The Georgia Public Broadcast Studio has been expanding their broadcast capabilities and required three additional recording studios to meet their capacity needs. During the expansion the team reached out to Commercial Acoustics to provide acoustic treatments in the recording rooms. After an independent acoustic consultant determined the thickness and area of the acoustic treatment needed, Commercial Acoustics was contracted to build the large acoustic sound panels specified and install them in the studio.
The acoustic panels were wood-framed in order to prevent any damage during shipment and installation. Acoustically transparent acoustic fabric was wrapped on the panels to ensure maximum NRC, or absorption coefficient.
Acoustic Panel Installation for Broadcast Studio
Due to the thickness and weight of the panels, they needed to be supported by a separate bracket system underneath, while still being impaled and adhered to the walls. This allowed 4 inch thick panels to be wall mounted in order to minimize flutter echo between parallel walls. These thicker panels achieve acoustic absorption coefficient of 1.0 for as low as 250 Hz; much lower than standard acoustic treatments can reach.
Due to architectural field changes, several of the panels needed to be field-modified in order to fit into the space and still allow an aesthetic finish.
Acoustic Panel Installation Procedures
With Acoustic Panels, it is critical to perform a “white glove” installation, since the fabric can get dirty and stained on job sites. Even moving ladders or drilling pilot holes can create enough dust to permanently damage a panel. We use low-poly wrap to protect panels during installation, and make sure to change gloves whenever another product or tool is handled.
Reverberation tests are performed before and after installation to determine its effectiveness. While Sabins Calculations and other modeling software programs can predict with reasonable accuracy the expected RT60 (reverberation time) of a room, there are numerous factors that are very difficult to model, including the geometric adjustment needed for non-rectangular rooms.
While Sabins formula adjusts for wall, floor, and ceiling areas, and their associated finishes, it does not adjust for circular- or other-shaped walls. By performing field tests with a calibrated microphone after installation, the certified contractor can determine the effectiveness of the treatment, and decide if additional treatment may be necessary in the space.
See How Much Acoustic Absorption You Need
Acoustic Panels for Recording Studios
Broadcast Studio Acoustics
Commercial Acoustics has partnered with soundproofing contractors in Atlanta and across the Southeast to ensure high quality solutions for our clients. Rather than having drywall contractors or other subs (Audio/Visual, etc.) installing acoustic sound panels and soundproofing products, we qualify each of our installers so that the resulting product is to the clients’ specifications.
If you think your space requires acoustic treatment, contact Commercial Acoustics to set up a consultation and we’ll help you with all of your soundproofing needs.
