Notre‑Dame Organ and Acoustics: RT60 and Ritual

Notre‑Dame’s acoustic signature blends long reverberation with clear articulation. The organ claims space; the vaults answer.

🔊 Reverberation & Clarity

• RT60 envelope: High volume and stone surfaces produce rich tails.
• Articulation: Ribbed vaults scatter and diffuse mid‑highs.
• Placement: Organ pipes project along the nave axis.

$$ RT_{60} approx 0.161,rac{V}{A} quad ext{(Sabine)} $$

🎼 Liturgy & Performance

• Chant: Melodic lines envelop and carry.
• Polyphony: Rehearsed tempi respect the hall’s response.
• Modern concerts: Post‑restoration seasons recalibrate balance.

🎛️ Acoustic Notes

YAML schema:

volume: very_high
materials:
  - stone
  - wood (furnishings)
diffusion:
  vault_ribs: yes
  triforium: partial
microphones: optional_for_events

[^care]: Acoustic surveys tune seating, materials, and mic reinforcement.