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Getting Started
Acoustical engineering seeks to improve the quality of sound and reduce
noise. It concerns:
- building design and building materials
- noise control
- environmental regulations
- speech
- hearing
- music
- sound recording, broadcast and reproduction
Acoustics and its applications often involve several different disciplines,
so you may need to do your research within multiple subject areas, and even
in different library locations. For example, in the New York Public Library
many books and journals about musical acoustics are held at the Performing
Arts Library, a research library that holds materials on music and musicians.
The collections here at the Science, Industry & Business Library (SIBL)
are strong on theory, research, noise control and building design, as well
the technology of sound recording. This guide is divided into the following
sections:
Getting started: books you can borrow. With a New York Public Library
Branch Libraries card you can check out many introductory books on acoustics
from the open shelves in the street-level circulating library at SIBL (the Cullman
Room). Browse the shelves or search the LEO catalog
on the computers. Ask the librarian at the desk if you need help. The books
available include:
Acoustics in the built environment : advice for the design team. Duncan
Templeton (editor) ... [et al.]. 690.2 A England
: ARCHITECTURAL PRESS (UK), 1997. Basic technical advice on building
acoustics, sound system design and sound proofing for the practical builder.
Theoretical acoustics. Philip McCord Morse, Princeton University
Press, c1986. 534 M
Practical acoustics. Stephen Kamichik, Prompt Publications, c1998. 621.3828
K Practical projects in acoustics for the amateur or professional.
Introduction to the physics and psychophysics of music. Roederer,
Juan G., Springer-Verlag, c1975. 781.22 R
Numbers in bold are ‘call numbers’ for locating books on the shelves and
you may find similar titles in the same general shelf location.
There is an excellent web site on acoustics at http://acoustics.org maintained by the Acoustical
Society of America. It contains articles, information, lists of resources
and web links. Another good introductory site emphasizing building acoustics
is http://acoustics.com
Going deeper into acoustics, but still at an introductory level, you can
find non-technical articles on acoustics in science encyclopedias on the
open shelves in the lower-level Salomon
Reading Room. In particular, the 10-volume McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia
of Science and Technology (call number *R-SIBL Q121 .M3, look
for the shelf marked ‘Q’) has excellent introductory articles under Acoustics,
Architectural Acoustics, Bioacoustics, and Acoustics Noise. You can photocopy
articles at the library for personal use. Or search the electronic version
of the same encyclopedia, called AccessScience, in the library’s Electronic
Information Center (also on the lower level). A search under the word ‘acoustics’ brings
up over 300 articles you can print, save to disc or e-mail to yourself.
Strategies for researching advanced acoustics information at SIBL
The library holds research-level books, journals and electronic databases
of current acoustics research. It also has directories of companies offering
services in acoustics, and directories of industry acoustics standards. Advanced
research in acoustics can be technical and may require higher mathematics
skills, such as knowledge of the wave equations of sound or advanced computing
techniques. Ask a reference librarian at the McGraw
Information Services desk on the lower level if you need help at any
time; for example, in searching a particular topic or locating a journal.
1. Browse Reference Books on the open shelves
in the reading room
You can take down any books from the open reference shelves located around
the lower-level reading room and read them at a desk for as long as you are
in the library (please simply leave them on your desk for reshelving at the
end of the day). There are several useful titles in acoustics:
Encyclopedia of acoustics. Crocker, Malcolm J., editor-in-chief.
New York : John Wiley, c1997. *R-SIBL QC221.5 .E53 This isn't
an "Encyclopedia" in the traditional sense (it has no alphabetical
entries), but a four-volume handbook of advanced technical essays on various
aspects of acoustics. Also contains introductory chapters for the general
reader.
Audio engineer's reference book, Talbot-Smith, Michael
editor. Focal Press, Oxford, 2001 *R-SIBL TK7881.4 .A926 Theory
and practice for recording studio and broadcast engineers.
Handbook of acoustical measurements and noise control. Harris,
Cyril M. editor. Woodbury, NY : Acoustical Society of America, c1998, c1991. *R-SIBL
TD892 .H32
Sound system engineering, Davis, Don. Focal Press,
Boston, c1997.
*R-SIBL TK7881.4 .D38 Theory and practice for designing sound systems
for public address, domestic homes and concert halls.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards.Print
editions of current standards are held on the open reference shelves in the
reading room at SIBL. The Subject Index in Volume 1 lists specs, testing
methods and practices under “acoustic, acoustical, noise”… etc *R
- TA401.A653
2. Search the Catalog
Search the library’s catalog for advanced acoustics books and journals,
by consulting the research materials catalog (CATNYP)
at one of the terminals. Search by ‘subject’ using the following terms (Library
of Congress subject listings):
Acoustics
Acoustical Engineering
Airplanes—Noise
Noise control
Noise—measurement
Soundproofing
Sound—Equipment and Supplies
Underwater acoustics
If you find the CATNYP record for an item you want to see, print it on
the attached printer (printing is free for catalog records). Write the call
number and title on one of the special paper call slips and hand it in at
the Altman desk. Wait several
minutes for your book or journal to be retrieved from one of the five floors
of shelves located on the building’s upper levels. When you collect your
item you can read it at your desk in the reading room for as long as you
are in the library, or make photocopies of sections or articles that interest
you. If you simply want to browse the most recent issues of a particular
journal, specify on the call slip that you want ‘the most recent issue that
the library has received’, or ‘all issues from the last year’, for example.
3. Find Articles in Databases
Find detailed articles and research papers on a specific topic, using
one of the library’s electronic indexes/databases in the Electronic
Information Center (EIC) on the lower level. Here are some examples of recent
acoustic topics to give you an idea of the detailed level of search you can
make in these databases:
Active sound and vibration control
Active noise control headphones
Reduction of noise inside automobiles
Reduction of noise outside automobiles
Classroom acoustics and effects on learning
Neighborhood noise: car alarms, building alarms, machinery, refuse collection
Noise:
Airplane
Air conditioning (HVAC)
Boat noise on recreational lakes
Construction site noise
Lawnmower noise
Local power stations
Noise in national parks
Traffic and vehicle noise
Trains and subways
Workplace noise
Underwater acoustics, effects of noise on marine life
Some databases simply provide you with a citation to an article while others
give you the full text in an electronic form. The library pays for these
resources.
Academic
Search Premier 
General and research level database for citations and some full text of articles.
Also available over the Internet from home using a library card. Indexed search
terms include: noise control, acoustical engineering, noise—measurement,
noise—psychological aspects, environmental law, noise control—law & legislation
Inspec
(available on-site at SIBL)
Research-level indexing database of engineering, physics and materials science,
Inspec is only available on SIBL premises. Gives extended abstracts of publication
contents. Search topics include: acoustic noise, structural acoustics, acoustic
emission, acoustic materials, noise abatement, architectural acoustics,
IEEEXplore
(available on-site at SIBL)
Research-level indexing database of electrical and electronic engineering,
with some access to retrieval of the full text of journal articles published
since 1998. Only available at SIBL. Topics include: acoustic noise, radiated
acoustic noise, acoustic noise measurement, in-car sound systems, instrumental
sounds, sound movement, sound recognition, sound database, audio, acoustic
waves,
Science Direct
(available on-site at SIBL)
current year of Journal of Sound and Vibration available for browsing in full
text
Science
Online
High school study guide: definitions, essays, diagrams and experiments, including
an experiment to measure speed of sound using echoes. Available from home.
If the database offers the full text of an article, you will see a link
in your list of search results. If you only get a citation to an article,
consult the CATNYP research catalog
to see if that journal is available at SIBL and note the journal’s
call number. Request the volume or issue using a paper ‘call slip’ for
retrieval from the library’s stacks. If you cannot find a journal in
CATNYP ask a reference librarian at the McGraw Information Services desk.
If the library does not subscribe to a journal you need, the reference librarian
may be able to refer you to another New York library that does have the item.
Books and Journals
of Acoustics at SIBL
Using our suggested research strategies you can find specialist books and
journal articles to match your interests. Here is a list of some of the most
important ones you may come across:
1. Acoustic Textbooks and Handbooks at SIBL
Acoustics. Leo Leroy Beranek. New York : McGraw-Hill,
1954 PFB (Beranek, L. L. Acoustics) One of the classic university
textbooks on the subject, this advanced mathematical treatment is still the
set textbook on degree-level acoustic and audio engineering courses.
Acoustical Engineering. Olson, Harry F. Princeton
; Van Nostrand, 1957 TTF (Olson, H. F. Acoustical engineering) A
large, classic textbook on acoustics and still relevant (the 1957 text was
reprinted in 1991). The author was an acoustical scientist at the RCA Research
Laboratories in Princeton NJ (now the Sarnoff Research Laboratories) which
pioneered sound recording and radio.
Fundamentals of acoustics. Kinsler, Lawrence E and
Frey, Austin R. New York : Wiley, 1962. PFB (Kinsler, L. E. Fundamentals
of acoustics, 1962) A classic university textbook, still recommended
on degree-level courses.
Acoustics and noise control handbook for architects and
builders. Leland K. Irvine and Roy L. Richards. Malabar, Fla.: Krieger
Pub. Co., 1998. JSF 98-237
Noise control reference handbook. Hirschorn, Martin.,
Bronx, N.Y. : Industrial Acoustics Company, 1989. JSC 03-122 A largely
non-mathematical and practical treatment of noise, its measurement and reduction.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards.Print
editions of current standards are held on the open reference shelves in the
reading room at SIBL. The Subject Index in Volume 1 lists specs, testing
methods and practices under “acoustic, acoustical, noise”… etc *R
- TA401.A65
Using our suggested research strategies you can find specialist books and
journal articles to match your interests. Here is a list of some of the most
important ones you may come across:
2. Acoustics Journals (print editions).
These are printed journals to which SIBL subscribes. You can
only see these journals by requesting them with a call slip, but you are
welcome to request recent issues if just want to scan them for new content.
Acoustical physics. New York, NY, American Institute
of Physics JSM 93-198 [1993- current]
Acoustical science and technology, edited by the Acoustical
Society of Japan. Tokyo, Japan : The Society, 2001- . JSM 01-90 see
also entry in online journals list
Environmental health perspectives. Research Triangle
Park, N.C. : U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health
Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences ; Washington, D.C. : Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., distributor,
1972- JBM 93-201 see also online journals list
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (listed
in CATNYP as ‘The journal.’) [New York, etc.] American Institute of
Physics for the Acoustical Society of America. Appears under the following
call numbers in SIBL holdings (1945- ):
JSM 99-24 1994-
*ZAN-V702 1972-1993.
PAA (Acoustical Society of America. Journal) 1929-1971.
Journal of sound and vibration. London, New York,
Academic Press JSM 94-486 [1964 to current]. The most recent issues
are available for full-text electronic browsing through the library’s subscription
to the Science Direct database
Noise control engineering journal. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
: Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 1982- . JSP 86-62
Journal of low frequency noise, vibration and active
control. London, Multi Science Pub. Co., JSM 02-142 [current]
3. Acoustics Journals (electronic)
These publications are available from Internet terminals at
SIBL, or anywhere on the Internet.
Acoustics Research Letters Online
free online letters journal of the Acoustical Society of America, all
areas of acoustics research, full-text papers in PDF format [SIBL has print
issues 1977-89]
http://scitation.aip.org/arlo/
Acoustical Science and Technology (online)
free online journal of the Acoustical Society of Japan, full-text PDF
papers in English
[SIBL also has print edition of The Journal of Acoustical Sociey of Japan (E),
1980-94]
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/ast/-char/en
Environmental Health Perspectives
free online journal published by National Institute of Health and other
public agencies
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov
4. History and Historical Books on Acoustics
Acoustics in relation to architecture and building : the
laws of sound as applied to the arrangement of buildings. T. Roger
Smith, London : Crosby Lockwood, 1895. PFB (Smith, T. R. Acoustics in
relation to architecture and building) T. Roger (Thomas Roger), 1830-1903.
The standard of silence : recollections of the early years
of Industrial Acoustics Company. Hirschorn, Martin, Bronx, N.Y.: Industrial
Acoustics Co., c1991. JBX Q-700
The soundscape of modernity : architectural acoustics
and the culture of listening in America, 1900-1933 Thompson, Emily
Ann, Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, c2002. [Performing Arts Library – Music] JME
02-590
Internet Resources in Acoustics
These web sites are accessible from any computer connected to the Internet.
Acoustics in General |
Acoustics Standards |
Professional Societies in Acoustics
|
Noise Control
|
Acoustics Journals on the Internet
Acoustics in General
Acoustics.org
Emphasizes science of acoustics: ackground information, consultants, standards, employment in acoustics, covers science of the whole field of acoustics
http://acoustics.org
Acoustics.com
Emphasizes acoustics in buildings: background theory, case studies of typical rooms, specifications and standards, consultants
http://acoustics.com
The Sound of Life (Internet audio)
An eight-program radio series by the BBC and the Open University on the sounds of the natural world, the acoustics of hearing in different animals, sound in nature, noise pollution and sound in the future. Originally broadcast in 2004 and available over the Internet using RealAudio software, the programs feature interviews with experts and stereo recordings of many birds, insects and mammals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/soundoflife.shtml
Acoustics Standards
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
technical input to ANSI acoustics and noise standards is provided by the Acoustical Society of America, who sell all ANSI (and ISO) standards
https://asastore.aip.org
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards
Print editions of current standards are held on the open reference shelves in the reading room at SIBL. The Subject Index in Volume 1 lists specs, testing methods and practices under “acoustic, acoustical, noise”… etc *R - TA401.A653.
The ASTM web site shows you the scope of each standard for free and lets you buy electronic versions.
http://www.astm.org
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Full text of more than 100 international noise standards available for purchase online; technical committee TC43 works on acoustics and noise, technical committee TC108 studies human effects of mechanical vibration and shock.
ISO standards are also available from the Acoustical Society of America: ISO standards are also available from the Acoustical Society of America: https://asastore.aip.org
http://www.iso.org
Professional Societies in Acoustics
The Acoustical Society of America
Professional society, education directory, local chapters, acoustic standards, conferences
http://asa.aip.org/
Institute of Noise Control Engineers
Professional society, holds national and international conferences
http://www.inceusa.org/
Noise Control
Noise Control Act of 1972
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
History of noise control 1969-1992
http://www.epa.gov/history/collection/aid21.htm
Occupational Safety & Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
Information on hearing and health effects of noise, OSHA standards, OSHA directives
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html
Federal Highway Administration. U.S. Department of Transport
Highway Traffic Noise in the United States, Problem and Response, April 2000
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/probresp.htm
Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
Collects information for campaigners including full text of city and federal regulations
http://www.nonoise.org
World Health Organization Guidelines for Community Noise (1999)
Acoustics Journals on the Internet
Acoustics Research Letters Online
Free online letters journal of the Acoustical Society of America, all areas of acoustics research, full-text papers in PDF format [SIBL has print issues 1977-89]
http://scitation.aip.org/arlo/
Acoustical Science and Technology (online)
Free online journal of the Acoustical Society of Japan, full-text PDF papers in English
[SIBL also has print edition of The Journal of Acoustical Sociey of Japan (E), 1980-94]
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/ast/-char/en
Environmental Health Perspectives
Free online journal published by National Institute of Health and other public agencies
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/
Acoustics & noise control in New York
1. Major Acoustics Research Organizations
around New York
Acoustics and noise research organizations of international importance
are located in the city of New York or in surrounding areas. They draw
on the area’s historical legacy in the development of the telephone and
the radio, the musical recording industry, medical research, architecture,
noise control and the building of submarines.
Acoustical Society of America, Orange County Chapter
http://www.ocasa.org/index.htm
Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies, Murray Hill, New
Jersey: the Multimedia Communications Research Laboratory continues Bell’s
historic research on telephone acoustics and voice recognition
http://www.bell-labs.com/org/1133/Research/Acoustics/
IAC (Industrial Acoustics Company), Bronx, New York:
multinational vendor of materials and construction methods to alleviate
effects of environmental noise (aircraft, road traffic, building acoustics);
established 1949, publish Noise Control Reference Handbook
http://www.iacl.co.uk/usa/index.htm
Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, Rhode Island
develop underwater sensors and license acoustic technology
http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/
2. New York area universities active in acoustics research and noise
control
Because acoustics spans different disciplines, acoustics research can
be located in a variety of university departments, from music and biology
to engineering or architecture. The following New York area universities
conduct acoustics research in at least one department:
Buffalo University
University of Connecticut (physiological acoustics)
Columbia University, Engineering Department
Cornell University (bioacoustics, oceanography)
State University of New York at Stony Brook
City University of New York (speech)
New Jersey Institute of Technology (underwater acoustics)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (architectural acoustics, noise control)
University of Rochester (bioacoustics)
Rutgers University
Stevens Institute of Technology
St. Johns University
Syracuse University
3. New York area acoustic engineers, consultants and acoustic materials
suppliers
Consultants in acoustics are listed at the web sites acoustics.org and
acoustics.com. The Reference USA database (a resource that the library
pays for which is only available on SIBL premises) contains detailed information
about many companies and consultants in acoustics. You can search this
database for the following ‘SIC’ codes that define specialist businesses
in acoustics:
329602 Acoustic materials, manufacturers
382903 Acoustic/Vibration instrumentation
503921 Acoustic materials, wholesalers
871102 Acoustical Consultants
871108 Engineers—Acoustical
174201 Acoustical materials
174202 Acoustical contractors
Acoustical consultants and materials suppliers also have their own section
in the Yellow Pages. For specialists in architectural acoustics and building,
consult the Blue Book Building and Construction directory (*R-TH13.N53.B58,
by request at the McGraw Desk).
4. The New York City Noise Code
The city government of one of the world’s noisiest cities is naturally
active in trying to limit or reduce the noise of traffic, machinery and
inconsiderate neighbors.
Building Code of New York City, stipulates acoustic standards for
new buildings, noise limits for external air conditioning machinery. On
SIBL’s open reference shelves at call number *R - KFX2030 .A2B8 and
searchable online over the Internet at http://nyc.gov/html/dob/html/code.html
BLOOMBERG SEEKS TO TOUGHEN CODE FOR NOISE IN CITY. (Metropolitan
Desk) Jennifer Steinhauer. The New York Times June 8, 2004 pA1(L)
col 06 (28 col in) (1105 words) article available at SIBL using New
York Times full text database
New York City Noise Code (1998), posted on Internet by the Noise
Pollution Clearinghouse
http://www.nonoise.org/lawlib/cities/newyork.htm