How to run this simulation:
Click the badge above to open this project in MATLAB Online. Once the environment loads, open your main .m file and click the Run button to view the acoustic data and frequency graphs.
This project explores acoustic modeling methods by digitally simulating room acoustics using MATLAB. The primary focus is to evaluate different sound sources to identify the most accurate method for approximating an ideal impulse within a real-world acoustic space.
- Identify the optimal method to approximate an ideal impulse in a physical environment.
- Compare different impulse sounds, specifically a balloon pop, hand clap, and synthetic tone, to evaluate their accuracy and clarity in impulse response modeling.
- Develop a comprehensive digital simulation of room acoustics using MATLAB.
- Testing Environment: Data collection was conducted in the volleyball courts at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center.
- Environment Characteristics: This specific location was selected for its high ceilings, empty space, hard walls, and minimal acoustical dampening. These features create a highly reflective space, producing long reverberations that are easier to study.
- Independent Variables: The study tested three distinct impulse sources: a balloon pop (short and loud burst), hand claps (quick), and computer-generated synthetic tones.
- Hypothesis: A short, loud sound with high amplitude and shorter wavelength yields a more accurate model of the ideal impulse because shorter wavelengths are more sensitive to room reflections.
- Convolution with impulse responses can accurately simulate real-world room acoustics.
- The balloon pop provided a more accurate and consistent impulse approximation.
- Hand claps introduced higher levels of variation and were ultimately less reliable for consistent modeling.
- Time-domain and frequency graphs successfully visualized the reverberation and tonal effects of the physical space using MATLAB.
- Ryan Fisher
- Dayna Scangarello
- Joanne Bennet
- Tife Odepe