Field Story

The Dome That Made the Imam Speak Twice

A mosque with a 14-meter dome created a strong acoustic focus point 8 meters from the mihrab, causing worshippers to hear the imam twice with a 120 ms delay. Impulse response measurement clearly showed the focused reflection. Applying diffusive panels to the lower dome surface and a thin absorptive layer at the focus zone reduced the reflection by 14 dB, restoring clarity.

Mosque

RTA Measurement per ISO 3382-1

TL;DR

The real-time analyzer supports ISO 3382-1 measurements by providing continuous spectral monitoring during the measurement session. Use the RTA to verify source output spectrum, monitor background noise stability, and quickly assess room spectral characteristics before committing to impulse response captures. SonaVyx RTA mode with stored trace overlay lets you compare the room spectrum at different positions in real time, identifying spatial variations that may affect the uniformity of your ISO 3382-1 results. The RTA is your field monitoring tool while the impulse response provides the definitive measurement data.

RTA for Field Monitoring

During an ISO 3382-1 measurement session in a performance space, the RTA serves as your real-time monitoring and quality control tool.

Source Monitoring

  • Continuously display the source spectrum during impulse response captures
  • Verify that the source maintains consistent output level throughout the session
  • Detect source malfunctions (e.g., driver failure) immediately
  • Monitor the source spectrum at different positions to verify omnidirectionality

Background Noise Monitoring

  1. Display the noise floor between measurements to detect changes
  2. Time-varying noise sources (traffic, HVAC cycling) are immediately visible
  3. Decide when conditions are suitable for the next capture
  4. Document the noise spectrum for the measurement report

Quick Room Assessment

Before setting up for a full ISO 3382-1 session, the RTA with pink noise gives an immediate impression of the room spectral response. This helps you anticipate issues and plan source/receiver positions.

Common Mistakes

  • Relying on RTA alone for ISO 3382-1 parameters (impulse response is required)
  • Not monitoring background noise between captures
  • Ignoring RTA indications of source problems during the session

SonaVyx Workflow

Monitor with the SonaVyx RTA during measurement. Capture impulse responses with the IR tool. Extract RT60 with the RT60 calculator. Verify levels with the SPL meter. Calculate predictions at AcousPlan. Follow the room analysis workflow.

Standard Reference

ISO 3382-1:

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Last updated: March 19, 2026