ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the basics of room sizes and ratios, including axial and non-axial modes, and the importance of spacing modes evenly when designing a new room. Professional studio designers agree that certain ratios of room height, width, and length are most desirable. A node is a location in the room where two waves collide out of phase creating a null. Reality can differ substantially from mode predictions, depending on the room’s construction. In-room testing can skew the results measured with a microphone or sound pressure level meter due to reflections from other room surfaces. The belief that putting drywall across the room corners at an angle avoids bass problems is surprisingly common. Most acoustics experts recommend a minimum volume of at least 2,500 cubic feet for rooms where music produced with high quality. Unlike acoustic treatment, isolation is achieved using specialized construction, including rigid walls that are decoupled from the rest of the building.
