AudioRoundTable.com: Room Acoustics » Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic?

Home » Audio » Room Acoustics » Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic?

Show: Today's Messages :: Navigator :: Polls
E-mail to friend

Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #68835]

Wed, 03 August 2011 23:33

Yaser
Messages: 15
Registered: August 2011

Chancellor

Many, if not all, bars and clubs that allow smoking. Does the smoke in the room affect the acoustic if someone is performing on stage?

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #68838 is a reply to message #68835]

Thu, 04 August 2011 10:15

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #68960 is a reply to message #68835]

Wed, 10 August 2011 07:53

Chicken
Messages: 300
Registered: August 2011

Grand Master

I don't see how it could, unless it was so thick as to make the room literally uninhabitable. I suppose lots of smoke could make it a little harder for the singer, but most singers are probably used to it.

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #68992 is a reply to message #68835]

Sat, 13 August 2011 04:36

Ebirah01
Messages: 17
Registered: August 2011
Location: London, England, UK

Chancellor

Actually it will effect it, but most likely imperceptibly so. The billowing of smoke is a function of thermal displacement combined with the introduction of carbonized material into the local atmosphere, which will change the ways in which the air is compressed to transmit sound waves. That being said, the heat changes and the density of the particles are so similar to the local atmosphere, in terms of what is significant to sound travel, you can ignore it. Open burning flames may be a different story, but smokers in a club will not effect much, unless you are in North Carolina, that is. Wink

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #69032 is a reply to message #68992]

Tue, 16 August 2011 01:46

Yaser
Messages: 15
Registered: August 2011

Chancellor

Thanks for that explanation Ebirah. I thought it was just the booze that I was drinking that affected my hearing. The problem is I thought the music sounded better inside bars.

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #69046 is a reply to message #69032]

Wed, 17 August 2011 08:25

Nymeria
Messages: 508
Registered: April 2011

Illuminati (1st Degree)

It could be that the acoustic properties of the room make the music sound better to you than hearing it outside, rather than the smoke.

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #69049 is a reply to message #69046]

Wed, 17 August 2011 09:46

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

There's definitely a difference in sound inside verses outside. Outside, there are no reflections. Inside, you have reflections and standing wave room modes.

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #69060 is a reply to message #68835]

Thu, 18 August 2011 06:43

Danny
Messages: 195
Registered: September 2010

Master

I seriously doubt the smoke affects the sound. And I am always amazed at the really good singers that I hear and then see them outside having a smoke.

Report message to a moderator

Re: Does Smoke In Bars/Clubs Affect Acoustic? [message #69169 is a reply to message #69060]

Wed, 24 August 2011 22:35

Yaser
Messages: 15
Registered: August 2011

Chancellor

Now that makes me wonder if smoking will have an effect on the singers. Many singers do smoke so I think smoking doesn't affect their voices.

Back to topic though, like what Wayne said, there is a big difference with inside and outside buildings. As far smoke inside buildings, it was already explained by Ebirah.

Report message to a moderator