The following are questions we are frequently asked as an acoustical and audiovisual consultant during the design and construction process.

Q. What phases of a project do you work on?

A. We are involved in all phases -- from site planning to construction litigation. We have found that the earlier we get involved in projects the more successful they are acoustically.

Q. What makes a project acoustically successful?

A. For us a successful project is one where the end user is happy and the design did not require any acoustically "heroic" steps. When we get involved early in a project we can provide input to the site plan, floor layout, etc. that can significantly improve the acoustical environment of the project with minimum impact on project cost.

When we are brought into a project late in the design phase the conference room that is located next to the elevator shaft, building core, or health club is more difficult and expensive to treat than if we could have found another space in the program for these rooms. By going in early in the design phase and asking "Why?" or "What about...?" we can find a very simple and functional solution about 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time we detail solutions just as any other design professional on the project would.

We spend a fair amount of time on the job site and see how our details are constructed. We are always refining our recommendations. Our work in retrofit or expert witness projects gives us the opportunity to see how different systems have acoustically failed during destructive testing and allows us to further refine our recommendations.

Q. I have been told that installing an automatic microphone mixer in my sound system will eliminate feedback. Is this true?

A. No! The complete elimination of feedback is a myth about automatic microphone mixers. Installing an automatic mixer will help control feedback by increasing the volume of the sound in the Public Address system before it starts to ring. But how much louder the sound system can be turned up will be determined by the number of open microphones connected to the sound system. Every time a microphone is activated or turned on, the sound from the audio system in that room will also increase. Ideally, we only want to turn on the microphones that are needed for the communication between the individuals talking. The room's acoustics and properties and the physical placement of microphones and loudspeakers determine how loud the sound system can be turned up before feedback begins. However, through careful planning, selection of equipment, coordination in the design and installation of the system, the chances of feedback can be minimized.