Archive for category Universities
Taming the Cube with Cloudscape®
Posted by Acoustics First in Absorption, Classrooms, Customer Feedback, Manufacturing, Media Room, Product Applications, School & Educational Facilities, Teaching Rooms, Universities on October 21, 2022
When the University of the Pacific reached out to help tame the acoustics of their makerspace called “The Cube”, many different concerns were underlined about the space, its uses, and the problems they faced.

These concerns covered more than just the room dimensions – size, height, HVAC, glass walls, etc…. there were functional requirements for collaboration, classes, and workshops. The overwhelming acoustic problems involved the near constant noises generated by the vast array of equipment in this space – sewing machines, large format printers, plotting cutters, 3D printers, scanners, and every other modern tool for allowing the creative minds at their school to create. It was a cacophony of stepper motors, fans, and moving parts – which made collaboration very difficult.

The other parameter that needed to be maintained was the ability to reconfigure the layout of the equipment without affecting the acoustic treatment in the space. This removed almost all of the walls in the space as possible locations for treatment. This left the ceiling as the only viable space left for treatment, but with an array of lights and exposed HVAC systems, there were few treatments that would be easy to implement and still be effective.

The decision was made to creatively weave Cloudscape® Baffles into all the spaces available in the ceiling. Dodging duct-work and suspended lighting rails was made possible with careful planning and execution – and the results were immediately notable. (Also noticeable was that the baffles had very little impact on the lighting which is vital in any makerspace.)

“…The sound baffles you recommended finally got installed in my makerspace about two weeks ago and I wanted to send a quick thank you since they’ve made a very noticeable acoustic difference to the room, and it’s a lot more pleasant in here now. “
Chris Crawford – Innovation Spaces Manager (University of the Pacific)
WKNC 88.1 completes renovation with Sonora® – and then does another!
Posted by Acoustics First in Absorption, Broadcast Facilities, Customer Feedback, Product Applications, Products, School & Educational Facilities, Uncategorized, Universities on September 25, 2019

Sonora® Panels complete the HD-2 studio renovation. (Photo- J. Gilbert)
Renovating a broadcast studio is a daunting task – technically, financially, and logistically. Amidst the chaos, it is possible for certain things to fall through the cracks – even important things. As the student run station at NC State University began their renovation, they were focused on doing it right, and not letting important elements go unaddressed.
When Jamie Lynn Gilbert, the Associate Director of Student Media and Adviser to WKNC 88.1, contacted Acoustics First they were finishing up an extensive renovation of the HD-2 studio and were looking for some Sonora® Acoustic Panels as the “final touch.” The end result was the frosting on the cake of this renovation, and the impact, both acoustically and aesthetically, was quite evident – even to their consulting engineer on the project.

Sonora® panels in WKNC HD-2 studio – reverse angle (Photo – J. Gilbert)
So evident, in fact, that just a month later, Jamie was back in contact with Acoustics First® to get nearly identical treatment for their production studio as they completed its renovation as well…

Nearly identical Sonora® Panel treatment for the production studio. (Photo – J.Gilbert)
University of Miami – Frost School of Music
Posted by Acoustics First in Classrooms, Press Release, School & Educational Facilities, Uncategorized, Universities on April 29, 2019
Students at the Frost School of Music had an “ear-opening” experience when their Computational Psycho-acoustics class was lectured by Jim DeGrandis of Acoustics First last month. The topics ranged from engineering to human perception of ultrasonic frequencies. The students were exposed to concepts and demonstrations of ultrasonic frequencies which have been modified in ways to make them audible, and ultrasonic anomalies affecting the audible range in ways that are very blatant and obvious.
One of the most stark examples of “audible ultrasound” being the demonstration of a Parametric Speaker, which modulates the ultrasonic carrier to produce very directional audible frequencies.

Computational Psycho-Acoustics at Frost School of Music – University of Miami. Dr. Chris Bennett (far left) and Jim DeGrandis (in signature cap – center) [photo credit: Gonzalo Mejia]
Jim also spoke at the student forum about misconceptions of what it really means to be “in the industry” …and did an encore demo of the Parametric Speaker – which had apparently been such a novel experience for the Psycho-Acoustics class that they ‘demanded’ it be experienced again by a wider audience. (and it was just plain fun!)
DIY: Super Bass Trap
Posted by Acoustics First in Absorption, Art Galleries, Articles, Classrooms, DIY, Home Entertainment, Home Theater, HOW TO, Music Tracking Room, Product Applications, Products, Recording Facilities, Recording Studio, School & Educational Facilities, Studio Control Room, Teaching Rooms, Teleconferencing, Theater, Universities, Vocal Booth, Voice Over, Worship Facilities on May 16, 2013
Take a couple of products and make your corner into a super trap!
One of the most pervasive problems in recording and listening environments is the problem of bass build up in the corners. If you want to get the most out of your room, try making your corner into a DIY super trap!
Stuff you’ll need:
- 2’x4’x4” (or 2”)Back-Beveled Sonora® Wall Panel (beveled on the rear to fit corners or a standard panel with angle brackets)
- 48” Bermuda Triangle Trap® or 2 PhaseFOAM™ Bass traps (or a 1’x4’x1” raw fiberglass panel hung across the corner.)
- Foam Adhesive
- Sonora® Mounting brackets
Simple installation instructions:
- Use the adhesive to attach the Foam Bass trap to the wall
- Use the brackets to attach the Sonora® Panel across the corner over the trap
Super simple. Super effective.
As simple as it seems, this method of installing these products is an ideal way to get extra trapping in your corners. This solution changes the corner density multiple times as the sound waves pass through it –as well as introduces a layer of air space. This installation method takes the strengths of the two products and has them working together to eliminate that build-up of energy in the corners – it literally sucks it up like a sponge!
This simple DIY project is provided as a way for our customers to learn better ways to use our products and get more value out of the products they buy. If you are looking for more ways to use the products you have, look to Acoustics First for Ideas. http://www.acousticsfirst.com
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Acoustics First Corporation supplies acoustical panels and soundproofing materials to control sound and eliminate noise in commercial, residential, government, and institutional applications worldwide. Products include the patented Art Diffusor®, sound absorbers, noise barriers, acoustical fabrics and accessories. Acoustics First® products are sold for O.E.M applications, direct, and through dealers. For more information on acoustical materials and their application, please visit www.AcousticsFirst.com or call Toll Free 1-888-765-2900 (US & Canada).
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