Acoustic Geometry

The Curve Combination Guide:
Small Project Studios

Curve System components may be used in combination to solve most of the acoustic issues found in home theater and music listening room environments.

After a hundred years of acoustical science, we know that smooth reverberation times, a relatively flat frequency response, widely-spaced room modes, and a lack of flutter echos are key elements of the best-sounding rooms. The way to achieve those goals has always been the proper balance of diffusion, absorption, and low frequency control. While room size and dimension ratios place a limit on what can ultimately be achieved, here are a few tips to improve your recording and mixing experience.


Small Project Studio Curve Guide

This guide suggests diffusor and absorber placements for a small project studio. You may choose a different way to set up your studio for the results you want - remember that Curve System components are modular and moveable, so you can experiment with different arrangements until you have the proper acoustic balance.

A "proper balance" doesn't mean a 50/50 split between diffusion and absorption - it means the right combination to achieve the most balanced sound. Rooms with too-long reverberation times may need more absorption than diffusion; conversely, too-short reverberation times may need more diffusion. The important goal is finding the right combinations for your space.

Acoustical Diffusors Curve System Components

The placement of Curve components is made easier by considering each unit's function:

  • The three Diffusor sizes are meant to spread the sound energy of flat-wall reflections and absorb low frequencies (by diaphragmatic and limp-mass membrane absorption), and mixing their order, for example a Medium next to a Small, avoids comb-filter artifacts. Changing the components' orientation - vertical or horizontal (or even diagonal) - will diffuse sound in different planes, for example a vertical orientation diffuses in the horizontal plane;

  • Absorbers are meant to be used in conjunction with Diffusors to absorb sound in the 200-20kHz range, and its similar form allows combining it with Diffusors wherever needed acoustically without changing the visual design;

  • The Corner Trap is designed to work in any corner - walls and floors or ceilings - where three surfaces (planes) meet. The Corner Trap can also be used where two surfaces meet, such as ceiling and wall, keeping in mind that all room modes are present in three-plane corners, while only perpendicular modes are present at two-plane junctions;

  • The Mass-Loaded-Vinyl membrane built into each Diffusor also helps control low frequencies, and where they are placed is important for both diffusion and low-frequency control.

The fabrics covering the Curve System components are available in five stock colors, as well as custom colors and wood veneer options.

If you would like more assistance in choosing Curve units for your rooms, please contact one of our acoustics professionals at Acoustic Geometry. Email: info@acousticgeometry.com; Phone: 1-888-227-6645.

 

Click Google Sketchup Logo to download Google SketchUp files [.skp]. The entire Curve System can be found in the Google 3D Warehouse, as well. Google Sketchup is available as a free download from Google.