EVALUATION CRITERIA OF AN ORCHESTRA SOUND IN CONCERT HALLS

Abstract

Acoustic properties of the concert hall directly influence the formation of spatial sound image during the orchestra performance. They are evaluated by objective acoustic parameters. However, as shown by studies, these objective parameters are not sufficient. For a complete description of the orchestra sound in a concert hall subjective assessment by the established form criteria is used. These criteria are based on subjective human perception of a sound and are governed by psychophysical laws. To implement the assessment it should: describe the method of selecting subjective evaluation criteria of orchestra sound; make a list of subjective criteria by which the expert assessment of sound will be held; to determine the expert groups composition; to offer a sample questionnaire of expert survey. Subjective evaluation of sound of the orchestra is based on three methods. These are: 1) the method of comparison stereo; 2) method of listening and independent decision by the panel; 3) using questionnaires and interviews. In the method of stereo comparison a special microphone system of type "dummy head" is used. The method of listening and independent decision by the panel involves visiting concerts and questionnaires. The method of questionnaires and interviews based on a survey of experts. The study presents the special, developed by the authors, questionnaire for the assessment of a "live" orchestra sound in concert halls. The research results are advisory in nature. Using a subjective evaluation of orchestra sound by the established type criteria we can significantly improve the results of concert hall acoustic studies. The results of survey enable to identify some negative aspects of orchestra sound in certain concert hall and qualitatively correct its acoustics.