Food For Thought

   So since I've last blogged, I have downloaded a fairly reputable app on my phone for measuring sound, it has been extremely accurate to all of the decibel charts, and the different things I have read on the measure of sound, and has been used by many people who have recording studios and such. I have been testing it on many things around my house for the past couple weeks in order to learn more about sound and how it really works.

   Since my project is on sound control, I figure it's only natural to understand something before you try to control it. I mean, we all know what sound is, but do we really understand it? For the most part its just a subconscious. When we actually start to think about it, we can all relate when it comes to a comparison on sounds, ie: a dog barking, cars driving by. We all know when something is too loud that it hurts your ears and that ringing hangs around for hours/days after, or when something is so quiet that your mind almost starts to create sound from nothing.

   I have attatched a chart (courtesy of Nav Canada - Civil Air Navigation services provider,) that puts things in perspective when measuring sound.


*photo courtesy of Nav Canada
Can also be found on:
http://www.navcanada.ca/ContentDefinitionFiles/Airspace/Images/FAQ/Noise_HR_EN.jpg





Definitions!!

Some definitions according to the Oxford Dictionary:

Definition of decibel
noun
      a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal by comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic scale.

• (in general use) a degree of loudness: his voice went up several decibels

Definition of sound
noun
[mass noun]

1. vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear: light travels faster than sound

• [count noun] a thing that can be heard: she heard the sound of voices in the hall don't make a sound
• the area or distance within which something can be heard: we were always within sound of the train whistles

      2.  (also musical sound) sound produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to
            noise.

      3. music, speech, and sound effects when recorded and used to accompany a film, video, or 
          broadcast: [as modifier]: a sound studio

• broadcasting by radio a distinct from television.
• the distinctive quality of the music of a particular comp

          produced by a particular instrument: the sound of the Beatles

• (sounds) informal popular music: sounds of the sixties

What do you think?

Ok, so I'm struggling a bit to figure out how I can narrow down my research project into one clear, question. I was thinking along the lines of:

"What is the best approach to soundproofing a small music room, using environmentally friendly, affordable products?"

Let me know what you think, if you think it's good, or if it could use some adjusting to make it better.
Any input would be great! Thanks