What Is RT60? RT60 (reverberation time) is the number of seconds it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB after the source stops — effectively, how long a room “rings.” A recording studio measures around 0.3 seconds. A cathedral can stretch past 3.0 seconds. Hitting the right RT60 target is the single biggest lever […]
23
May
May
What Is an OITC Rating? OITC (Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class) measures how well an exterior wall, window, or door blocks outdoor noise from entering a building. Unlike STC, which uses a speech-weighted spectrum to evaluate interior partitions, OITC uses a reference noise spectrum dominated by low-frequency content — traffic rumble, aircraft, trains — exactly what you […]
22
May
May
Decibel levels for everyday sounds — from a whisper (30 dB) to a jet engine (140 dB) — plus OSHA safe exposure limits and hearing damage thresholds.
22
May
May
Quick Overview How Sound Reaches the Body Sound is a pressure wave. Air molecules oscillate, the wave moves outward, and any object in its path picks up some of that mechanical energy. The human body is about 60% water and full of resonant cavities, so it conducts sound well at almost every frequency the ear […]
27
Apr
Apr
Project Overview: Modern Sanctuary Acoustic Design Modern sanctuary acoustic design starts before the construction drawings finish, not after the congregation moves in. The 8,000 SF Cornerstone build paired a seamless acoustic plaster ceiling with conventional ACT tile across the rear field and a 60-foot integrated diffuser to handle the long-axis reflections. The full scope landed […]
10
Apr
Apr
Project Overview: FSU Academic Building Acoustical Scope Academic building acoustic scopes split across a half-dozen space types in a single bid package, from lecture halls and atria to acoustic panels for university buildings. The FSU College of Business build spanned a multi-story atrium, large-format lecture halls, flexible classrooms, and collaborative student areas, each demanding a […]
05
Apr
Apr
Quick Overview Why STC and OITC Matter in Building Acoustics STC and OITC are two of the most commonly misunderstood sound ratings in architectural specs. STC (Sound Transmission Class) measures indoor airborne noise like speech and TV. OITC (Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class) measures exterior environmental noise like traffic, rail, and aircraft. When the wrong rating is […]
01
Apr
Apr
Quick Overview on ACT Why Acoustic Ceilings Matter More Than You Think Most people overlook the ceiling when designing a quiet room — yet it’s often the largest reflective surface in the space. Every phone call, footstep, and HVAC hum bounces off that hard drywall or tile and spreads throughout the room. That’s why so […]
25
Mar
Mar
Project Overview: Specialty Ceilings for a High-End Office This was a full acoustic scope on a single-tenant fit-out, not a single-product retrofit. The 12th-floor office build-out called for four different ceiling and wall systems coordinated alongside electrical, sprinkler, and finish trades. The whole acoustic package landed before the tenant moved in, which is the right […]
07
Nov
Nov
The Foundation of a Great Studio You can spend thousands on microphones, monitors, and gear — but if your room leaks sound, none of it matters. The difference between a hobby space and a true recording or rehearsal room comes down to one thing: acoustic control. Soundproofing a music room isn’t just about keeping neighbors […]