Drum sets characterization in acoustic laboratory

This work presents the measurement results of two drum sets (one for professional use and the other one for beginners use), played by two different drummers, carried out in the Acoustics Laboratory of the Department of Applied Physics of the University of Padova (Italy). The sound power of these drum sets has been evaluated in reverberation room, according to the methods indicated in the ISO 3741 Standard. Six common and simple drum patterns, with different rhythm speed have been played (120 BPM and 60 BPM). Then, some comparisons have been made between the whole sound power level of the drum sets, and each single drum piece of the drum set separately played. The relative third octave bands Aweighted spectrums of six grooves has been calculated in order to calculate spectrum adaptation terms for predicting the A-weighted sound pressure level in a receiving room. According to the methods indicated in the ISO 140-3 Standard, sound insulation has been measured using a drum set instead of a omnidirectional source.