Acoustics By Design

ABD Pays it Forward

Mindy Tangney — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:50:04 +0000

One of the great things about being part of the local architecture and engineering industry is giving back to the students in our community who have an interest in the same field. For the last three years I have been a volunteer with The Academy of...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

OHSA Requirements for Employee Noise Exposure

Melinda Miller — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:05:19 +0000

We frequently get calls to come and assess noise levels in industrial facilities. The concern is usually whether the employee’s exposure to noise is meeting OSHA requirements. So what are standard OSHA requirements for employee noise exposure? There...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

HIPAA Speech Privacy Acoustics

Tim Koldenhoven — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:57:31 +0000

Standing atop my soapbox and surveying the healthcare land as we know it, I can declare at the top of my lungs, “I have a right to be heard… er, NOT HEARD… wait, wait… I have a right that a reasonable effort has been made to ensure that I...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

David Byrne of Talking Heads Talks About Acoustics

Tom Thelen — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:05:19 +0000

In this TED Conference video, David Byrne, lead singer of Talking Heads, gives us a brief a history of music and how it evolved in relation to architectural acoustics and reverberation. Worth the watch. One issue this video doesn’t address is...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

How Many Lumens Do I Need? Tips for Selecting Projector Brightness

Scott Storteboom — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:19:06 +0000

We all have seen nice big projector screens that have an image that is just too dim to be clearly seen. To protect against this occurrence, we set a target brightness level during the design process, and we base it on a number of variables. The...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Industrial Noise Mitigation Strategies

Melinda Miller — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:49:28 +0000

We were recently called in to help with controlling the noise levels at an engine test facility. I went to the site to take noise measurements in various areas of the facility. The problem was not within the test cells, but from all the external...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Classroom Audio-Visual Technologies that Work

Tim Hamilton — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:45:54 +0000

“It depends.” This is probably my most frequent response I give when people ask me a tech-related question. Why? Because the answer to the question will vary depending on circumstances, factors, and requirements. So when someone asks me, “What’s the...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Medicare Funding Linked To Patient Satisfaction Scores

Tom Thelen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:22:51 +0000

How important is acoustics in hospitals? Just ask Medicare. A recent Washington Post article highlights how Medicare reimbursement payments for hospitals will be linked to patient satisfaction scores (such as Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Seven Common Acoustical Mistakes and Misconceptions

Kristen Murphy — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:18:55 +0000

Acoustics really is a complicated subject. Many of our recommendations need to be formed on a case-by-case basis, and some of that advice is based on principles that are not very intuitive. So here is a short list of common acoustical...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Sound System Commissioning and Equalization

Tim Hamilton — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:37:58 +0000

What is the most important step in designing a sound system? Of course, every step is important, but I might argue that the final equalization is perhaps the most critical step, and often the most overlooked. Assuming a good design has been put...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

How Much Acoustical Absorption Do I Need?

Melinda Miller — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:07:45 +0000

Every year my nieces’ elementary school has a winter concert in their gym. Excited kids from all grade levels file into one side of the gym while the parents and friends squeeze into every remaining space. It’s wonderful to see all the kids singing...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

The ABCs of Open Office Acoustics

Tom Thelen — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:02:54 +0000

Open office spaces with movable partitions and reconfigurable workstations have become more than a hot trend in office facility design; they have become the new normal. As acoustical consultants, we often work on open office spaces, and we always...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Digital Signage Systems for Hotels & Convention Facilities

Scott Storteboom — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:59:22 +0000

Ever been in a large convention facility for the first time? Running a bit late and don’t know what room your meeting is in? Even if you have the room number, is the signage good enough to point you down the right hallway? If you are anything like...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

How Does Sound Masking Work?

Kristen Murphy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:35:50 +0000

Have you ever increased the volume of your music or television program in an effort to “drown out” your noisy neighbors? Or have you noticed how difficult it is to hear a conversation while walking along a busy street? In both of these situations,...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

How It Works: Acoustical Points in LEED for Health Care

Kenric Van Wyk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:02:24 +0000

Good News… after long delays, LEED for Health Care was finally released for public consumption! This blog provides a basic overview of how to meet the new acoustical requirements in LEED HC. In fact, your next LEED for Healthcare project can gain...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

What is a Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)?

Tim Hamilton — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:27:24 +0000

Most industries have some sort of accreditation process by which individuals and companies within that industry are recognized as being competent and knowledgeable within that field. For instance, architects are accredited by the American Institute...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

What Is An Architectural Coordinator?

Mindy Tangney — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:45:20 +0000

I’m Mindy Tangney, Architectural Coordinator for Acoustics By Design. Clients often ask me “What does ‘architectural coordinator’ mean? Are you coordinating Architects? Are you doing architecture for ABD?” Well, not exactly. Let me explain. In the...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

Acoustics By Design Honored As One of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Country!

Tom Thelen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:20:06 +0000

For the first time in its history, the National Association for Business Resources has named the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For™ in the country. And guess what? Acoustics By Design made the list, alongside companies like Verizon Wireless,...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

New ADA Assistive Listening System Requirements

Tim Hamilton — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:40:00 +0000

Most people who work in the construction industry are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (commonly referred to as the ADA) and the general impacts it has on how buildings are constructed. On September 15, 2010 the Department of...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/

How Does Acoustical Absorption Work?

Melinda Miller — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:51:29 +0000

Walk outside on a cold winter day just after the first big snowfall and you can hear the hush in the air. Everything sounds different because that hush in the air is the snow absorbing sound. Now, compare that to walking into a gym where the sound...

For full article, visit http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/acoustics-blog/