Space coupler simulation

[DanDan]

+2 to SAC's post.
DD

[tonio]

Originally Posted by SAC

(BTW, the topic of "coupled spaces" is not only very broad, but also extremely complex. It runs the gamut from the potential for productive use, and even more often, destructive interaction. And it is extremely difficult to calculate. So, if you thought modal issues were difficult...essentially you now have at least 2 such spaces with at least 1 more being the combination of the two in the most basic of coupled spaces. And nothing limits them to this! This interaction is the subject of acoustics modeling nightmares! )

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SAC, funny how you bring up coupled rooms, though in essense it is similar to the use of the coupler.

I have leased a place that has a coupled room to my planned mix room, also there is a hall way opening.

Any opinions as to treating the openings, or should I just close them up with BB treatment in a mobile fashion (non permanent) to avoid the nightmare of treating "3" rooms?

It would be interesting for tracking for a ambience induced source.

[tonio]

holy guacamole SAC , you're making decisions even more complicated... you've hit my concerns to the tee
Isolation, possiblities of coupling , but most of all the distribution of modal properties would be my primary inclination due to typical near cube dimensional issues.
Grating, now that is something I would need to research a bit more

I just don't want to result to non permanent closing off the openings as a means of predictable treatment plans, but don't have the energy to explore possibilities over my knowledge of acoustics.

[tonio]

Originally Posted by SAC

VERY generally speaking - as specifics have a way of sometimes 'modifying' even the best ideas... and depending upon the overall acoustic response you desire in the room - such adjoining spaces can often be used to substantial advantage via the use of a 'space coupler' phase grating employed as a 'doorway' between the two spaces. The adjoining space is then treated with appropriate reflective and scattering surfaces able to contribute a later arriving lower energy diffuse soundfield that might not be otherwise supported by the main room itself. (Whew! Hang on and I will see if I can fit any more words into that sentence! )

I know many focus on enhancing absorption by pairing a grating with absorption, but aside from some rather interesting aesthetic options, I might suggest that such augmentation to be a more complex way of achieving what might otherwise be accomplished easier and cheaper. But it is one more tool at our disposal.

By leveraging adjoining spaces to augment the primary space affords one an opportunity to achieve a response that may be difficult to accomplish in a single smaller space alone. And if I were to focus on just one of the varied applications of the tool, IMO this would be the most exciting option that the tool presents.

Oh, and couple more points...
Just be aware that if an additional adjoining space is utilized and if there are sound isolation issues, that the adjoining space would also have to be included within the sound isolation envelope.
And depending upon the topology, many times such an adjoining space can serve as a sink for some of the bass energy and help further distribute the modal behavior, especially if the adjoining space is at the rear of the main room and allows what would otherwise be a closed corner to be an 'open' through-way (I hope folks can make visual sense of that vague description). If you do not have competing simultaneous uses for both spaces, this can be quite an advantage - and it is often an easily implemented technique of use for home theaters and critical listening rooms where one is not worried about competing uses.

Edit: In coupling a space, the grating need not be permanent nor close off the space such that you cannot pass through at other times! It could be in the form of a pocket door, a removable partition, or even an attached door - if one is so inclined to fabricate such...

SAC,

As per your response in " italics", you mention utilizing the adjoining room for a possible sink for distributing bass energy and modal behavior.

I do have the mentioned main room with a adjoined room to the rear right(13'x9x8), and also hall opening on the rear left. My main concern is the rear right opening that appears possibly causing a modal issue. Based on calculations it exhibits similar length axial modes as the main room @44hz and is verified by a waterfall render of having a long decay peaks in that region, and the 1st harmonic of @ 85 hz manifests as a deep null.

Could you expand on that "sink" theory? Are you suggesting using the adjoining room as an absorbent sink tank or a type support function?

I installed a portable type BB panel for that opening, and does not appear to make any difference in the modal range. A simple 2x4 panel on center rear wall made a bigger difference.
Also a hard width axial @ 93hz is killing me

T