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I've been thinking about possible options for myself and thought 'acoustics' would suit me pretty well. The thing is i'm not to sure about a) what sort of jobs/careers/specialties (designing venues, consulting work) are possible and b.) what sort of study you would need to do to get into the field (mechanical/materials engineer, architecture???).
If anyone's got any thoughts or insights, i'd love to hear them.
Cheers punks
Jon
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#2
Posted 15 February 2011 - 10:36 PM
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Hey Jon,
Good question, with no quick answer imo...
First, the study aspect. Definitely need to study physics, specifically the physics of sound. A good course will take you through most of what you need to know at the theoretical level to apply in practice. There is also the maths - to understand the principles of the physics of sound, you can get away with basic maths and good examples. But to actually create or convert rooms and buildings with good acoustic control and/or isolation requires a much higher levels of maths, and knowledge of the formulas to the extent you can accurately translate the theory into real-world environments. I'd suggest not only studying physics but also algebra and calculus if you're not fully up to speed.
Then there's the employment aspect. Dedicated acoustic consultants in Australia are few and far between. Those I've dealt with before come from two fields. On one hand they tend to be architects, and so deal with the relatively boring world of noise control and soundproofing. For example the architect who designed our new music rooms at school (currently under construction) would also do soundproofing in high density housing, industrial noise control, acoustics for classrooms and restaurants (which need the right balance of reflection/absorption to support clear speech), pub and clubs, etc.On the other hand I've known acoustic consultants who started out with years of recording and mixdown engineering behind them and moved into acoustic design later in their career - often going back to school to brush up on the maths. These guys are more likely to specialize in recording studios, home theatre rooms, and music venues. But really, you could count these guys on one hand in Australia.
Architects make good consultants from a mathematical and materials-based approach. The sound engineers may be a little more 'intuitive' and tend to also use more psychoacoustic theory (how we hear and process sound) in their design practice, having used their ears professionally for years themselves.
However, there are other 'niche' jobs you could consider. Every local council has noise control officers (the music police) that monitor industrial and residential noise. There's also PA system consultancy - most pro PA suppliers have an expert who will assess the acoustics of a room before selling and installing the PA. They may also have the skill to tune the PA to the room with EQ's. You could also look at building acoustic components - diffusers and baffles etc - and sell them to people doing DIY acoustics in studios. You can get plans off the web and the materials at Bunnings. Just a few thoughts.
In essence, I think you need:
- a good mathematical brain combined with excellent critical listening skills
- a good working knowledge of sonic physics and the formulas and models used
- a real passion for sound and a willingness to be just as fascinated by noise and speech as by music - not everyone is a musician, but we all create noise
- about 5-10 years experience studying, experimenting and perhaps working for an architect for a while
I'll finish with a feelgood story though - A few years ago I had a student in my degree, good Westie lad who worked as a brickie's labourer to pay his way through uni. At the time we had units teaching the physics of sound, followed by practical acoustic design. He realised he loved this field, got totally immersed and got a 95% grade for his 3rd year unit. Using his contacts in the building trade, he got talking about his dream of designing studios. It wasn't too long before a construction company hired him as a consultant to design and install acoustic solutions for new homes with 5.1 surround home theatres in the suburbs. He'd spec the room, provide good room acoustics, and calibrate the 5.1 speakers. Hey - they're not recording studios, but it's better than carrying bricks
Good question, with no quick answer imo...
First, the study aspect. Definitely need to study physics, specifically the physics of sound. A good course will take you through most of what you need to know at the theoretical level to apply in practice. There is also the maths - to understand the principles of the physics of sound, you can get away with basic maths and good examples. But to actually create or convert rooms and buildings with good acoustic control and/or isolation requires a much higher levels of maths, and knowledge of the formulas to the extent you can accurately translate the theory into real-world environments. I'd suggest not only studying physics but also algebra and calculus if you're not fully up to speed.
Then there's the employment aspect. Dedicated acoustic consultants in Australia are few and far between. Those I've dealt with before come from two fields. On one hand they tend to be architects, and so deal with the relatively boring world of noise control and soundproofing. For example the architect who designed our new music rooms at school (currently under construction) would also do soundproofing in high density housing, industrial noise control, acoustics for classrooms and restaurants (which need the right balance of reflection/absorption to support clear speech), pub and clubs, etc.On the other hand I've known acoustic consultants who started out with years of recording and mixdown engineering behind them and moved into acoustic design later in their career - often going back to school to brush up on the maths. These guys are more likely to specialize in recording studios, home theatre rooms, and music venues. But really, you could count these guys on one hand in Australia.
Architects make good consultants from a mathematical and materials-based approach. The sound engineers may be a little more 'intuitive' and tend to also use more psychoacoustic theory (how we hear and process sound) in their design practice, having used their ears professionally for years themselves.
However, there are other 'niche' jobs you could consider. Every local council has noise control officers (the music police) that monitor industrial and residential noise. There's also PA system consultancy - most pro PA suppliers have an expert who will assess the acoustics of a room before selling and installing the PA. They may also have the skill to tune the PA to the room with EQ's. You could also look at building acoustic components - diffusers and baffles etc - and sell them to people doing DIY acoustics in studios. You can get plans off the web and the materials at Bunnings. Just a few thoughts.
In essence, I think you need:
- a good mathematical brain combined with excellent critical listening skills
- a good working knowledge of sonic physics and the formulas and models used
- a real passion for sound and a willingness to be just as fascinated by noise and speech as by music - not everyone is a musician, but we all create noise
- about 5-10 years experience studying, experimenting and perhaps working for an architect for a while
I'll finish with a feelgood story though - A few years ago I had a student in my degree, good Westie lad who worked as a brickie's labourer to pay his way through uni. At the time we had units teaching the physics of sound, followed by practical acoustic design. He realised he loved this field, got totally immersed and got a 95% grade for his 3rd year unit. Using his contacts in the building trade, he got talking about his dream of designing studios. It wasn't too long before a construction company hired him as a consultant to design and install acoustic solutions for new homes with 5.1 surround home theatres in the suburbs. He'd spec the room, provide good room acoustics, and calibrate the 5.1 speakers. Hey - they're not recording studios, but it's better than carrying bricks
#3
Posted 17 February 2011 - 12:18 PM
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Hey RB, thanks for your input.
I'll definitely take this under consideration. I just need to decide whether its the direction i want to go in, because i have a few options under my belt at the moment. Ahh gotta love those feel good stories, gives hope to everyone else.
Cheers again
Jon
I'll definitely take this under consideration. I just need to decide whether its the direction i want to go in, because i have a few options under my belt at the moment. Ahh gotta love those feel good stories, gives hope to everyone else.
Cheers again
Jon
#4
Posted 18 February 2011 - 04:32 PM
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Pleasure mate 
In the meantime, porbably the best book you can get on the topic is 'The Master Handbook of Acoustics' by F. Alton Everest. It has everything you need to know on the matter, and is an industry standard.
You can get it from good academic or technical bookshops locally, or via good old Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0071360972
In the meantime, porbably the best book you can get on the topic is 'The Master Handbook of Acoustics' by F. Alton Everest. It has everything you need to know on the matter, and is an industry standard.
You can get it from good academic or technical bookshops locally, or via good old Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0071360972
#5
Posted 08 March 2011 - 02:31 PM
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wow i am interested in studying acoustic also lol, and was looking to get a decent book really helpful thanks 
rhythmboy, on 18 February 2011 - 04:32 PM, said:
Pleasure mate
In the meantime, porbably the best book you can get on the topic is 'The Master Handbook of Acoustics' by F. Alton Everest. It has everything you need to know on the matter, and is an industry standard.
You can get it from good academic or technical bookshops locally, or via good old Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0071360972
In the meantime, porbably the best book you can get on the topic is 'The Master Handbook of Acoustics' by F. Alton Everest. It has everything you need to know on the matter, and is an industry standard.
You can get it from good academic or technical bookshops locally, or via good old Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/0071360972
#6
Posted 16 December 2011 - 04:42 PM
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Gold Punk
I wish I had a better understanding of acoustics and how it works. Not just for work but also for personal use. I have a good ear for what sounds good or bad, but little real knowledge of exactly how to achieve the desired result.
#7
Posted 05 January 2012 - 12:09 AM
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"Organised Noise"
For me, a revelation came when my mind clicked in the understanding of how the sheer physical distance a low frequency waveform consumes can be married up against the physical dimensions a room takes up.
And consequently, how room modes, that is, the nodes (dead spots) and anti-nodes (boomy spots), appear within the space, and continue to repeat themselves at multiples (ie. harmonics) of these low frequencies.
Some simple maths, some measurements of my own studio space, a signal generator, and suddenly things I'm hearing (peaks and troughs at particular frequencies, and at particular positions within the room) becomes predictable.
I suggest some quick googling of standing waves, room modes, etc. and see what you find. I think here on SoundPunk we've done some exploration of member's own studios, and predicted the outcomes with reasonable accuracy.
And consequently, how room modes, that is, the nodes (dead spots) and anti-nodes (boomy spots), appear within the space, and continue to repeat themselves at multiples (ie. harmonics) of these low frequencies.
Some simple maths, some measurements of my own studio space, a signal generator, and suddenly things I'm hearing (peaks and troughs at particular frequencies, and at particular positions within the room) becomes predictable.
I suggest some quick googling of standing waves, room modes, etc. and see what you find. I think here on SoundPunk we've done some exploration of member's own studios, and predicted the outcomes with reasonable accuracy.
#8
Posted 05 January 2012 - 04:06 PM
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Hi all,
Its nice to see the interest and knowledge on the topic.
Thought i'd give ya'll an update, I'm a semester into my first year of a Physics major and still planning on going down this career path, probably after some postgrad stuff. First couple of weeks of uni were pretty full on getting the brain working again after a few years of being a muso. Doing basically physics maths and engineering type courses, so i should be in a decent position and i'm really enjoying the uni life in general.
Anyway, Happy New Year
Its nice to see the interest and knowledge on the topic.
Thought i'd give ya'll an update, I'm a semester into my first year of a Physics major and still planning on going down this career path, probably after some postgrad stuff. First couple of weeks of uni were pretty full on getting the brain working again after a few years of being a muso. Doing basically physics maths and engineering type courses, so i should be in a decent position and i'm really enjoying the uni life in general.
Anyway, Happy New Year
#9
Posted 06 January 2012 - 11:52 AM
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^ Nice one Jon, good luck with it all!
Stay in touch if anything relevant you encoutner pops up for discussion round these parts
Stay in touch if anything relevant you encoutner pops up for discussion round these parts
#10
Posted 15 February 2012 - 05:13 PM
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Gold Punk
I may not know exactly how acoustics work, but I can tell you that heavy curtains worked for me. Not just for the sound in the room but also in cutting out the back ground nows from the neighbours.
#11
Posted 23 February 2012 - 01:00 AM
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rhythmboy, on 15 February 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:
I'll finish with a feelgood story though - A few years ago I had a student in my degree, good Westie lad who worked as a brickie's labourer to pay his way through uni. At the time we had units teaching the physics of sound, followed by practical acoustic design. He realised he loved this field, got totally immersed and got a 95% grade for his 3rd year unit. Using his contacts in the building trade, he got talking about his dream of designing studios. It wasn't too long before a construction company hired him as a consultant to design and install acoustic solutions for new homes with 5.1 surround home theatres in the suburbs. He'd spec the room, provide good room acoustics, and calibrate the 5.1 speakers. Hey - they're not recording studios, but it's better than carrying bricks
I could do with that guy sorting my acoustics out tbh.
#12
Posted 24 April 2012 - 03:01 PM
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While i was getting my degree, I took 1 acoustics class and a lot of it was mathematics, specifically physics. There's a lot of different avenues you could take with an acoustics background. A couple you mentioned already. I think studio design would be something I'd like to do if I liked doing all the math.
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