Categories
Studio Acoustics

RT60 Calculator

This is a basic, non-axial Sabin calculator for RT60, the length of time in seconds it takes for a signal to drop 60db. For a recording studio, this should be about .20-.40s at 1000Hz, for a vocal boot it should be < .20s. A home theater or music room has slightly looser tolerances.

This is a basic, non-axial Sabin calculator for RT60, the length of time in seconds it takes for a signal to drop 60db. For a recording studio, this should be about .20-.40s at 1000Hz, for a vocal boot it should be < .20s. A home theater or music room has slightly looser tolerances.

There are more complex (and accurate) methods of determining RT60 along various axes, or with assumptions of less evenly-distributed absorption (because who has a perfectly symmetrical room?) but for the most part, this will help determine just how much acoustic treatment your room will need.

Room Length:
Room Width:
Room Height:

Basic assumptions for these calculations: This is a standard household room, primarily drywall walls and ceiling, carpeted floor. The treatment described is 2″ mineral wool/fiberglass panels, of the variety available from many DIY sources.

By Eric Oehler

Senior Engineer

Founder and owner of Submersible Studios, Eric enjoys talking about microphones and buying audio software he doesn't especially need. He also spends an awful lot of time with a RTA and a reference mic trying to get the acoustics of the studio juuuust right.