REDI Acoustics, LLC is a company specializing in providing solutions for a range of Acoustical Research and Development Initiatives. One of its offerings is a Software-as-a-Service(S-as-a-S) AI program to optimize the design of non-cuboid rooms called NIRO. We create the reports to benefit your designs.
In addition, we offer Acoustical Parametric Equalizer (APEQ™) products to realize the design.
Please contact us for about your project and how you can benefit from NIRO and our other services. NIRO™ : info@rediacoustics.com
NIRO™ (Non-cuboid Iterative Room Optimization)
OVERVIEW
Currently, there is no wave-based, computer modeling tool for the automated acoustic design of small rooms, including studios, audiophile rooms, home theaters and corporate A/V rooms. There currently exist several computer modeling programs, using geometrical acoustics, to simulate the acoustics of large rooms. These programs are not iterative; do not include phase change at the boundary and are only valid down to the Schroeder frequency.
NIRO is a proprietary software platform to be offered as a SaaS (software-as-a-service). It automatically iterates the acoustic geometric design of small rooms, using wave acoustics and a genetic algorithm, to optimize its geometry and the positions of sources and listeners. The program also addresses the room’s temporal decay by designing and predicting specific low frequency treatments to damp the room modes. It also evaluates broadband absorptive treatments to control interfering specular reflections and broadband diffusion to provide an enveloping diffuse sound field. Damping is accomplished with proprietary Acoustic Parametric EQualizers (APEQs) that provide absorption at specific (predicted) modal frequencies, with a specified bandwidth and maximum absorption, to control modal resonances. NIRO will result in acoustic solutions that optimize the designs of recording control rooms and a wide range of critical listening environments.
NIRO™ PROGRAMMING DETAILS
In small room acoustics, the range from the first resonant frequency up to the Schroeder frequency is dominated by modal resonances and the Speaker-Boundary Interference response. Both are very sensitive to the positioning of sources and receivers and the room boundaries. The source locations determine which modes are excited and the listener locations determine which modes are heard. In past years, various iterative optimization programs emerged to separately determine either the optimal room ratios or the positions of sources and listeners, in perfectly reflective cuboid rooms, using the image-source model. This approach did not simultaneously optimize the geometry and positions of the sources and listeners, did not include phase change at the boundary and cannot be extended to non-cuboid rooms.
NIRO™ presents a solution to those issues, by using the Boundary Element Method (BEM) to compute the frequency response at low frequencies, including the complex impedance of the room’s boundaries and all acoustical elements inside the room. With BEM as its engine, a Room Optimization Genetic Algorithm (ROGA) has been developed to iteratively optimize source and receiver positions, simultaneously with the room geometry, to determine the best possible acoustic environment given the imposed constraints.
Given real-world limitations, optimizing source and listener positioning and room geometry is not always an option. With that in mind, a Damper Module has been added to the software package, which includes the design and predicted performance of acoustic treatments. By using the Transfer Matrix Method, the acoustical behavior (complex impedance) of different low-frequency pressure absorbers can be modeled and inserted into the BEM simulation. This allows the evaluation of changes in the room’s acoustic field and frequency response at the receiving positions. 3D waterfalls are used to illustrate the modal decay following application of acoustical treatment.
To evaluate the room’s performance above the Schroeder frequency, a Specular Reflection Module, using the image-source model, is added. Broad bandwidth absorption is optimally positioned to control interfering reflections and the effectiveness of the Reflection Free Zone (RFZ) is monitored in the Energy Time Curve (ETC). The image model also enables the location and design of rear wall reflection phase grating diffusors to provide an immersive and enveloping diffuse sound field at the listening position.
Please contact us for NIRO™ inquiries: info@rediacoustics.com
*Note-NIRO is not a commercially available software. Contact us about your project and how you can benefit from NIRO and our other services.
Dr. Peter D'Antonio goes into a fascinating NIRO™ deep dive. John Storyk , Founding Partner of WSDG, introduces REDI Acoustics on the latest WSDG-EDU Webinar. "Fasten your seat belts"
APEQ™ (Acoustic Parametric EQualizer).
At the moment, NIRO™ can optimize the geometry and locations of sources and listeners, using a boundary element method Python algorithm (bempp) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA). We can also add and evaluate exact low frequency acoustic parametric equalizers (APEQs) to damp any remaining peaks in the frequency response that are larger than a specified threshold. REDI Acoustics is currently in development of final design and manufacturing of a fully adjustable APEQ™ system.
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