Acoustic characterization of on-stage performers in performing spaces

Abstract

The influence of on-stage performers on the acoustic characteristics of performing spaces is significant because the musicians are absorptive and close to the sound source. However, the acoustic information of the musicians and their effect on absorption, scattering, and diffusion remain unclear. The acoustic characteristics of musicians were measured in a reverberation chamber and a semi-anechoic chamber while varying the type of clothes, the instruments, and seating density. The clothing worn showed a larger impact on the absorption per person, whereas the addition of cellos resulted in low-frequency absorption per person. The addition of cellos also increased the scattering and diffusion characteristics. Finally, the total absorption by the musicians under various conditions was analyzed in a concert hall using the simple Sabine equation where the influence of the musician's instruments resulted in reverberation time of more than 0.1 s decrease with about 90 musicians on stage. However, the influences of additional musical instruments resulted in no significant difference in the reverberation time compared to the people alone. In addition, scattering due to the various conditions of orchestra such as the seating density and the addition of musical instrument was not a significant predictor of reverberation time.