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Creating an affordable and sustainable marimba #ASA190

Researchers at Acoustical Society of America identified hickory wood as the best alternative to expensive Honduran rosewood for making marimbas. Hickory wood has a similar acoustical response to rosewood and is significantly less expensive, making it an affordable option for schools and students.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 14, 2026
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

MIT engineers’ virtual violin produces realistic sounds

The new computational violin simulates the physics of string interaction with air, producing realistic sound. Luthiers can tweak parameters like wood type or body thickness before hearing the instrument's response.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·Journalnpj Acoustics·DateApr 29, 2026

How the color of a theater affects sound perception

Researchers found that the visual design of a concert hall significantly affects perceived timbre, with more saturated colors producing colder sounds. Listeners also reported higher liking scores in darker environments, highlighting the importance of considering visual appearance in acoustic design.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateFeb 24, 2026
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

To bop or to sway? The music will tell you

A study by Shimpei Ikegami found that vertical 'bop' music is characterized by clearer beats and percussive sounds, while horizontal 'sway' music is smoother with less percussion. Listeners' directional dancing inclinations matched the musicians' intended expressions.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 2, 2025

What makes an opera singer stand out? New research decodes 'black box' of opera evaluation

A new study found that vibrato is the most significant vocal attribute in determining an opera singer's score, while acoustic features like SPR and HNR have a greater impact than previously thought. The research provides objective insights into how judges evaluate performances and offers tools for vocal training.

SourceKeio University Global Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2025

Twinkle, twinkle leopard seal: songs below the ice flow like nursery rhymes

Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that leopard seal songs share structural similarities with human nursery rhymes, featuring predictable patterns and low entropy. The study found that male seals spend up to 13 hours a day singing in two-minute cycles, with each individual creating a unique sonic signature.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 31, 2025

TuneTwins: Test your musical memory!

TuneTwins is a music memory game that invites players to match pairs of musical fragments and discover their musical memory strength. The game includes a wide range of musical styles and has been tested with children and adults across different cultures.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·DateJul 21, 2025

Would a musical triangle of any other shape sound as sweet?

A team of researchers has found that sound waves can create standing waves in semi-open spaces, potentially enabling resonance in shapes with open sides. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that resonance requires closed sides.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateMay 6, 2025
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

All wound up: A clearer look at electric guitar pickups #ASA186

Researchers found that electric guitar pickups generate an electric current through vibration of a magnetized string, affected by coil winding and variables like wire thickness and magnet type. This understanding enables guitarists to make informed pickup selections and adjustments.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 15, 2024

Experts hail 3D audio plug-in VIRTUOSO developed by a Huddersfield academic 'a game-changer'

VIRTUOSO, developed by Dr. Hyunkook Lee from the University of Huddersfield's Applied Psychoacoustics Lab, enables immersive 3D audio without loudspeakers through binaural technology powered by ASPEN. This technology simulates the ambience and reflections found in a room with headphones, allowing for accurate translation to real speakers.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·TypeNews article·DateJun 13, 2023

3D-printed violins bring music into more hands #ASA183

A team of researchers created 3D-printed violins using modern materials and techniques, producing a darker, more mellow sound. The project aims to make music education accessible through the printing of affordable instruments.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 6, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Cultivating a music studio to sound like an indoor forest #ASA183

Blackbird Studio C's ambient-anechoic portmanteau, ambichoic, reduces sound reflections, creating a balanced and immersive space for musicians and engineers. The studio's unique design utilizes primitive root diffusers to diffuse sound energy, resulting in a comfortable and engaging environment.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 6, 2022