What we do

ACOUSTIC SERVICES

At Marshall Day Acoustics (MDA) we provide specialist consulting in all areas of acoustics. We have expertise in noise and vibration for a wide variety of projects including intricate performing arts spaces, large-scale civic and commercial developments, and expansive industry and transportation infrastructure.

In our team, we have expert skills in traditional areas (environmental, building and room acoustics) as well as more specialised fields like vibration, marine and underwater acoustics, sound insulation theory and data acquisition.

We collaborate with our clients, architects and other consultants. Our expertise in all aspects of acoustic prediction, development, assessment, and mitigation enables us to work with project teams to meet the desired project outcomes. Recognising commercial realities and achieving balance between quality and cost objectives is something we take very seriously.

We provide our advice in the most appropriate way for each project. This may include delivering reports, design advice, peer reviews, expert evidence, seminars, community and stakeholder consultation, developing policies and guideline or virtual reality simulations.

  • Carefully designed and effective building acoustics are important for making sure indoor environments are fit for purpose. How sound behaves in a building can impact the occupant’s experience, productivity, and general wellbeing.

    Architecture involves many fields of acoustics, which must be planned and coordinated with other disciplines to comply with a myriad of regulations and standards. Factors include controlling sound and vibration transmission between rooms, reverberation control within spaces, speech privacy, building services noise and vibration control, intrusion from outdoor noise sources like traffic, aircraft, rail, and other environmental noise.

    Our architectural acoustics work involves collaborating with developers, architects, contractors, planners and government authorities to design effective, comfortable, and sustainable acoustical environments. We developed the internationally acclaimed sound insulation prediction software INSUL. We provide total acoustic design for projects like educational and healthcare facilities; performing arts centres; sports and stadia; civic, commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments; entertainment and licensed premises and places of worship.

  • Environmental acoustics involves assessing noise and vibration in the environment. Noise from heavy industry and manufacturing, road/rail/air traffic, port operations, energy generation, mining and material processing, and construction activities needs to be managed according to relevant standards. Considering noise is critical in all aspects of land use planning and assessing environmental effects.

    Our experienced consultants have an excellent understanding - and are regularly involved in developing - national and international standards, policies, laws and regulations, which can significantly vary by state, territory and country.

    Environmental noise services that we provide include noise and vibration monitoring, modelling and assessment; noise and vibration control and mitigation design; environmental effects assessments for consent applications; preparation and presentation of expert evidence; research and preparation of government policies.

  • Since our foundation in 1981, we have been at the forefront of innovative acoustic solutions for performance arts venues around the world. We pioneered design concepts that prioritise envelopment and spatial impression for the audience - a theory that is now considered an essential element of the world's best concert halls.

    Our ongoing research in room acoustics comes from our desire to provide a transcendent experience for performers and audience alike. We use the latest computer software and scale modelling techniques in the design process, and have developed industry-leading spatial audio software called IRIS. This enables us to create room auralisation that allows designers and clients to 'hear' how the space will sound before a single brick has been laid.

    We provide complete acoustic consultancy for all types of communication and performing arts spaces, including theatres, churches, conference rooms, multi-purpose halls and concert halls.

    The ideal acoustic environment in performance auditoria is one where both performers and audience participate in a shared experience - where artistic expression is conveyed with warmth and intimacy. The most challenging and rewarding aspect of our role is balancing architectural function and aesthetics whilst achieving the precise acoustic requirements of symphony, recital, opera and theatre performances.

  • Sound transmits and propagates differently underwater and requires a unique set of assessment techniques. Our team has an in-depth understanding of marine and underwater acoustic challenges thanks to our extensive involvement in major projects in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. We work on projects involving ports, shipping, super yachts, underwater demolition and ambient noise studies.

    We provide a great depth of national and international experience in all facets of marine noise, both above and below the water line. Our underwater acoustics (or hydro-acoustics) expertise is supported by dBWav and dBSea, our proprietary software packages for analysing hydrophone recordings and predicting underwater noise.

    Our marine and underwater acoustics work includes measuring and modelling noise; assessing noise impacts on port communities and marine fauna; developing construction noise management plans and community engagement; industrial noise control for port activities and ships, and super yacht design (ensuring owner satisfaction with indoor environments, sound insulation, vibration control, drivetrain and services noise).

  • We measure, predict and assess environmental vibration from construction sites, road, rail and quarrying activities. People are vibration-sensitive, and get concerned if they feel vibration in their homes. We work with contractors and authorities to monitor vibration levels and give context to any vibration complaints.

    We also assess vibration inside buildings from mechanical services, ducts, pipes, nearby transportation and occupant movement. This is a complex field, requiring considerable experience based on many years of delivering successful projects.

    Designing, specifying, supervising installations and commissioning vibration control systems for mechanical plant are important factors of this work.

  • We have extensive experience and expertise in commercial and industrial noise control. Our clients include a wide range of companies within the commercial/industrial sector, as well as local authorities and community groups and or businesses.

    Commercial and industrial noise can be a nuisance for people living near commercial zones, with noisy activities occurring throughout the day and night. Noise exposure for employees is also a concern, with regulations that need to be met. Typical sources of noise include heavy vehicle movements, loaders, noise from internal and external machinery and mechanical services plant.

    We have developed extensive capabilities in noise prediction and mitigation techniques. We model, calculate and analyse activity noise levels at the design and development phase. To minimise the noise impacts, we recommend practicable noise control solutions to meet noise rules and promote good working relationships between all parties involved.

  • We are happy to extend our expertise to clients, and offer a range of technical courses and seminars. Many lawyers, planners, architects, engineers, councils, government agencies and other experts have engaged with our presentations. We cover a range of topics including:

    • Acoustics 101

    • Local and regional noise/vibration control policies

    • Environmental acoustics: roads, rail, air and wind farms

    • Construction noise

    • Auditorium acoustics

    • Atria and open plan offices

    • Sound insulation and building regulations

    We develop and tailor course content based on your specific needs, and training sessions can be held at our offices, external venues, at your premises, or online.

    If you are interested in one of our seminars, for a group of any size, please get in touch.