Upcoming Meeting - March 16, 2010

Celebration For Two New Books By GBCASA Authors

Click here to download a PDF of the meeting notice.

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

Christoper Jaffe
"The Acoustics of Performance Halls: Spaces for Music from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl" (W.M. Norton).
books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=15669

Date
Tuesday, March 16
6:30 PM - Refreshments
7:00 PM - Presentation and book signing

Cost
GBCASA meetings are free, and and members are encouraged to invite interested colleagues and friends of the Chapter to attend.

RSVP
None required for this meeting.

Place
Acentech, Inc.
33 Moulton Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Parking and Directions
On-street parking is typically available on in front of Acentech on Moulton Street, as well as in the surrounding area.

Mass Transportation
MBTA Red Line to Alewife Station.

About "Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practices"

With increased concern for sustainable design and for LEED Certification, Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice, 2nd Ed. is an invaluable reference for all involved with designing, constructing , using and maintaining buildings. Written by a team of acoustical experts, this 2nd edition covers fundamental acoustical principles, design criteria and current standards, newly available materials, control strategies and comprehensive methodologies for dealing with the acoustical environments in buildings of all types.

www.wiley.com/buy/9780470190524

Books will be available at author’s discounted price of 90 USD. Contact Bill Cavanaugh (wcavanaugh@cavtocci.com or (978) 639-4101) by Monday 5pm, March 15th to reserve a copy.

About "The Acoustics of Performance Halls: Spaces for Music from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl"

An acclaimed acoustician presents a proven methodology for designing successful venues for concert performance in a variety of building types. J. Christopher Jaffe, known for his innovative design concepts, including concert halls and pavilions for dozens of America’s top orchestral ensembles, shares his knowledge and explains his methodology.

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=15669

Chris’s book will be available in August 2010. He will have advance order forms available and has made arrangements for signing the books before they are shipped by the publisher.

Book Signing with Chris Jaffe, Bill Cavanaugh and Greg Tocci

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

We plan to hold an open dinner meeting at Karoun Restaurant in Newton, MA at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 10. The focus of the meeting will be brainstorming for meeting ideas, chapter business and selection of Officers. Please join us to provide your suggestions for meeting ideas!