Acoustic Modeling and Simulation of an Adjustable Concert Hall with Variable Reverberation Time for Classical and Angklung Music

Abstract

The acoustic environment of a concert hall is acoustically specially designed for musical performances, typically in a single configuration for general use. While this may be effective for certain genres, it can be less suitable for others. Since traditional music is usually performed with no standardized acoustic, large-capacity halls specifically designed for traditional music, particularly angklung, remain scarce, let alone one capable of accommodating both classical and traditional music in a multipurpose setting. This study explores adjustable design capable of accommodating multiple genres through variable reverberation times. Through modeling and simulation using the room mapping module in EASE 5 software, four hall configurations were developed for angklung and three classical music periods by achieving their respective target RT at 1 kHz. Additional parameters evaluated were C₈₀, T_s, LF, SPL, and G. Adjustability was achieved by varying the ceiling height and materials of the ceiling and rear wall. All four configurations successfully fulfilled the acoustic criteria for their respective genre: 2.0 s for Romantic, 1.7 s for Classical, 1.6 s for Opera, and 1.3 s for angklung. The results of this study confirm that an adjustable concert hall design with variable geometry and surface materials is a versatile solution that can effectively accommodate a wide range of musical genres, from classical to Indonesian traditional music.