THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CONCERT HALL ACOUSTICS

VIII. CONCLUSIONS

It is clear that this technology can be used to effectively model trends in concert halls. Conductors can use this technology to make decisions on concert programs and on orchestra setup. It can also be used as it has in this instance to eliminate hall features that may impede or enhance the listening experience.

Acoustical consultants and building architects can clearly assess the relative importance several decisions they make in designing and building (or refurbishing) a hall. Choices for hall shape and volume, building materials for the walls, ceiling and floor, location and sizes of reflectors, reverberation chambers are but a sample of issues to be evaluated versus cost and schedule.

The hypothesis set forth in this paper is a qualitative one and rather subjective. Even so, there are several cases in this study where simulation results educated the analyst in understanding the performance characteristics of an existing or hypothetical hall. These insights clearly can aid the builder in anticipating problems and making design modifications that ultimately improve the final sound of the hall. Likewise, performers who have viewed these results have gotten useful information for improving a performance. In the past this has been done by ear. The cause of a problem is not necessarily understood, so the solution (if any) is arrived at through trial and error. Results of computational acoustics can supplement this information and provide insight into practical solutions and eliminate some of the guesswork.