The Pickball Anechoic Chamber
The Chamber in Use
The video above illustrates the use of an echo free (anechoic) chamber. Its purpose is to provide a quiet setting for measuring the entire set of acoustic characteristics of a pickleball striking a paddle. This tall chamber enables us to use gravity to establish the speed of contact in a controlled manner. The sounds generated in the chamber are deteched by a calbrated microhone inside the chamber, which is connected to an external computer running world class sound measurememnt software.
The sound level is measured first, using the well defined acoustics metric of LAFmax and then the various pitch components are determined by using a Fast Fourier Transform audio spectrum analyzer program. The procedure includes an analysis of data from multiple ball drops, from which a median value and maximum sound level value can be established. Before each test run, a reference paddle is first tested for control purposes and to confirm proper operation and calibration of the equipment.
The photo below is the inside of the chamber, seen from above the vise mounted paddle. Balls scattered on the fiberglass floor are from previous ball drops.
