ACOUSTIC FAULTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19607, 20 June 1935, Page 8

ACOUSTIC FAULTS.

PROBLEM OF THEATRES. SOLVED BY NEW SYSTEM. With the development of sound production and reproduction an increasing problem has been sound acoustics in buildings. Various mediums have been employed to improve the sound properties of buildings where faulty acouslics or echoes affect, the reproduction of sound, one of ’the best known methods being the draping of the walls with felt pads, but as the result of extensive research a new and more efficient system has been evolved in Hie use of sound absorbent hoards, a pulpy material which has tlio effect of absorbing or deadening sound, and thus preventing echoes, which are the principal cause of poor acoustics. Like light, sound 'can he absorbed, and Uiis is the function of the new method, which is being adopted by many Theatres. Various thicknesses of Hie absorbent material arc placed where it is found they are required most, and in llii-s way it has been found that llie acoustic properties of the buildings have been much improved. Vitality Maintained. The latest method of sound reproduction in cinemas is the M'estern Electric wide sound recording. The wide range system operates five loud •speakers, as against llie one or two of the ordinary standard equipment, and embraces an octavo higher and lower. "With Hie standard equipment the sound frequency waves range from 00 to 7000, but the wide range lakes in from 30 Io 15,000, with a consequent gain in tonal quality, while I lie bloom or vitality in Hie sound is maintained. With this tremendous sound frequency range llie Slate Theatre in Hamilton has experienced in Llie past •some difficulty with clarity of tone, bnL this has been overcome by the use of the new sound absorbeht hoards. The inside walUtof the theatre have been remodelled and plans prepared by and carried out under the supervision of an overseas engineer of Iho Western Electric Company, using the latest scientific methods and clarity of lone lias been secured with tlie. retention of tonal effects and vitality. As a result of Ibis work the theatre lias been placed among the leading theatres of llie Dominion from llie point of view of ucutislic properties.