Everything Acoustic!
Today's acousticians need a new set of tools to do their jobs. These AcousticTools™ include the traditional passive analog and RPG's digital surface treatment products, in addition to design software, auralization software / hardware and electronic architecture systems. RPG believes that today's architectural acoustics vendors need to be more than distributors, they need to collaborate with the acousticians, speak their language and offer services as well as products. For these reasons, RPG now offers boundary element optimization services as part of its CHAOS program and is establishing a 40 Hz - 282 Hz low frequency impedance tube measurement system. We invite you to think of RPG as your full - service, everything - acoustic provider.

Dr. Peter D'Antonio Fellowship Announcement
RPG President/CEO Dr. Peter D'Antonio has been elected a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. Announcement of the election and presentation of the Fellowship certificate will be made during the plenary session at the Newport Beach, California meeting of the Acoustical Society of America December 4-8, 2000. The citation reads "For contributions to the applications of sound diffusion from architectural surfaces". We invite you all to attend.

Surface Diffusion in Room Acoustics
We have had many requests about how to obtain copies of the Applied Acoustics special edition on Surface Diffusion in Room Acoustics. The special edition publication of "Surface Diffusion in Room Acoustics", Volume 60, No. 2 (June 2000) is available at www.elsevier.com. We highly recommend this special edition, since it provides a comprehensive review of the design, characterization and standards research for sound diffusing surfaces. Read more June Diffuse News Archives.

SIAP for Southeast Christian Church
Michael Garrison & Associates have specialized in worship space design for over 16 years, with a name change from HIS Sound to MGA and relocation from Portland to Fresno, CA in 1991. RPG has enjoyed a wonderful collaborative relationship with MGA and was thrilled to provide our BAD™ Panel technology for the sanctuary along with a full SIAP system. It was an exciting challenge because Southeastern Christian Church's new $31 million, 294,100 sq. ft. Worship Center seats over 9,000 people and essentially behaves acoustically like an arena. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the seven-story, nearly circular-shaped structure features white precast concrete exterior wall panels and a copper-colored roof. A four-story, six-sided gondola that drops down from the center of the ceiling features large television screens on five of its six sides and also houses a loudspeaker array. MGA's application of BAD™ Panels created a performance hall acoustic in an arena-size building. David Kennedy, MGA director of design services, indicated that "The BAD panels allowed MGA to significantly reduce the use of angled wall elements, thereby lowering construction costs". The SIAP enhancement system seamlessly fuses with the sound reinforcement system providing the appropriate presentation of acoustic and amplified sound. Much of the design was based on achieving the warmth and intimacy found in the church's previous 2,500-seat worship center, said David Miller, principal with David E. Miller Architect (DEMA), the project's Orange, California-based architect. Read more www.bdcmag.com.

RPG Offers Boundary Element Optimization Service
The power of boundary element scattering predictions is well known in many parts of the acoustics industry. However, because of the high cost of commercial boundary element programs, acousticians involved with architectural acoustics have not benefitted from this technique. RPG has developed a powerful boundary element capability that can evaluate potential stage canopies, acoustical shells or wall shaping as well as optimize shape motifs provided by the client or the architect. RPG provides this service through its Collaborative Holistic Acoustical Optimization Service, CHAOS. Today several facilities have benefitted from this design capability and we invite you to evaluate this design approach on your next project.

New Triffusor Absorption Data
RPG's Triffusor® passive variable acoustics system is finding increasing application in performance and music facilities. RPG now offers new C423 random incidence absorption data on a bank of (6) 6.5'(H) x 2' (Side) Triffusors®. Data were measured at IBM's Hudson Valley Acoustics Lab for the Triffusor® system in its reflective, absorptive and diffusive modes in a frame as it would be installed in a facility. The data illustrate the variable acoustics possible with the Triffusor system and also indicate the new low frequency absorption capability the system now offers.

RPG Announces Topakustik and Topperfo Absorptive Wood System
In a continuing effort to broaden the acoustical palette, RPG now announces a major new product line of decorative absorptive wood systems.

The product line consists of TOPAKUSTIK, an attractive and durable perforated wooden panel or plank system with a parallel-grooved facia and TOPPERFO, a wooden panel with a regular array of holes ranging from 1 mm to 8 mm.

Topakustiks is available in a mid-high (M) and also a low-mid frequency (T) system. This allows two different absorption characteristics for a wide range of absorption options with the same visual appearance.

The mid-high M system achieves absorption over a wide range of frequencies by utilizing a range of hold diameters, spacings and air cavity depths. A typical 5/3M system consists of a 5 mm wide flat reflective area and a 3 mm wide slot. The panel is perforated with a 12 mm diameter hole with an open area of 12%.

The low-mid T system utilized dual diameter holes. The same 5/3T system consists of a 5 mm wide reflective section, a 3 mm wide slot, a 3 mm hole at the face (for pleasing appearance), expanding into a 12 mm hole through the rest of the panel. Thus the 5/3T system offers open areas of 3 and 31%.

The TOPPERFO system is also available in a mid-high frequency M system and a low-mid T system. The M system offers a single diameter hole ranging in diameter from 3 to 8 mm on 16 mm centers. The 16/16/6 M system consists of 6 mm holes on 16 mm centers with a percent open area of 11%. The 16/16/12-3 T system consists of dual diameter holes of 3 mm at the face and 12 mm at the rear offering 2.8 and 44.1% open area.

The core is fire-rated MDF or non-combustible gypsum. Standard veneers are offered and special veneers are available on order. Topakustik is available in panels up to 1200 mm and planks of 128 mm width. Various lenghts are available. Topperfo is available in a wide variety of panel sizes. Standard thickness is 17 mm with 19 mm thicknesses available for extra heavy duty applications, like gymnasiums.

RPG To Distribute For Lake Technology
Lake Technology is a high technology company based in Sydney, Australia. Lake has more than 40 patents and patent applications pending in digital signal processing (DSP), 1-bit signal processing, digital communications technology, video games, internet media and related product areas. The company commercializes its innovations via proprietary products and licensing and has one of the world's leading research and development teams in audio and DSP at its Sydney research laboratories.The company originated the technology behind 'Dolby Headphone' a system for providing cinema-quality surround sound over ordinary headphones.

RPG is proud to announce its appointment by Lake Technology as a distributor of its line of convolution hardware to the architectural acoustics industry. The range includes the CP4 and Huron convolution platforms.

The CP4 is an affordable real time convolver with zero latency, meaning that once you have downloaded an experimental impulse response or a SIM file from CATT Acoustics you can instantly audition the room with any sound source in real time, for as long as you like.

The Huron system is the big brother of the CP4, allowing more complex interactive audio simulations including walk-troughs. "The CP4 and Huron systems are powerful tools which are seeing an increasing use in the architectural market. We are very delighted to have RPG as a distributor in the US, they have an excellent global reputation", said Patrick Flanagan, Sales Manager for the Huron and CP4. Dr. Peter D'Antonio, President of RPG, indicated that "RPG is significantly expanding its Digital Acoustical Palette and is very excited to add Lake Technology to its growing list of digital products. The Lake technology is a natural extension of our collaboration with CATT Acoustics and offers the architectural acoustics community complete auralization capability."

Diffuse Seminars
RPG is now offering regular educational Diffuse Seminars for acousticians, sound contractors, home theater system integrators, architects, and other specifying consultants to apprise the industry of our research, new products, application assistance, and an introduction to RPG's new Room Optimizer™, Shape Optimizer, and CATT Acoustics software. The press is also welcome.

The response to these educational seminars has been very enthusiastic. The seminar dates for 2000 are now available.

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail to info@rpginc.com, contact your local rep or call Jeff Angel at 301-249-0044.

RPG Factory Summer Shutdown
This year RPG will close its production facility during the week of August 14-20th. We announce this early so that all of our specifiers, clients and representatives can plan their orders and deliveries accordingly.