possible Error: Accuracy of the reader and my measuring string -Would results be different for a different venue? -Create a model?

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RELEVANCE: WHY CREATE A MODEL? -backstage passes/seats -hearing concerns -hearing impaired -performers standpoint -listeners enjoyment

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THANK YOU! Kip Haaheim Sarah Legresley Brad Williamson Steve Obenhaus Andrew Jackson Pam Wyssenbach