|
|
|
XM Satellite Radio, Washington, DC
Headquarters and Broadcast Facility
Studios Architecture, Washington, DC
"XM's Broadcast Operations Control Room is their version of "mission control." Here, the outgoing signals for 100 channels of digital audio are checked for integrity before being beamed up to their orbiting satellites. In the room, it is not uncommon for operators to simultaneously monitor as many as six or even eight different audio sources. Needless to say, in a space like this absorption is critical; but, for XM, and designer Abram Goodrich at Studios Architecture it was also critical to treat this room as a showcase, exposing the operations to view behind expanses of glass wall.
Studios Architecture chose to use Topperfo® in the form of a radiused, "monolithic" white ceiling plane for both its acoustical properties and sleek, high-tech look. The monolithic plane is only interrupted by an "oculus", which focuses air, light, and audio onto the room's Command Control chair. In addition to the sleek look and acoustical qualities, the white Topperfo® also serves as a great reflector for the colored light emanating from the glass floor below!"
"Currently, we are working with acoustical consultant Francis Daniel on a state-of-the-art live performance and recording studio, which will complete XM's Broadcast Facility," says Guy Martin, Principal-in-Charge at Studios Architecture. "The B.O.C. may pale in comparison when we're done. RPG products will figure prominently in the design."
Announcing BASWA®phon:
The smooth, seamless acoustic plaster system
Acousticians have long sought an absorptive, flat, seamless and durable plastered finish to satisfy the aesthetic requirements of architects and clients. RPG® is now offering a new patented field-applied system that provides exceptional absorption, a strikingly beautiful appearance, with integral coloring and cleaning possibilities. BASWA®phon offers a long awaited solution and is finding immediate application in architectural acoustics. Installation process and details and now available. Read More
RPG technology used in new Widescreen Review Laboratory
Widescreen Review®, "The Essential Home Theatre Resource™," has moved into its new headquarters after outgrowing its old offices. Owners Gary and Marlene Reber, who founded the magazine and other WSR Publishing Inc. ventures, including WidescreenReview.com, SurroundMusic.net and WebDVD Publishing, have purchased a new 6,000 square foot building in Temecula (north of San Diego), to house their fast-growing enterprises.
A key element of the new building will be an 8,000 cubic foot (26-feet deep x 21-feet 8.6-inch wide x 13-feet 11.9-inch high) state-of-the-art reference theatre that will serve as Widescreen Review's and Surround Music's review laboratory. . RPG's role was to design a variable acoustic laboratory environment. However, RPG does not sell its design services, we work with professional acousticians and home theater designers. Dr. D'Antonio, accepted this task because, involvement in an experimental laboratory was an interesting opportunity to help provide WSR with a state of the art room, provide its readership with a scientific explanation of room design methodology, and inform the market place of RPG's leadership role in the development of measurement methodology and acoustical surface treatments. The July issue contains an extensive article on Minimizing Acoustical Distortion and illustrates a very methodical approach to home theater design, utilizing RPG's Room Sizer, Room Optimizer, Variscreen and Skyline diffusor.
For more details visit WIDESCREEN REVIEW® CREATING STATE-OF-THE-ART REFERENCE THEATRE AT NEW FACILITY.
Stay tuned to the Widescreen web page for an upcoming July seminar at which Dr. D'Antonio will discuss home theater design.
RPG restructuring representation in Europe
RPG is currently reorganizing its distribution in Europe. Please contact RPG USA directly if you are interested in representing RPG products in Europe. RPG is presently expanding its manufacturing capability in Europe and providing local representation in each country to lower the cost of its products, and provide quick and professional service to its European clients. Dr. Peter D'Antonio will personally be servicing all European acoustical consultants. This will allow easy collaboration on all optimization services that RPG offers using CHAOS. An example of how this is beginning to be a reality is the Edwina Palmer Hall. RPG invites all European acousticians to contact Dr. Peter D'Antonio and discuss the new arrangement. Dr. D'Antonio will be in Rome for the ICA in September and would like to set up meetings with interested European colleagues.
"AES information document for room acoustics and sound reinforcement systems- Characterization and measurement of surface scattering uniformity ", J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol. 49, No. 3 (March 2001)
 As Chair of SC-04-02 I wanted to thank the working group and especially my Vice Chair Dr. Trevor Cox for such an outstanding job in helping to develop the information document. After 16 years of sometimes-solitary pursuit of a uniform diffusion coefficient, it is personally extremely satisfying and rewarding to have this important document published. We began this journey in 1983 when Lambert's law was the prevailing model of uniform diffusion. A boundary-plane goniometer was developed to measure and evaluate diffusor performance. These measurements, supported by boundary element method calculations, proved that we could improve on Lambert's law, without violating the second law of thermodynamics. Lambert's law deals with point scattering of incoherent high frequency sounds and is not applicable to diffusors [J. Konnert and P. D'Antonio, "Comments on Diffusing Surfaces in Concert Halls", J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol. 37, No. 10, 839-844 (October 1989)]. The QRD, for example, explicitly uses wave interference (i.e. coherence) to produce its even diffraction lobes. For single plane (1D) diffusors we were able to show that an optimum diffuser scatters sound in the same way that a cylindrical source radiates sound. Autocorrelation metrics based on this have been highly successful in developing optimized quality diffusors that improve on earlier number theory designs initially introduced over 20 years ago . It then appeared sensible to describe an optimum (2D) hemispherical diffuser as one that mimics a spherical source. This indicates that a uniform intensity model better matches the philosophy of diffusor design practice. Based on this body of work, we now have the ability to design, predict, optimize, measure, evaluate, and move forward in standardizing the performance of sound diffusing surfaces. We encourage the acoustical consulting community to begin requesting diffusion coefficient data from manufacturers along with absorption coefficient data. In this way we can all begin incorporating diffusion coefficients into project specifications. For information on standards activities visit the web site at www.aes.org/standards. Further inquiries may be sent to standards@aes.org. If you are unable to obtain any of the draft documents from the website, please contact the Audio Engineering Society Standards Committee Draft Comments Dept. at 212-242-5589 or email: standards@aes.org.
Diffuse Seminars
RPG offers regular educational 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 Room
Sizer, Room Optimizer, Shape Optimizer, CATT Acoustics software and
Lake Technology convolution platforms. The press is also welcome. RPG is
applying for AIA Continuing Education credits. The response to these
educational seminars has been very enthusiastic. The 2001 seminar calendar will be posted next month.
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.
|
|
DiffuseNews
July
2001
|
e-ffusor memo |
| Receive
monthly e-ffusor memos from RPG by clicking the button below:
|
|
Current Projects
Ad-In Inc.
Freemont, California
AR Studios 2
Orlando, Florida
Avenue Edit
Lake Bluff, Illinois
Christ the King Norcross
Gainsville, GA
Crossroads Community Church
Seattle, WA
Crunch Recording
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Dan Bresnan, Weston
Connecticut
Deodar TOPA
Aspen, CO
Downers Grove High School North
Downers Grove, IL
Faith Chapel Christian Center
Birmingham, Alabama
Firestation Studio 2
Martindale, TX
GAP Digital Showroom
Wheaton, IL
GQ Contracting
Wickliffe, Ohio
J. Records
New York, New York
Jeff Bagwell
Palmyra, Virginia
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, PA
Mike Citrin BAD Panels
Ancramdale, New York
New York Public Library
New York, New York
Parkway Presbyterian Church
Metairie, LA
Roberts Theater
Seattle, WA
Saada Residence
Seattle, Washington
Stratosphere Studios
New York, New York
Toung Residence
Manhasset, new York
Warehouse Productions
Omaha, NE
Watertown Schools
Watertown, New York
Widescreen Review Listening Room
Temecula, CA
|
