Are windows bad for acoustics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bobcat
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Bobcat

Bobcat

Future Producer
Let's say you have a studio where you have huge windows (basically walls out of windows) like these:

interior-design-of-the-room.jpg


Would it be bad for acoustics? I'm thinking of puttin the mixing desk looking towards the window because it probably is the best symetry and the sound goes away from the windows. Your thoughts?
 
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Having windows is not ideal at all, if your putting a desk, monitors etc i would not put them so when you are sat you'll be looking out the window, as you'll get mad sound from the backs of the speakers reflecting from the window and giving you a bad representation of your mix.
Im not sure where to recommend to put it but the above is probably the worst way you could have it

---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 PM ----------

Maybe buy some large stand-up acoustic panels to put up in front of the window when mixing and have your back facing the window.
 
Hmm I see... well this is not my place or anything, but I would like to get a big studio and I'm a huge fan of windows like that ;-)

I guess the best would be just 4 straight walls.
 
Nope, 4 straight walls will create all sorts of problems including standing waves (high resonance freqs) and other reflection related problems. Even treatment on 4 straight walls won't do much unless the treatment deliberately breaks up the surface and creates a pseudo angled surface.

Windows are fine as long as they are designed properly with appropriate air gaps between them

See John L Sayers for more info on window and room design
 
Yeah some really nice studios. In fact, I don't see 4 straight walls anywhere - But I'm wondering, is it bad if (random) things are laying around? Or would the perfect studio be almost empty? I mean, not empty but, just what you need. Would a couch be bad for example?

I'm gonna check out his forum too, there seems to be lots of interesting questions.
 
really nice studio. .Infact i am a big fan of windows like that. .
 
It will add interference but it will be mostly diffraction or absorption, depending on the location in the room it can be useful or harmful, but mostly neglible...... but in the main it is nothing to worry about.

There is a legendary story of Frank Sinatra Walking in to a recording session rehearsal, listening for a few bars, having the orchestra stop and then clicking his fingers until he finds what is annoying him; he promptly walks over to a violinists/trumpeters/trombonists (it varies depending on who tells the story) case and closes, snaps his a fingers around the room a few more times and then leaves smiling....

as for a couch, only if it hasn't been taken into account in the room design.
 
Hehe I feel him!

But I'm wondering now - does this only apply if the music is played loud? I mean - does it affect the sound less if the music is played at low volumes? I'm talking about all of that now (windows, walls and couches or other things laying around).

Because if it's played at low volume, there are less sound waves, no?
 
The number of sound waves from the source does not change simply because the volume/amplitude does, they will be quieter but not fewer in number.

What has the potential to change is the number of reflections that are created by the source sound waves, but in a properly designed room these should not be noticeable
 
I watched a few videos saying the windows should be angled and not straight in a studio, was something on youtube. That picture you posted looks amazing though lol.
 
bandcoach said:
The number of sound waves from the source does not change simply because the volume/amplitude does, they will be quieter but not fewer in number.

What has the potential to change is the number of reflections that are created by the source sound waves, but in a properly designed room these should not be noticeable
Click to expand...

Thanks - I was wondering because I always produce at very low volume, so I thought it might not affect the sound that much if the room was not designed perfectly.

Thanks also for the window tips again!
 
Cool....


As for angled windows, the recommendations are that you have three panes of glass. The middle pane is Vertical (straight up/down); the outer panes are angled at about 5[sup]o[/sup] -15[sup]o[/sup] away from the vertical pane to create the necessary sound trap. Use desiccant (little beads you shouldn't eat found in medicine jars and packing cases) to capture any stray moisture between the panes, so that the window remains fog and drip free.
 
Thanks bandcoach! But does that mean they can be as big as you want as long as the outer panes are angled?
 
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AS big as the law/building codes allows in your state/county/city/.....
 
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