Soundproofing Pit?

[tech2000]

Whenever we have a live band/orchestra in our pit for shows, it seems no matter what, they play (even with the apron all way closed and not mic'ed) louder than the actors on stage. I was thinking about buying soundproof material or that acoustic foam to line the edge of the pit with to cut down the sound.
Would this work?
and what is the difference between the acoustic foam and regular soundproofing sheet material?
Thanks!

[museav]

A couple of points. Acoustical absorption is used to help control reflections, etc. but is not intended to reduce the overall noise levels, you could line all the surfaces of the pit with highly absorptive materials and may only get a few dB worth of reduction in the sound pressure levels outside the pit. At the same time, doing this would reduce any ensemble between the orchestra members and by deadening the pit also possibly make them play louder. You may actually benefit more by introducing diffusive surfaces, materials that reflect the sound within the pit in a more random manner, that would allow the musicians to better hear themselves and each other and thus potentially play softer.

You might also want to assess if the issue is actually solely the orchestra being too loud or possibly also at least partially the actors not being loud enough. Realistically there may have to be some balance of the actors projecting sufficiently rather than relying completely on reducing the orchestra levels.

[tech2000]

Thanks for the advice, I'll have to compare the actor-orchestra levels when our fall production starts in Sept. But just so I know, what kind of diffusive materials would you recommend? Are some better than others?

[Footer]

Pits in some places are now starting to move to more of a studio environment then a live environment. Many places are starting to build over the pit to bring the performers closer to the audience or just putting the orchestra backstage a micing them up. Something to consider, if possible in your situation.

[museav]

Originally Posted by tech2000

Thanks for the advice, I'll have to compare the actor-orchestra levels when our fall production starts in Sept. But just so I know, what kind of diffusive materials would you recommend? Are some better than others?

Yes, some are better than others. Some are also very expensive and some require significant physical space for the unit depth, not necessarily a problem with a fixed pit but often something that has to be initially designed into a pit with a lift. The leader in acoustical diffusion materials in variety, performance and price is RPG, RPG Diffusor Systems. Kinetics Noise Control (Room Acoustics for Interior Spaces), Auralex (Auralex Acoustics - Acoustic sound diffusion products.), Acoustics First (DIFFUSERS, BARRIER, INDUSTRIAL) and others also offer a number of various possibly less expensive diffusive finish materials, although "less expensive" is relative.

Which specific materials might be best depend on the specific application and often have to consider physical and aesthetic factors as well as the acoustical performance.