Focusing Sound

Sound bleed is subjective — and can’t be eliminated. So what can we do? We looked at three strategies so far:

A. Allow Overlaps
B. Protect Silence
C. Isolate Loudness

Here are the last three:

D. Separating Narratives
The next concern is conflicting narration (different narrators saying different things). Just keep these distant enough. Test it. Distant voices are less distracting than you think.

E. Focusing Sound
When sounds must be near enough to conflict, there is technology. Plexiglas domes (okay), linear arrays (better), hanging pizza-box-shaped arrays (best). Get one and experiment.

F. Individualized Sound
Last for a reason. Try to avoid putting the speaker on the visitor. Audio guides are a whole industry. Headsets attached to exhibits are possible, but you’ll need to clean and replace them regularly. If individual audio is mandatory, no US-made product truly shines. Try German single-ear handsets.

Here’s the thing:
Sound bleed is the most worried-about issue there is. But you can allow more sound overlaps than you think. For the rest, there are many solutions.

Warmly,
Jonathan

P.S. And that’s a wrap for Sound Bleed Week. (Dubious editorial idea, real underlying issue.) What problems and solutions did we miss? Hit REPLY and LMK.