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Acoustics, the science of sound, has developed into a broad interdisciplinary field encompassing the academic disciplines of physics, engineering, psychology, speech, audiology, music, architecture, physiology, neuroscience, and others. The Springer Handbook of Acoustics is an unparalleled modern handbook reflecting this richly interdisciplinary nature edited by one of the acknowledged masters in the field, Thomas Rossing. Researchers and students benefit from the comprehensive contents spanning: animal acoustics including infrasound and ultrasound, environmental noise control, music and human speech and singing, physiological and psychological acoustics, architectural acoustics, physical and engineering acoustics, signal processing, medical acoustics, and ocean acoustics. This handbook reviews the most important areas of acoustics, with emphasis on current research. The authors of the various chapters are all experts in their fields. Each chapter is richly illustrated with figures and tables. The latest research and applications are incorporated throughout, e.g. computer recognition and synthesis of speech, physiological acoustics, psychological acoustics, thermoacoustics, diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications and acoustical oceanography.

With a Foreword by Manfred R. Schroeder

Product Description
We know how a Shakespeare play sounds when performed today, but what would listeners have heard within the wooden "O" of the Globe Theater in 1599? What sounds would have filled the air in early modern England, and what would these sounds have meant to people in that largely oral culture?

In this ear-opening journey into the sound-worlds of Shakespeare's contemporaries, Bruce R. Smith explores both the physical aspects of human speech (ears, lungs, tongue) and the surrounding environment (buildings, landscape, climate), as well as social and political structures. Drawing on a staggeringly wide range of evidence, he crafts a historical phenomenology of sound, from reconstructions of the "soundscapes" of city, country, and court to detailed accounts of the acoustic properties of the Globe and Blackfriars theaters and how scripts designed for the two spaces exploited sound very differently.

Critical for anyone who wants to understand the world of early modern England, Smith's pathbreaking "ecology" of voice and listening also has much to offer musicologists and acoustic ecologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

how did the plays and ballads sound?
Smith has resurrected for the reader many of the ballads of Middle English [ie. around Shakespeare's time]. Many of these are easily comprehended by the modern reader. Even if you haven't read Shakespeare or Milton lately, the meanings of the ballads comes through very clearly.

But, as the title indicates, he also pays close attention to the acoustics. These refer to the physical environments in which the ballads and plays might and probably were read. Including naturally the immortal Globe Theatre in London. So we see the floor plan of the Globe, and speculation as to how this would have affected the listening experience of the audience. The reader should remember that back then, there were no modern special effects. So the pure performance visuals and acoustics were probably more important and stressed, for what else did they have? ... Read more

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Foundations of Engineering Acoustics takes the reader on a journey from a qualitative introduction to the physical nature of sound, explained in terms of common experience, to mathematical models and analytical results which underlie the techniques applied by the engineering industry to improve the acoustic performance of their products. The book is distinguished by extensive descriptions and explanations of audio-frequency acoustic phenomena and their relevance to engineering, supported by a wealth of diagrams, and by a guide for teachers of tried and tested class demonstrations and laboratory-based experiments.
Foundations of Engineering Acoustics is a textbook suitable for both senior undergraduate and postgraduate courses in mechanical, aerospace, marine, and possibly electrical and civil engineering schools at universities. It will be a valuable reference for academic teachers and researchers and will also assist Industrial Acoustic Group staff and Consultants.

Comprehensive and up-to-date: broad coverage, many illustrations, questions, elaborated answers, references and a bibliography
Introductory chapter on the importance of sound in technology and the role of the engineering acoustician
Deals with the fundamental concepts, principles, theories and forms of mathematical representation, rather than methodology
Frequent reference to practical applications and contemporary technology
Emphasizes qualitative, physical introductions to each principal as an entrée to mathematical analysis for the less theoretically oriented readers and courses
Provides a 'cook book' of demonstrations and laboratory-based experiments for teachers
Useful for discussing acoustical problems with non-expert clients/managers because the descriptive sections are couched in largely non-technical language and any jargon is explained
Draws on the vast pedagogic experience of the writer ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Exceptionally well written, good as a supplementary text
This is Fahy's "Introductory" Acoustics text.He has several other publications in vibration and vibroacoustics (structural acoustics) that establish him as one of the more prolific current authors for acoustics curriculum.

As a graduate student, I find that Fahy's writing style really helps explain what is physically happening in basic acoustic scenarios, such as plane waves, spherical waves, scattering, refraction, reflection, sound in waveguides, sources of sound, etc.The writing is both interesting and fluent.In this manner, It is a nearly perfect companion text to other introductory texts who may favor a more equation-driven approach (such as the standards of Kinsler & Frey or Pierce).Fahy has some unique features in this book, including a list of possible experiments to demonstrate acoustic concepts (some experiments are mediocre, some are really good if you have an FFT analyzer handy).

That being said, the end-of-chapter questions are limited but thoughtful (usually fewer than 10 per chapter).There may be a slight favor towards structural acoustics rather than other fields.Notably absent are sections on hearing perception and applications in underwater acoustics. Again, no text can be perfect, but this is a great companion text to understand basic concepts in acoustics.

Useful book for practical work on vibration and acoustics
I work as acoustic consultant, primarily with noise and vibration simulation.

I recommend the book as it has helped me out on a few occasions where I needed to look into new things with which I had not previously worked. It is also useful when there is a need to reference matters you are familiar with, but want the detailed equations or the background assumptions restated.

Having to solve practical problems, I especially appreciate that the author includes references to other work and, more importantly lists `rules of thumbs' that lead to sensible designs. Such recommendations have saved valuable time and money for me.

So, the scope of the book goes beyond that of teaching. It is quite a useful book also for practical work.

'Sounds' like a winner
This textbook was helpful in communicating the basic principles of engineering acoustics.Several errors, (k^2 missing in numerator of equation 6.14, page 109) but generally a good reference when coupled with good teaching.Includes around 8-10 problems after each chapter with solutions in the back. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Not the best
I wouldn't recommend this textbook for a couple of reasons:
1. It is not an easy read- -Since acoustics is not the easiest topic to learn about, one should look into a textbook that better explains the information in a simpler way that will benefit more students.
2. I was told to purchase this textbook for a university level acoustics course and out of the entire class, not one student seems to enjoy reading the textbook, nor seems to understand the information clearly.

I'm unsure about the other acoustic textbooks that are available out there, but I hope that there is a better one for students because this one is confusing and complicated- - also, I know many others that are not fans.

Great price, great delivery, great product
I received my book w/in 2 days of the order, just in time to do the readings for class....I'm very happy, and will recommend!

Some inaccurate data
There is one major error in the text. Page 101 is wrong. I emailed the publishers but got no response. Be careful with some of the figures. Other than that, the book is great!

"Speech Science" the best primer is updated
This text has, for the past 10 years, been the best and most prestigious of introductory books in our field. It is a fine lead-in for students wondering how speech is constructed. A follow-on for the more advanced student is my "Acoustics of Speech Communication: Fundamentals, Speech Perception Theory and Technology" 1999, Allyn and Bacon. J.M. Pickett ... Read more

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Intended primarily as an introductory text for system engineers who can apply the technology. DLC: Charge transfer devices (Electronics). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book
This book is excellent. It covers the topic thoroughly, in all its detail. I used it while preparing a research paper for school and if you want to know the topic of how our understanding of sound came about you have to get this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Since publication of the first edition in 1973, this professional and scientific reference has become the standard work in the field, providing detailed analysis of the state of the art in room acoustics.

It outlines the theory and practice of sound behaviour in enclosed spaces. Particular emphasis is given to the properties and calculation of reverberation, the most obvious acoustical feature of a closed room. Further key topics include the mechanisms of sound absorption and psychoacoustical factors, from which design parameters and figures of merit are derived. Two chapters are devoted to practical questions such as measurement techniques and the procedures of room acoustical design. The interaction between a room's acoustic properties and its electroacoustic systems is also considered, and refined systems for optimizing listening conditions in a room are presented.

This edition includes a new list of symbols, and updated sections include the measurement of the impulse response including a discussion of distortions, sound propagation as a diffusive process and scattering by wall irregularities.

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Book
This is the book to own for your acoustical reference manual.This one belongs on your shelf. ... Read more

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15 favorites, including:Blackbird * Blaze of Glory * Dust in the Wind * Free Fallin' * Jeremy * Layla * To Be With You * and more. ... Read more

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Since the first edition was published seventeen years ago dramatic social and technical changes have altered the world of acousitc communication. This book draws upon many traditional disciplines that deal with specific aspects of sound, and presents material within an interdisciplinary framework. It establishes a model for understanding all acoustic and aural experiences both in their traditional forms and as they have been radically altered in the 20th century. Digital technology has completely redefined the listening and consumption patterns of sound. We are now able to benefit from the march of technology via a companion CD-ROM, which accompanies this volume for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive, fun, useful
This book is a very useful tool for the researcher, composer, theorist or any interested seriously in the sound, presenting key concepts in a clear, pedagogic way.

This books also includes the 'Handbook for acoustic ecology' CD-ROM, a hypertextual encyclopedia on almost ANYTHING that has to do with sound, aural perception, acousmatic, psychoacoustics, et cetera with plenty of sound examples and graphics.

Magnificient Summary of Audio within Environment
The author finds the words for the interdisciplinairy connections of researchdifferent branches.

Compare MasterStudy "Sound Studies - Acoustic Communication" at Udk-Berlin, Germany ... Read more

Product Description
The story of American acoustic guitars, mandolins, and banjos from the 1830s to the present day is the subject of this book. Photographs illustrate the craftsmanship involved in the production of these instruments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Bible for those who go "Unplugged"
The name of George Gruhn is to the dealing of fine acoustic instruments as "Martin" or "Gibson" is to the manufacturing or "Chet Atkins" is to playing.

This is THE coffee table book for the household that includes an acoustic instrument afficionado.Guitars are covered A to Z, but so are mandolins, ukes, banjos, dobros, etc.The photos are absolutely beautiful, and the accompanying text is VERY enlightening regarding the history of the instruments and the instrument makers.Included are the first published photos of Lead Belly's 12-string, plus a loving tribute to the first Martin D-45, probably the most valuable guitar in existence, and not just because it's first owner had his name, "Gene Autrey" inlaid into the fingerboard, before he became famous in movies as "Oklahoma's Singing Cowboy".

Fascinatin' stuff for the acoustic guy or gal in your family.

The Authoritative Book on Acoustic Guitars
George Gruhn is not only the best know dealer of collectible instruments in the US, he's also an absolute fount of information and a heck of a nice guy, too. Each of his books is *the* authoritative source of information on the guitars featured inside.

If you're a collector, you need this book.If you'd like to be a collector, you need it even more. And if like most ofus, you just love looking at beautiful pictures of guitars, you need iteven more.

Acoustic Guitars and other Fine Fretted Instruments
This is one of the best books on Acoustic Guitars for the collector or anyone that has a passion for vintage guitars. Great pictures and detailed discussion. ... Read more

Product Description
Topics include a selection of classic articles covering the optimal treatments for vestibular schwannoma by experts in the field: Microsurgical Anatomy of Acoustic Neuroma; Imaging of Acoustic Neuromas; Conservative Management of Acoustic Neuromas; Selection of Surgical Approach to Acoustic Neuroma; Retrosigmoid Approach for Acoustic Tumor Removal; Translabyrinthine Approach for Acoustic Tumor Removal; Transotic Approach to the Cerebellopontine Angle; Middle Fossa Approach for Acoustic Tumor Removal; Intraoperative Monitoring of Facial and Cochlear Nerves during Acoustic Neuroma Surgery; Cochlear and Brainstem Implantation; Surgical Approaches and Complications in the Removal of Vestibular Schwannomas; LINAC Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy Treatment of Acoustic Neuromas; Stereotactic Radiation Techniques in the Treatment of Acoustic Schwannomas; Guiding Patients through the Choices for Treating Vestibular Schwannomas. ... Read more

Product Description
The Guitar Play-Along Series will assist you in learning to play your favorite songs quickly and easily. Just follow the tab, listen to the CD to hear how the guitar should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. 8 songs, including: Angie * Behind Blue Eyes * Best of My Love * Blackbird * Dust in the Wind * Layla * Night Moves * Yesterday. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The good with the mediocre
This volume, like the others in the series, is mainly chord strumming.There are a couple of pieces for which single notes, and embellished and partial chords are used.These arrangements are worthwhile, but the majority are pretty shallow and best for comping.When you play them, the song may be recognizable, but it won't be melodically complete.
One problem that is common to so many of this type of CD accompanied books, is that the guitar part in never offered in complete isolation.Percussion and other musical support sounds fine for listening, but to best learn the piece, a clean solo would be more helpful.I think the percussion, etc. is included to mask that weak arrangements of the strumming songs.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful reference
This massive 600+ page hardbound reference book is a must for any working musician no matter what level of formal training you have had. Helps in understanding (in the most basic way of saying it) how and why do musical noises sound as they do. Can also be a useful tool for songwriters of any genre. ... Read more

Product Description
Until now, there has not been any work that systematically presents the subject of acoustic fish reconnaissance, details all major aspects of applying acoustic equipment in commercial fish reconnaissance, and offers sufficient analysis of the effectiveness of fish-finding techniques. Acoustic Fish Reconnaissance responds to this need by providing the first overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of acoustic search, detection, interpretation, and population estimation for commercial benefit.

This book pays particular attention to the theory and practice of accounting surveys for quantitative estimation of biological resources and fishing conditions in traditional fishing areas. It also analyzes various applications of acoustic technique, based upon the authors' extensive investigations. The text includes the results of the applicability of fish-finding instruments, and offers recommendations on the development of improved acoustic techniques for commercial fleets. ... Read more

Product Description
Sonar and Underwater Acoustics brings together all the concepts necessary for designers and users of sonar systems. Unlike other books on this subject, which are often too specialized, this book is accessible to a wider audience. The first part focuses on the acoustic environment, antenna structures, and electric acoustic interface. The latter provides knowledge required to design, as well as the development and implementation of chain processes for an active sonar from the conditioning input to output processing. The reader will find a comprehensive range of all problems encountered in underwater acoustics for a sonar application, from physical phenomena governing the environment and the corresponding constraints, through to the technical definition of transducers and antennas, and the types of signal processing involved. In one section, measures in underwater acoustics are also proposed. ... Read more

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Whether your favourite blues guitarist is Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Blind Blake, John Lee Hooker, Big Bill Broonzy, or Mississippi John Hurt, studying the basic techniques presented in this program is the first step toward being able to capture the essence of their traditional styles. In this book, Woody Mann shows you practical ways to develop fundamental technique and offers you insights into the musical logic of blues guitar. Woody walks you through each song, explaining the chord positions and picking techniques. He teaches blues in the keys of D, G, C, E, and A, presenting a wide selection of classic blues songs and instrumentals from the masters of blues guitar. Included in this program are the basics of the Delta blues of Robert Johnson, the ragtime style of Blind Blake (the man with the piano-playing guitar), and the music of Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Willie Walker, and Willie Moore. Each song illustrates how solo players approach the guitar like a piano, playing melodies and bass lines simultaneously. Developing this independent two-line picking technique enables you to get the feel, syncopation, and subtleties of the music. The songs in themselves are studies in acoustic blues technique and present the authentic elements of the acoustic blues sound and style including blues technique and ways to "play off" of the chords and improvise within a song. This program is recommended for beginning acoustic blues guitarists as well as electric guitarists and acoustic fingerstyle guitarists of all levels who would like to go beyond "pattern" picking and develop a more dynamic and syncopated sound. Woody Mann had his first schooling as a teenager in the living room of Rev. Gary Davis, the now legendary gospel and ragtime guitarist. Mann soon went on to perform and record with blues masters Son House and Bukka White as well as contemporary innovators including John Fahey. He has recorded extensively, performed throughout the world, and is widely recognized as one of the world's leading teachers and transcribers of acoustic blues music, having taught countless guitarists through his popular books and videos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

logic of the fretboard
when received the books contained the same text and tab more or less just different titles not content

Not for true beginners
I've been playing for about three years and have a pretty good sense of scales and chords, and had hoped this would help transition me to a beginning in acoustic blues.I'm disappointed.

The DVD starts with a very drawn out description of what the author plans to do, and for some reason skips right over the two short exercises listed as "examples" as the beginning of the book.

Strangely, the very first song he demos is in an alternate tuning, a concept that is introduced very matter of factly, and the song is intricate and complex, even for an intermediate player.

I'd say this book might be good for an intermediate player but doesn't live up to its title as an introduction.

Very good
Very good instructional for beginners, it's my favourite.
Very clear tabs in the booklet, the video clips are also good;
W.Mann plays the songs at different speeds, also goes through them step by step.
Wish I had this when I was younger...

Woody's 3 Book/DVD's - great deal for guitar players!!
This is a 3 book/DVD series, with the other two being "Ragtime and Blues", and "Fretboard Logic".

To my plesant surprise, these are not DVD's with little tab booklets, but rather full size books from Oak Publications with the DVD's in a sleeve on the inside cover. "Full size" doesn't mean a lot of pages (after all, most of the instruction is on the DVD), I mean it's about 9.5x12 with 25 pages of very clear music and Tab. Some older Oak publications had terrible tab - very small print with numbers 3, 8, and 0 barely distinguishable. These 3 books are perfectly clear.

I've only previewed the first DVD so far, but it looks great. I listened to each song and only to a little of the instruction for each. It's so great to be able to skip ahead like that on a DVD, unlike VHS.

One minor nit, I like the way Woody sings, but he doesn't sing at all on the first DVD. It's all about the guitar, and that's fine... that's of course what I want the most, but a complete performance of some of the songs would have been nice too.

Another surprise, this somehow costs less than the video series. The entire cost with shipping (Media Mail) from Amazon was about $53 for all 3 book/DVDs. I'm not sure if it's a sale that Amazon is having, or if that's the price they will always charge. The list price on each book is $24.95... or $39.95 for each VHS.

I'm very pleased so far. I won't have time to go through in detail until December, but I'm thrilled to get this.

Also, if you like Rev. Gary Davis, check out Ernie Hawkins instructional videos.The first 20 min or so of the first one is just amazing. I never had any luck using fingerpicks before, and never intended to try just one fingerpick and a thumbpick. But after seeing Ernie clearly demonstrate how to hold the guitarhow to place your right hand, then showing a clip of Rev. Davis doing exactly that in "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning"... well, once I tried it, it seemed easy. The right hand anyway... I still need to cheat with the left.

Anyway, back to the Acoustic Blues DVD's, my initial impressions are great, and it's such a great bargain, so don't pass it up!!We're very fortunate to have some of Rev. Gary Davis' top students (e.g. Woody, Ernie Hawkins, Stefan Grossman) who with today's technology are able to share this knowledge so readily. ... Read more

Product Description
The field of acoustics is of immense industrial and scientific importance. The subject is built on the foundations of linear acoustics, which is widely regarded as so mature that it is fully encapsulated in the physics texts of the 1950s. This view was changed by developments in physics such as the study of quantum chaos. Developments in physics throughout the last four decades, often equally applicable to both quantum and linear acoustic problems but overwhelmingly more often expressed in the language of the former, have explored this. There is a significant new amount of theory that can be used to address problems in linear acoustics and vibration, but only a small amount of reported work does so. This book is an attempt to bridge the gap between theoreticians and practitioners, as well as the gap between quantum and acoustic. Tutorial chapters provide introductions to each of the major aspects of the physical theory and are written using the appropriate terminology of the acoustical community. The book will act as a quick-start guide to the new methods while providing a wide-ranging introduction to the physical concepts. ... Read more

Product Description
Acoustics and Psychoacoustics is ideal for students of music technology, sound recording, traditional music and acoustics, as well as engineers studying audio, multimedia and communications systems. Gain a practical understanding of how real musical sounds behave and are perceived in real spaces with this accessible and interesting read.

This third edition offers a CD of audio examples, crucial for a clear understanding of the concepts discussed.

Visit the book's supporting website athttp://books.elsevier.com/0240519957 for additional resources such as:
* Questions and exercises to test your knowledge
* Web links for further resources and research
* Audio clips
* Calculation facilities (eg. adding decibel values and converting between frequency ratio and cents/semitones)
This website can also be reached via www.focalpress.com

* A broad-ranging introduction to acoustics and psychoacoustics
* Gain a practical understanding of the subject with this highly accessible guide
* For a clear understanding of the concepts discussed follow the accompanying CD of audio examples ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great textbook
I'm using this for a class, and it's been a great resource. Sometimes I find it a bit dry, but I'm finding most of my sound recording and electronic music textbooks to be pretty dry. For example, Dodge & Jerse's textbook on computer synthesis is super boring.

A good, gentle introduction to acoustics
Seems to be an easier acoustics text than the classic Rossing and similar approaches. The focus is sufficiently practical to bring in generalist or the technician who wants to understand a bit more, but also sufficiently deep to satisfy anyone other than a physicist. But they'd just add another book on, and be happy as well. ... Read more