THE Books

[jamsmith]

Hell, there might be ones better, but I haven't seen it yet. For the me the ultimate tome for acoustics is The Master Handbook of Acoustics by F. Alton Everest. If you don't have that, get it and read it before you do anything.

And while it is geared for Live Sound, the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook is an invaluable reference for anyone doing audio work.

I can't personally vouch for it, but Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering recommended this book to me: Acoustic Design for the Home Studio by Mitch Gallagher. (After I finish the Bob Katz mastering book, I will order that and tell you about it)

[deve]

Recording Studio design by Philip Newell is the best book I have read this far. Great for people like me who don't have any formal training in the fields of acoustics or architecture. It's very easy to understand and he doesn't hold back any information.

[avare]

Adding to the above, Rod Gervais' book is excellent for how to build it right. Long's Architectural Acoustics is, well it is recommended by Leo Beranek. Going more into theory and physics is Kuttruff's Acoustics.

For more on applied studio acoustics the BBC RD Reports and archives are a goldmine of information. Particularly Rose's Guide to Acoustic Practice. Plus they are free on the internet.

Referentially,
Andre

[Glenn Kuras]

Adding to the above, Rod Gervais' book is excellent for how to build it right.

Amazon.com: Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros: Books: Rod Gervais

[Doublehelix]

+1 for Rod Gervais' book!!!

"Home Recording Studio
Build it Like the Pros"

By Rod Gervais

ISBN: 1-59863-034-2



This thing has helped me in more ways that I could possibly describe.

[jayfrigo]

Everset's handbook is probably the most widely used tome for entry to mid level users, and even the pros usually have a copy sitting on the shelf. Newell and Gervais have good books too. Gervais is a little more practical, Newell is a little more wide ranging. Jeff Cooper's book is really simple and helpful as well.

If you want to get into the really advanced stuff, and if loads of heavy calculus math doesn't bother you, not to mention the high price, the Cox/D'Antonio book on diffusion and absorption is probably the ultimate. This is high level stuff, however, and doesn't give you practical "build your own studio" type tips. But if you've exhausted the simpler math, understand the practical applications, and are ready for the big leagues, this is the best book I've seen.

[jamsmith]

Originally Posted by jayfrigo

Everset's handbook is probably the most widely used tome for entry to mid level users, and even the pros usually have a copy sitting on the shelf. Newell and Gervais have good books too. Gervais is a little more practical, Newell is a little more wide ranging. Jeff Cooper's book is really simple and helpful as well.

If you want to get into the really advanced stuff, and if loads of heavy calculus math doesn't bother you, not to mention the high price, the Cox/D'Antonio book on diffusion and absorption is probably the ultimate. This is high level stuff, however, and doesn't give you practical "build your own studio" type tips. But if you've exhausted the simpler math, understand the practical applications, and are ready for the big leagues, this is the best book I've seen.

Thanks for that tip. I am virtual retard with math, but I have some idiot-savant thing going in writing code to handle it for me (my clients would flip if they knew that.)! $157 doesn't seem like too much to spend for a reference book. You can get an electronic (Kindle) version for $115

[avare]

Originally Posted by jayfrigo

the Cox/D'Antonio book on diffusion and absorption is probably the ultimate.

I second that.

If you want more knowledge at that level, Cox's book on psycho-acoustics is fantastic. I seem to recall the title is something original like Psychoacoustics.

Between Everest and Long's Architectural Acoustics is Egan's completely differently titled Architectural Acoustics.

Another gem often overlooked for people with a sound basis in acoustics is the JBL sound system manual available free on the JBL website. Originally written by George Augsburger with the later edition edited by John Eargle. Though not directed at acoustics, the presentation of absorption being important in terms of reflection is quite insightful.

We, or at least I, are getting into the realm of individual components of acoustics. To become an expert in sound analysis, study all the documents at the B&K Sound University. The most testing of partitions is the various reports from the (Canadian) NRC. The vast majority are free on the web.

[andrebrito]

I find Newell's book very easy reading altough I think he has a biased approach and disregards the use of diffusors in studios. His Non-Environmental studios Holy Grail design is not very appealing to me since they are several philosophies on building a studio. Yet the book is very good and easy to read.

Rod's book is very interesting and easy reading as well. And he also writes about HVAC and electricity topics which are important in studio design.

Much more complex is Cox's book about absorbers and diffusors.

[fross]

Newel's book seems to be heavy on the prinicples of sound. (what I gathered from the table of contents), but it didn't seem to cover the practical issues like HVAC in the Home Studio etc.

What books are essential reading for the princiles of sound?
And what books cover the practical aspects of construction?

[jwl]

I agree that Rod Gervais' book and the Master Handbook of Acoustics are must-haves.

Someone mentioned "acoustic design for the home studio" by Mitch Gallagher. I was curious about this so I ordered it. It's OK, not great. Not much new information in it, but it's written in a gentle style for the beginner. Mitch Gallagher is a good writer, and it shows. In my opinion, however, there are better resources available for someone wanting to learn about acoustics, many of them are in this thread.

[andrebrito]

What books are essential reading for the principes of sound?

Everest book covers this well and in a simple way regarding room acoustics. For other fields of acoustics like environmental acoustics/noise control I like this book "Acoustics and Noise Control" Smiths, Peter and Ownen. Actually this is one of my favorite books since it covers several acoustical topics in a starightforward way (read without much formulas/math nightmares!)

And what books cover the practical aspects of construction?

Rod's book and Newell's book cover part of this. Otherwise talk to a civil eng.