SUNY Fredonia Mason Hall

Large Rehearsal Rooms: Existing large rehearsal spaces at SUNY Fredonia were acoustically inadequate. Overly reverberant, noisy, poorly isolated from each other and simply too loud. The decision was made early on to provide a highly diffuse overhead canopy, as well as highly and varied diffuse sidewall treatments. In order to provide diffusion down to very low frequencies custom deep column shapes formed out of diffusive block were employed. An ample amount of absorption was also included in the spaces, to simulate the effect of a proscenium and audience area behind the conductor. This allowed energy to dissipate behind the conductor minimize hearing impact, and providing a good “live” auditorium feel. Extensive computer modeling was done to look at SPL levels at the ears of players and faculty, as well as reverberant and flutter echo. Faculty and students are pleased with the spaces, and there have been no complaints about sound levels.

SUNY Fredonia Mason Hall

Large Rehearsal Rooms: Existing large rehearsal spaces at SUNY Fredonia were acoustically inadequate. Overly reverberant, noisy, poorly isolated from each other and simply too loud. The decision was made early on to provide a highly diffuse overhead canopy, as well as highly and varied diffuse sidewall treatments. In order to provide diffusion down to very low frequencies custom deep column shapes formed out of diffusive block were employed. An ample amount of absorption was also included in the spaces, to simulate the effect of a proscenium and audience area behind the conductor. This allowed energy to dissipate behind the conductor minimize hearing impact, and providing a good “live” auditorium feel. Extensive computer modeling was done to look at SPL levels at the ears of players and faculty, as well as reverberant and flutter echo. Faculty and students are pleased with the spaces, and there have been no complaints about sound levels.