Therefore, such a concert hall shape affects perceived dynamic range even though rooms itself amplify all passages the same amount.
"Dynamic expression is an inseparable part of music. For this reason, a concert hall's ability to transmit the orchestra's played dynamics is one of the most important criteria of good acoustics. Our research is the first that explains how halls influence perception of dynamic expression," Dr. Jukka Pätynen says.
The importance of early lateral reflections to good concert hall acoustics has been known for decades. Earlier, they were believed to widen the perceived overall sound image and increase the perceived closeness of the sound. Now, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America has published an article that expands our understanding of how perception of dynamic musical content depends on concert hall acoustics. The findings will lead to better concert hall designs than ever before.
This is the Berlin Philharmonie.
(Photo Credit: Aalto University)
Dr. Jukka Pätynen works as a post-doctoral researcher in Tapio Lokki's Virtual Acoustics research group. The group aims to understand how room acoustics affect sound signals, and how people perceive room acoustic properties. Research focuses on improved prediction and understanding of concert halls and other acoustically demanding spaces. Notably, the concert hall acoustic research group has developed methods, unique in the world, that are described in a second article that was just featured on the cover of Physics Today: http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/article/67/1/10.1063/PT.3.2242
This is the Musikverein Vienna.
(Photo Credit: Aalto University)
This is the Stadthalle Wuppertal.
(Photo Credit: Aalto University)
Source: Aalto University