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Decoupling
This is the concept of detaching partitions from each other, or physically detaching layers in a
partition in order to improve sound isolation.
The most common methods of decoupling are:
Air gaps or air spaces between two partitions.
Using resilient channels (like our RC-8) between layers and structural framing members for
walls and ceilings.
Floating a floor using springs, rubber isolators (such as U-Boats), or other decoupling layers.
Room Modes
A room mode is a low frequency standing wave in a room.
Normally, this is a small room phenomenon, though large rooms have (very, very low) modes as
well. A mode is basically a bump or dip in a rooms frequency response that is facilitated
by the rooms dimensions and the way those dimensions cause sound waves to interact with
each other. There are three types of room modes:
Axial modes: Standing waves between two parallel surfaces.
Tangential modes: Standing waves between four surfaces.
Oblique modes: Standing waves between six surfaces. (Oblique modes are more complex,
higher in frequency and decay faster. Therefore, they are not typically a big problem.) For a
complete treatment of modes, there are ample discussions in acoustic reference books. There
are intricate formulas in these texts that can help you determine your rooms modes. There is
also software that can do the same. We have developed our own proprietary software and
also utilize commercially-available software, and would be glad to work with you, or your
salesperson, in figuring your rooms modes to help steer you in the direction of the proper
acoustical treatments.
Pasted from <http://www.auralex.com/acoustical-terms-index/>