Previous work suggests that instrument directivity patterns can interact in interesting ways with their acoustic environments. This paper describes a case study of the tuba, an instrument that possesses a particularly directional radiation pattern, in the context of a small recital hall. We perform our acoustic simulations using ODEON room acoustics software [1], a CAD model of the recital hall [2], a recorded impulse response function [3], and an empirical tuba directivity pattern from a recently published database [4]. We conduct simulations at listener locations spread throughout the hall for two different performer configurations: one where the tuba player faces directly towards the audience, and one where the tuba bell points directly towards the audience. We show that several objective acoustic parameters – C80 (clarity index), LF80 (lateral fraction) and BR(SPL; bass ratioSPL(dB)) – are substantially affected both by performer orientation and by listener position. Our results show how tuba players need to be particularly sensitive to decisions about performance configurations, as they are likely to influence the listening experience substantially.

Authors: Sanders, Silas; Harrison, Peter
Affiliations: University of Cambridge, UK; University of Cambridge, UK(See document for exact affiliation information.)
Express Paper 41; AES Convention 153; October 2022
Publication Date: October 19, 2022 Import into BibTeX
Subject: Room Acoustics
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=21924

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