Improving the Sound in Your High School Band Room

There are many elements involved in the development of a high school band’s signature sound. These include the band director’s skill and dedication and the students’ practice efforts. However, there is something else, too. The acoustics of the band room can also affect the overall sound.

Most band rooms are designed in ways that limit the quality of sound in the space. Some rooms are too loud and lively, which can make it difficult for instrumentalists to hear properly. This kind of “muddy” sound may affect the director’s ability to hear each instrument section and the tones produced by the full band clearly.

When students become accustomed to hearing “muddy” versions of what they play, the quality of the sound suffers. With proper acoustics, student musicians can better hear and focus on the tone and quality of the music they are playing.

If this is a recognizable problem in your school, here are a few steps you can take to improve the acoustics of your band room.

1. Improve absorption levels

If a room is too loud, it is a sign that there is not adequate sound absorption. There are several ways to reduce reverberation noise.

Acoustic foam installation can lessen the impact of higher sound frequencies. If your band room has tall ceilings, acoustic banners may be another option. Banners reduce the intensity of the sounds and reduce reverberation, which makes music easier to hear and enjoy. These banners are available in a variety of colors, providing the opportunity to match school colors, providing a greater aesthetic appeal. Fabric wrapped wall panels are also a great choice for sound absorption. They install on the walls and come in many colors.

2. Improve sound diffusion

Increasing the sound diffusion in the room may also help the acoustics. Diffusion allows the band leader and the members of the band to hear all of the sounds in the room. Diffuser panels are available to aid diffusion. These panels are installed on the ceiling alone with acoustic absorption panels. The combination of the two helps the director judge the overall quality of the band’s sound.

3. Check door seals and replace with acoustic seals

Doors are often overlooked when trying to improve the acoustics in a band room. Normal rubber door seals are designed to keep doors from slamming and they do not consider sound quality. An acoustic door seal is a better choice for a band room.

The design of acoustic seals allows the band’s sound to stay inside the room. Upon installation, they also keep outside sounds from infiltrating the band’s room, such as noises from the hall or surrounding classrooms. This helps prevent the “muddy sound” problem.

Do you have an acoustic solution that is working well in your band room? Send us an email at info@enoisecontrol.com and share a photo of your setup.