Since we first learned to record sounds on wax tubes that could be played back on phonographs, humanity has come a long way. While setting up one of these antique music players and hearing what audio enthusiasts listened to in the late 1800s is interesting, it pales in comparison to the advances we've made. What are some of the most exciting recent acoustic engineering advances, and what does the
future of acoustic engineering look like?
Recent Audio Engineering Advances
Inflatable concert halls have appeared in the most unexpected places, providing sound engineers with the perfect canvas to create the ideal stage for musical acts. Once the structure has been inflated and is ready to go, sound engineers can manipulate the interior acoustics in the same way.
Acoustic engineers can use 3D impulse response management to create a 3D visualization of a room's acoustics using a set of microphones. This makes it easier to identify problem areas that would otherwise be difficult to identify with the human ear.
Adding
augmented or virtual reality to the mix introduces the practice of acoustic holography, which allows
engineers to create a picture of the sound patterns in real-time. This could be useful for engineers concerned about noise pollution as well as those attempting to create the ideal acoustics for a musical performance or play.
What Does the Future Hold for Acoustical Engineering?
It's exciting to see how far the acoustical engineering industry has come, and even more exciting to see what the future may hold. What do acoustical engineers hope to achieve?
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Acoustic Metamaterials
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Gesture Control
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3D Audio
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Music Recordings
Although many people are unfamiliar with the term "acoustic engineering," it is a type of engineering that most people are likely to encounter on a daily basis. The future of acoustical engineering is bright, and we'll most likely see a lot of changes that make it easier to immerse ourselves in the perfect audio experience over the next few decades.