June 5, 2010

Mark Schubin Discussing the Technology behind the Metropolitan Opera Worldwide Live HD Theatercasts

Presenters Mark Schubin - Engineer-in-Charge, Metropolitan Opera HD Theatercasts Description Mr. Schubin will describe: The history of operatic broadcasting, including many audio and video firsts that occurred with opera broadcasts and recordings. The technology behind the HD theatercasts (including cameras and microphone placements, the production trucks, the international satellite links, and the multiple audio and video formats), plus the very tight schedule and constraints under which they prepare and produce the broadcasts. Mr. Schubin will play a short excerpt from a Met Opera HD broadcast.

May 20, 2010

Low Frequency Sound and Infrasound from Wind Turbines

Presenters Robert O'Neal, Epsilon Associates Robert Hellweg, Epsilon Associates Richard Lampeter, Epsilon Associates Description A common issue raised with wind energy developers and operators of utility-scale wind turbines is whether the operation of their wind turbines may create unacceptable levels of low frequency noise and infrasound. In order to answer this question, one of the major wind energy developers commissioned a scientific study of their wind turbine fleet. The study consisted of three parts: a world-wide literature search to determine unbiased guidelines and standards used to evaluate low frequency sound and infrasound, a field study to measure wind turbine noise outside and within nearby residences, and a comparison of the field results to the guidelines and standards. The study concludes that there should be no adverse effects from infrasound or low frequency noise at distances greater than 305 meters from wind farms with the wind turbine types measured. Details of the study will be presented at the GBC/ASA meeting.

April 30, 2010

Tour of the Recently Renovated Paramount Theatre

Presenters
Ross Cameron, Elkus Manfredi Architects
Bob Berens, Acentech Inc.

Description
The Paramount Theater opened in 1932 as a 1600-hundred-seat, single-screen movie theatre. It was the last of the great movie palaces erected on downtown Boston's Washington Street, and the only one built exclusively for talking pictures. In decline throughout various cinema and adult entertainment uses in the 1960s and 70s, the Paramount closed in 1976; most of its Art Deco interior decoration was destroyed during the removal of asbestos in the 1980s.

In April 2005, Emerson College announced plans to substantially expand and enhance their performing arts program: Elkus Manfredi Architects was hired to prepare plans for the renovation of the Paramount Theatre and to design new theatrical training and performance development facilities at the site of the former Arcade Building, adjacent to the Paramount on Washington Street. In addition to the historically-informed conversion of the original Paramount Theater into a 590-seat live performance venue, the $83 million project included the creation of a 125-seat black box theater, a 200-seat film screening room, a sound stage for film production classes, a scene shop, rehearsal studios, practice rooms for individuals and small groups, classrooms, offices for faculty and staff, a restaurant, a student café, and a residence facility for over 250 students. Acentech, Inc. provided acoustical consulting for the project.

March 16, 2010

Celebration For Two New Books By GBCASA Authors

Description
Please join us to celebrate the release of two exciting new publications in the world of Architectural Acoustics. Several of the contributors will be on hand to discuss the books and sign copies. The Chapter will be providing hors d'œuvres and beverages.

Presenters
Bill Cavanaugh, Greg Tocci, Rein Pirn, Jeff Fullerton and Matt Moore
"Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice, Second Edition" (Wiley)
www.wiley.com/buy/9780470190524

February 9, 2010

Workshop on the MassDEP L90 ambient noise requirement and the way consultants implement it.

Organizer
Bob Hellweg, Epsilon Associates

Panel
Michael Bahtiarian, Noise Control Engineering
James Barnes, Acentech
Christopher Menge, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc.
Robert O'Neal, Epsilon Associates
Greg Tocci, Cavanaugh Tocci Associates

Description
The State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Noise Policy: DAQC policy 90-001 limits source sound levels to a 10-dBA increase over the ambient (L90) measured at the project property line and at the nearest residences. There are no procedures published on implementing this requirement and consultants have used a variety of techniques. Five noise control engineers from area consulting firms will discuss their methods of determining L90 ambient levels according to the MassDEP ambient policy and will discuss problems and make recommendations. A discussion involving panelist and attendees will follow with a goal of reaching consensus or have a plan for developing recommendations to MassDEP on procedures.

January 14, 2010

Introduction to CBT Loudspeaker Arrays

Presenters
Don Keele
DBK Associates, DKB Labs

Description
Don will discuss the background and history of Constant Beamwidth Transducer (CBT) arrays and will describe and discuss the measurement and simulation results of several CBT line array prototypes that were constructed for home applications. He will offer suggestions for possible CBT-based DIY home construction projects and provide general guidance.

November 14, 2009

A Tour of C.B. Fisk Organ Builders

Description

Our friends at C.B.Fisk, Inc. in Gloucester are having an open house to show, see and hear their latest work, Opus 136, a three manual, 39 stop organ for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since GBC/ ASA’s evening meeting there many years ago the chapter has had a standing invitation to these open workshops usually scheduled on Saturdays making it convenient for chapter members who might want to make a weekend visit to this historic north shore town.

October 08, 2009

Development of Passive and Active Noise Control for Next Generation Locomotive Cabs

Presenters
Timothy Johnson
Consultant, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc.

Description
The noise environment in a locomotive cab has been the focus of recent attention by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). In October 2006 the FRA established a new rule to amend its existing occupational noise standards for railroad employees whose predominant noise exposure occurs in locomotive cabs. The noise exposure rule is expressed in terms of the A-weighted noise level and is consistent with OSHA limits set for general workplace noise exposure. Recent studies have shown that low-frequency sound can be an important contributor to noise induced hearing loss as well as fatigue. Therefore the focus of the FRA rule on the A-weighted noise level may not be enough to guarantee a fatigue-free cab environment where low-frequency sound sources are dominant.

September 17, 2009

Annual Newman Student Award Fund Concert

Performers
Henry Francis (piano) and John Clark (saxophone)
CD available at http://www.swinglegacy.com/

Description

Please join us for the yearly Newman Student Award Fund Concert, to be held in the home of Mary Newman in beautiful Lincoln, MA. The living room of the Newman residence was designed by famed acoustician Bob Newman and is a compelling space to hear a small group perform.

The featured performers this year will be Henry Francis and John Park, who will present a program of classic jazz as a piano/saxophone duo. There will be a reception immediately following the concert.

For additional information about the Newman Student Award Fund please visit the Fund’s website (http://www.newmanfund.org/).

Chapter Planning Meeting - September 10, 2009

Karoun Restaurant, Newton, MA

Description