three levels...

[Andrew Wilby]

> There is another aspect to 3 tier frames.... the results they produce.
>
> One problem is that volume decreases as the sound travels downward to the
> ringer by a significant amount. This varies from installation to
> installation but can be as much as 1dB per metre. This means that the
bells
> on the top can be significantly quieter than those on the bottom. Where
the
> biggest are on top this can produce an ok result but the opposite can be
> very unsatisfactory indeed and very difficult to cure.
>
> Another problem is the very slow speed of sound which makes multi-tiered
> installations less than satisfactory.
>
> A little exercise done at Ipswich a few years ago indicated as follows:
>
> Circumstances... back 4 bells in top frame adjacent to louvres, front 8 in
> frame a few metres lower.
> The calculation based on the distance between the two frames showed that
the
> sound of the back bells would reach the ringers ears 10% of the standard
gap
> in 12 (at 3h 30 speed) later than the front 8.
> The consequence being that even struck ringing to the ringers would sound
as
> though the back 4 were clipping to the outside audience and that margin of
> error would certainly be markable in the 12 bell contest. Therefore it is
> an instrument where an accurate public performance is well nigh
impossible.
>
> Where multi tiers have equal access to the louvres this would not be a
> problem but where this is not so it can self-evidently produce a really
poor
> result.
>
> I was just going on to say that we would not put a piano miles away from
the
> orcheatra for a piano concerto, but then on reflection that is exactly
what
> happens in many big churches where the organ is sited well away from the
> choir!
>
> Hmmm!
>
>
> Andrew
>
> Ps: Isn't Groby near Leicester a 3 tier job?
>