Gary W. Siebein Martin Gold
Dept. of Architecture, 231 ARCH, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-2004
A simple audio system was developed to allow architecture students to simulate the aural environment of various rooms. A basic set of exercises provide a conceptual and aural understanding of the room impulse response method for evaluating subjective acoustic qualities of rooms. The focus of the exercises is to provide a structure for the experiential understanding and manipulation of acoustics of buildings in applied design situations. Aural demonstrations illustrating how changes in the impulse response such as the loudness, direction, and number of early reflections as well as the subsequent reverberation affect the perceived acoustical qualities of speech and music are shown for various environments. The exercises are implemented using anechoic music recordings played via loudspeakers or headphones. The impulse responses are simulated using digital delay and reverberator units. Once they become familiar with the equipment, students can actually manipulate listening conditions easily for an endless opportunity of listening experiences.