A proposal for the acoustic characterization of circular bullrings

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to facilitate the experimental measurement of acoustic metrics in circular bullrings in accordance with the ISO 3382 standards and to enable the comparison of acoustic measurements and simulations for the various types of bullrings. The proposal analyzes those items in the standard that exert a certain influence on acoustic measurement in bullrings. Based on the identification of the sound sources and audience areas characteristic of bullfights, several locations are proposed, and the most suitable source-receiver combinations are recommended for the description of the acoustic field of bullfighting. Practical considerations are also made, such as typologies and axes, to be taken into account when referencing sources and receivers, as are the environmental conditions in a space strongly influenced by direct sunlight. As an illustration of the procedure, an experimental campaign in the bullring of Las Ventas in Madrid is carried out. The analysis shows that the proposed procedure is highly suitable for this type of building and provides detailed acoustic information regarding the seats for all the sound sources that participate in the spectacle.