Impulse response testing of acoustic spaces

The use of high energy spark discharges to measure the impulse response of rooms will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on reverberation measurements, but other measurements will be included. Equipment designed at Rensselaer to simplify and speed this process will be described. This equipment is extremely compact and easily transported enabling field measurements by one person. The methods employed by other researchers will be explained, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Results of actual measurements will be presented and compared to those using more conventional techniques.