Room Acoustics Service

Akustikon has specialised in room acoustics since the company was founded in 1984. This specialisation has led to our involvement in interesting major projects in the theatre and music sectors.

Design
Through our specialisation in room acoustics, we have gained extensive experience in acoustical design of theatres and music venues. In this type of project, it is necessary to incorporate the client`s specific needs and requirements into a functional building, while also respecting the high ambitions of the architect

Calculation Software
Akustikon has long used acoustic calculation software as a planning tool. As early as 1984, we developed our own ray calculation programme, RAYCALC, which we continued to develop for several years, and which we also sold to users such as Sintef/ELAB at the Norwegian University of Technology (Norges Tekniska Högskola). Today, we use this programme alongside the CATT programme, which can be used for auralisation (making the calculated results audible), while our own programme is better at simulating various types and degrees of diffusion.

Ever since we started, we have regularly used these programmes for both small and large halls. This, combined with follow-up measurements and the musical expertise of our staff, has given us unique wealth of experience in utilising these programmes to describe reality. To our knowledge, no other company in the world has equivalent material for comparison between predicted and expected values. The results have been presented at international congresses, and in other contexts. At the 1995 International Congress on Acoustics (ICA) in Trondheim, Norway, over 67 comparisons (positions) were presented in 8 different halls. We also participated in an independent Round Robin test prepared by Professor Forländer at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig, Germany. The results showed a high level of agreement between predicted values derived with RAYCALC and actual measured values. Both programmes are able to calculate all significant acoustic parameters. Auralisation using CATT is a useful complement. The existing criteria are still fairly approximate. We have used auralisation in many projects in recent years, and are familiar with its opportunities and limitations.

Model simulation
We also use model simulation, particularly when working with smaller rooms such as audio control rooms when we study lower frequencies.

Room acoustical measurement
In addition to sound level meters and real time analysers, we mainly use the MLSSA and WinMLS measuring systems when performing room acoustical measurements. We have also participated in a joint Nordic project, producing the new proposal, "Measurement methods for testing and quality control of electro-acoustical systems" for NORDTEST, and have presented articles for conferences on room acoustical measurement technique.

Music
Most of Akustikon`s staff are involved in music, and some participate in the extra chorus at the Gothenburg Opera (Göteborgsoperan).

Thanks to this experience, combined with experience gained through follow-up work at the Gothenburg Opera and other opera-related projects, we are familiar with the working routines of opera companies. Generally, we do our best to involve pure music-acoustical issues in our projects.

Research and development
To keep abreast with theoretical research and development in the field of room acoustics, we conduct a collaboration with the Chalmers Room Acoustic Group (CRAG) under the direction of Professor Mendel Kleiner. With the aid of the Foundation for Technology Transfer (Teknikbrostiftelsen), we have also had a room acoustics researcher (a pre-doctoral student) working with us, to promote a mutual exchange between research and consulting. We also provide guidance and supervision for students working on master thesis at Chalmers University of Technology.