[Organizers] Re: Window curtains that might help w/ acoustics

2023-08-27 Thread Weogo Reed via Organizers 

Hi Peter,

On 8/27/2023 9:24 AM, Peter Martel via Organizers wrote:

Hi Chrissy,

If it wasn’t 4 hours away, I’d come up and take a gander (maybe I will 
anyway; I’ve not been to Arcadia yet), but let me say this:


1) One of my fellow organizers encouraged me to turn the volume down; 
I’m not sure why it took someone else to tell me that, as I’ve been 
doing sound for all kinds of music for nearly 30 years. I think I just 
get caught up in the dance music. This helps tremendously, especially 
in a lively room (if it's lively, do you really need it loud? Some of 
these rooms were designed, before sound systems, to be lively). 
Turning the music down also makes some room above the band for the caller.


    Really good point!
When I started mixing in 1990 dancers were quiet during walk-throughs.  
If the
fans weren't blowing, the Caller could just about reach all the dancers 
without a mic.
People who were chatting/socializing would step outside so as not to 
interfere with the Caller being heard.


2) It is really important to tune the system to the room. If you are 
using a simple mixer, with a very basic equalizer, if any at all, you 
are likely to have problems in most any room.
3) An additional option (after the first two are implemented) is 
“ducking”, where the band's amplitude is slightly compressed when the 
caller is calling.


Ooo, looks like a dance this Friday…w/ Lisa Greenleaf calling...tempting.

Peter


Thanks and good health,  Weogo

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[Organizers] Re: Window curtains that might help w/ acoustics

2023-08-27 Thread Peter Martel via Organizers 
Hi Chrissy,

If it wasn’t 4 hours away, I’d come up and take a gander (maybe I will anyway; 
I’ve not been to Arcadia yet), but let me say this:

1) One of my fellow organizers encouraged me to turn the volume down; I’m not 
sure why it took someone else to tell me that, as I’ve been doing sound for all 
kinds of music for nearly 30 years. I think I just get caught up in the dance 
music. This helps tremendously, especially in a lively room (if it's lively, do 
you really need it loud? Some of these rooms were designed, before sound 
systems, to be lively). Turning the music down also makes some room above the 
band for the caller.
2) It is really important to tune the system to the room. If you are using a 
simple mixer, with a very basic equalizer, if any at all, you are likely to 
have problems in most any room.
3) An additional option (after the first two are implemented) is “ducking”, 
where the band's amplitude is slightly compressed when the caller is calling.

Ooo, looks like a dance this Friday…w/ Lisa Greenleaf calling...tempting.

Peter

> On Aug 24, 2023, at 10:07 AM, Chrissy Fowler via Organizers 
>  wrote:
> 
> I am hoping some of you will have suggestions and recommendations for me. 
> (including where else to send this query) Note that I'm also trying to figure 
> out how to sign up for the Trad Sound SharedWeight list.
> 
> My question:
> Where would you buy decent quality fire resistant window curtains to dampen 
> sound and improve acoustics?  (What vendors do you recommend?)
> 
> Back story:
> Our first Friday dance series moved to a new venue when we started up again 
> in November 2022.  The hall is visually appealing, with a high ceiling made 
> of tin, large windows on three sides of the hall, gorgeous hardwood floor, 
> and incredibly welcoming venue owners. But it has VERY "live" acoustics, 
> which are really challenging.
> 
> The venue owners removed the curtains when they got their windows replaced. 
> For several months, they've been looking for fire resistant window curtains 
> for the large windows on all sides of the hall. We'd love for those curtains 
> to also be really good at dampening sound (thus improving acoustics.) 
> 
> My internet searches are inconclusive so far. I'd love to have some 
> suggestions for reputable sources that will serve our needs, offer a 
> well-made window curtain product that's functional and aesthetically pleasing.
> 
> Thanks for any suggestions or advice!
> 
> Cheers,
> Chrissy
> Belfast Flying Shoes
> Belfast ME
> 
> ** ** ** 
> Dance Calling | Transcription | Belfast Flying Shoes
> chrissyfowler.com  | westbranchwords.com 
>  | belfastflyingshoes.org/blog 
> 
>  
> (207) 338-0979
> 
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[Organizers] Re: Window curtains that might help w/ acoustics

2023-08-25 Thread Weogo Reed via Organizers 

Hi Lisa,

    Getting off-topic here:
Am guessing you know there's more to these chemicals than the 
off-gassing the end-user experiences.
Production is often in lower income communities where leaks and spills 
often result in only minor fines for industry,

and significant health issues for workers and neighbors.
    People in general may be drowning in so many other environmental 
insults that these fumes may not even register.


https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/08/24/1194759795/flame-retardants-breast-milk-banned-chemicals
https://carolinapublicpress.org/56016/why-chemours-is-challenging-epa-over-pfas-drinking-water-advisory/

Dismounting my high horse...

Thanks and good health,  Weogo


On 8/24/2023 4:43 PM, Lisa Marie Lunt via Organizers wrote:

Re: Fire Retardant Products

For the approximately 30%* of us who become ill when exposed to 
chemicals/gasses from fragrances, as well as chemicals used in fire 
retardant textiles, I suggest looking into off-gassing for fire 
retardant curtains and consumer applied retardant treatments. 
Off-gassing is done by leaving things hanging in well ventilated 
areas, away from people. You might not have control over how to 
shorten the time for off-gassing, especially if it isn't done before 
hanging them in a closed building with little air circulation, but it 
would be good for the building owners to know. Fire retardant 
chemicals applied by the consumer, post productiom would need more 
time to off-gass.


*Most people who become ill when exposed to chemicals in synthetic 
fragrances and industrial chemicals don't say anything about it, and 
you can't tell by looking at us. A few governmental regional surveys 
and other studies suggest about 30% of the population has health 
issues with fragrances and industrial chemicals. Search "prevalence of 
fragrance sensitivity".


On Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 10:19 AM Sarah Lee via Organizers 
 wrote:


Hi Chrissy,

I don’t know about the sound dampening part, but for schools we
use this to make any curtains fire retardant, maybe it could help
you treat the curtains you find-
1__34080.1571137153.600.600.png
Fire Retardant for Fabric


frctexas.com






Sarah Lee
North Bay Country Dance Society | Country Dance 
nbcds.org 






*
*























On Aug 24, 2023, at 7:07 AM, Chrissy Fowler via Organizers
 wrote:


I am hoping some of you will have suggestions and recommendations
for me. (including where else to send this query) Note that I'm
also trying to figure out how to sign up for the Trad Sound
SharedWeight list.

/*_My question:_*/
Where would you buy decent quality fire resistant window curtains
to dampen sound and improve acoustics?  (What vendors do you
recommend?)

_*/Back story:/*_
Our first Friday dance series moved to a new venue when we
started up again in November 2022. The hall is visually
appealing, with a high ceiling made of tin, large windows on
three sides of the hall, gorgeous hardwood floor, and incredibly
welcoming venue owners. But it has VERY "live" acoustics, which
are _really _challenging.

The venue owners removed the curtains when they got their windows
replaced. For several months, they've been looking for fire
resistant window curtains for the large windows on all sides of
the hall. We'd love for those curtains to also be really good at
dampening sound (thus improving acoustics.)

My internet searches are inconclusive so far. I'd love to have
some suggestions for reputable sources that will serve our needs,
offer a well-made window curtain product that's functional and
aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks for any suggestions or advice!

Cheers,
Chrissy
Belfast Flying Shoes
Belfast ME

//** ** **
//

//Dance Calling//| Transcription//| //Belfast Flying Shoes
//

//chrissyfowler.com  |
westbranchwords.com  |
belfastflyingshoes.org/blog /
/

/(207) 338-0979/


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[Organizers] Re: Window curtains that might help w/ acoustics

2023-08-24 Thread Chrissy Fowler via Organizers 
Thanks all for the list replies, plus the direct 1:1 messages.

I'll forward some of the more detailed acoustic recommendations to our sound 
providers in case those have helpful info for them.  And we'll keep in mind the 
overall acoustic treatment suggestions (panels, etc) in case we have authority 
to make those changes.

If anyone else has specific suggestions about the permanently-hanging window 
curtains (which is really all we're empowered to help with at the moment), 
please send them on. Sources, fabric recommendations, other considerations, etc.
My question:
Where would you buy decent quality fire resistant window curtains to dampen 
sound and improve acoustics?  (What vendors do you recommend?)

Thanks!!
Chrissy / Belfast Flying Shoes


** ** **

Dance Calling | Transcription | Belfast Flying Shoes

chrissyfowler.com | 
westbranchwords.com | 
belfastflyingshoes.org/blog


(207) 338-0979




My question:
Where would you buy decent quality fire resistant window curtains to dampen 
sound and improve acoustics?  (What vendors do you recommend?)

Back story:
Our first Friday dance series moved to a new venue when we started up again in 
November 2022.  The hall is visually appealing, with a high ceiling made of 
tin, large windows on three sides of the hall, gorgeous hardwood floor, and 
incredibly welcoming venue owners. But it has VERY "live" acoustics, which are 
really challenging.

The venue owners removed the curtains when they got their windows replaced. For 
several months, they've been looking for fire resistant window curtains for the 
large windows on all sides of the hall. We'd love for those curtains to also be 
really good at dampening sound (thus improving acoustics.)

My internet searches are inconclusive so far. I'd love to have some suggestions 
for reputable sources that will serve our needs, offer a well-made window 
curtain product that's functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks for any suggestions or advice!

Cheers,
Chrissy
Belfast Flying Shoes
Belfast ME


** ** **

Dance Calling | Transcription | Belfast Flying Shoes

chrissyfowler.com | 
westbranchwords.com | 
belfastflyingshoes.org/blog


(207) 338-0979


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[Organizers] Re: Window curtains that might help w/ acoustics

2023-08-24 Thread Weogo Reed via Organizers 

Hi  Chrissy,

    Paying an acoustics consultant a basic fee for a seat-of-the-pants 
recommendation

might be the most effective money you can spend.
Churches with amplified music have similar needs to venues for called 
dances  -
complete coverage of the congregation, high intelligibility, and at 
modest volume.


    Most curtains have minimal sound absorption.
Thick, heavy stage curtains that are pleated will be a bit more effective.
    For an idea of what might be helpful, consider this for a 3' wide 
window:

a 6' curtain rod and a fabric width of 12', with the curtain rod
well above the window and the curtain hanging well below the bottom.
With the curtains closed, you have good pleats, and with them open there is
still some useful absorption from the 1.5' width at each side of the window.

    Most fire retardants are pretty funky.  PFAS, etc.
I suggest buying fabric that "does not support flame spread".
In your backyard: https://www.guilfordofmaine.com/
They may be able to suggest an acoustics consultant.

    An effective sound system for your venue, with a competent 
operator, is another consideration.


    Loud fans and heaters can mask intelligibility.


    In 2012, The Old Farmers Ball in Asheville spent about $9000 
installing 21 sound panels,

which made Bryson Gym usable.
Forty panels had been recommended...

    Lots to consider.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo


On 8/24/2023 10:07 AM, Chrissy Fowler wrote:

I am hoping some of you will have suggestions
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