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Articles tagged “NC curve

8 articles covering NC curve in acoustic engineering and building design.

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GUIDES9 min read

Background Noise Curves: NR, NC and RC Compared

Compare NR, NC, and RC background noise rating methods with worked examples showing which curve to specify for HVAC noise control in offices, studios, and hospitals.

March 20, 2026
NR curveNC curve
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INCIDENT14 min read

Dolby Atmos Cinema: The Acoustic Requirements Behind Immersive Audio

Dolby Atmos certification requires NC 30, RT60 0.2–0.3s, and 64+ speaker positions. Here's the full acoustic brief every cinema designer needs to understand.

March 18, 2026
Dolby Atmoscinema acoustics
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GUIDES13 min read

HVAC Noise Control — The Ductwork Mistake Ruining Your NC 30 Spec | AcousPlan

HVAC duct velocity above 5 m/s generates noise proportional to V⁵. NC curve calculation chain with ASHRAE method. 5 noise sources, 1 worked example.

March 18, 2026
HVAC noiseNC curve
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TUTORIALS10 min read

NC Curve Calculation from Octave-Band Measurements — Step-by-Step

Determine the NC rating from a set of octave-band background noise measurements. Step-by-step tangent curve method, controlling frequency identification, and RC Mark II comparison.

March 18, 2026
NC curveHVAC noise
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GUIDES16 min read

NC vs RC vs NCY — Which Noise Criterion? Most Engineers Pick Wrong | AcousPlan

NC misses rumble below 63 Hz. RC Mark II identifies spectral quality. NCY adds 5 dB penalty. Full comparison with decision matrix and worked example.

March 18, 2026
NC curveRC mark II
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TUTORIALS13 min read

What Is Noise Criteria (NC)? — Background Noise Rating for Buildings

NC curves rate background noise across octave bands to reflect how human hearing perceives HVAC and mechanical noise. Learn what NC numbers mean, how they are measured, and what targets apply to your building type.

March 18, 2026
NC curvenoise criteria
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STANDARDS13 min read

ASHRAE HVAC Noise Control: Handbook Chapter Summary for Acoustic Designers

ASHRAE HVAC Applications Chapter 49 is the authoritative guide for mechanical noise control in buildings. This summary covers RC/NC curve criteria, duct noise calculation, equipment selection, and silencer design for acoustic designers.

March 18, 2026
ASHRAEHVAC noise
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TUTORIALS20 min read

Noise Criteria Explained: NR, NC, and RC Curves — Which One Does Your Project Need?

NR (Noise Rating), NC (Noise Criteria), and RC (Room Criteria) all rate background noise levels in buildings — but they use different curves, different frequency ranges, and are required by different standards. Here is how each system works, when to use which, and the specific values your HVAC engineer needs to hit.

March 14, 2026
noise criteriaNR curve