Acoustics First Corp. of Richmond, Va., has been in the business of acoustics for the past 21 years. But its principals began in the business of acoustics in 1979 and have worked in sound, in general, since long before that.
So Church.Design went straight to the source, Vice President Nick Colleran (guitar player with CBS recording artists The Escorts back in the late 1960s and signed by Clive Davis), to learn what acoustic advancements were on the horizon in 2016, when this report originally appeared in print. For engineers, consultants and other specifiers working in church sound and acoustics, Colleran’s words may prove golden.
Start out by describing what Acoustics First offers those in the field of church and AVL design.
COLLERAN: Acoustics First offers a full range of acoustical materials to control sound and eliminate noise. In addition to standard and traditional wall panels, traps, fabrics, barriers and sound diffusers, the company holds several patents for acoustical products that it manufactures as part of its Art Diffusor line.
In addition to product offerings, Acoustics First provides suggested solutions to acoustical challenges by evaluating rooms based upon their dimensions, purpose and problems from client-provided observations, photos, and recordings of the sound in the space.
This year you made use of 3D printing technology to assist in the development of your new Model D acoustic diffuser, which was patented. Tell us about it. What specific promise does it hold for churches?
COLLERAN: The 3D printing process allowed us to prototype our new product and test the design at reduced cost.
The Model D diffuses sound over a broad spectrum to create a more uniform acoustical environment for improved sound intelligibility. Our website includes a ‘pattern maker’ that allows the user to preview different arrangements of the Model D. It can be accessed at this link: (visit link).
“The 3D printing process allowed us to prototype our new product and test the design at reduced cost."
—Nick Colleran, Vice President, Acoustics First Corp., Richmond, VA
What’s the cost to manufacture? And what else can you offer, in general, about cutting costs in the effort to achieve better acoustics in church spaces?
COLLERAN: The efficiencies in prototyping for testing prior to manufacture have eliminated costs of making molds for designs that might not be viable product.
This new procedure has allowed manufacturing costs to remain stable by shortening development time and making final full-scale molds prior to manufacturing unnecessary and obsolete. Model D price is the same as our Model C, but it is more versatile due to its being asymmetrical.
It is most cost effective to think of 'acoustics first' (the source of our name) in the construction phase rather than to defer (value engineer) acoustics to be addressed down the road. There is a significant savings to be achieved by having a space that accommodates a sound system rather than fights it.
What are the attributes that are the main draw for architects, engineers and consultants that might specify Acoustics First products or work with your team?
COLLERAN: We offer a wide range of diffusors that are our proprietary products as well as standard traditional designs. Our patented devices are manufactured by us and may be purchased directly or through various resellers and O.E.M.’s (original equipment manufacturers). We can usually supply everything needed for church acoustics: traditional sound absorbing panels, traps, wall coverings, barrier material and accessories.
We work with many designers, architects, contractors and end users throughout the year, rather than just [on] a few large projects. In doing so, we develop a broad overview of what is happening in applied acoustics. We are happy to share what we have learned that may be useful to others who are in the planning stages. We are also involved with the standards organizations in developing useful information to compare various acoustical treatments.
Acoustics are also important in churches’ teaching and gathering spaces. How does Acoustics First cater to these needs?
COLLERAN: We regularly supply acoustical materials to churches for multipurpose teaching and gathering spaces as well as for church daycare facilities. We analyze the space based upon drawings, photos, sound recordings, and intended use. We are continuing to add to our resources for customers to determine how to solve their acoustical issues in a reasonable and economical manner.
What research and resources from your company will impact acoustics and intelligibility in churches in the foreseeable future?
COLLERAN: In first quarter 2016 Acoustics First published a comprehensive series of test reports comparing traditional diffusers (pyramids and barrel shaped), math-based diffusors such as single dimension and two-dimensional quadratics, and our new three-dimensional designs. We believe this will be the first time that the various shapes have been tested under the same conditions by the same independent lab using the same testing procedure within the same time frame for all the devices. It will allow a precise, meaningful comparison of devices in order to choose what may be best for a particular purpose. [Editor's Note: Find the test reports here. (visit link)]