Relating acoustics, soundscapes, and metaphysical perceptions in San Francisco de la Espada Church (San Antonio Missions—Texas)

The soundscape study (based on ISO 12913-1/2/3) uses a recorded rendition of the hymn “Blessed Assurance” by Alan Jackson, from the sanctuary of San Francisco de la Espada Church (San Antonio Missions) (volume = 13 953 ft3; l:w:h =4.19:1.32:1). The soundscape for the above rendition was recorded at different locations in the church to analyze the binaural parameters: Loudness (Sottek Hearing Model, ECMA-418-2 4th Edition) (N5), Sharpness (Aures) (S), Fluctuation Strength (Sottek Hearing Model, ECMA-418-2 4th Edition) (F), and Tonality (Sottek Hearing Model, ECMA-418-2 3rd Edition) (T) (using ArtemiS SUITE 17). The binaural interaural XY plot of unweighted level (53–95 dB ) versus time (at 5 ms manual time weighting) showed interesting results. The major axis of the plot at the mid-nave location in the church rotated very slightly counterclockwise relative to the major axis of the plots at other recording locations, exhibiting a “fatter” spread. The triangulation of this unique “X–Y” plot with optimal metaphysical perception of “heightened awareness,” at mid-nave recording location, is significant. The mid-nave location in this church also recorded mono-aural measures of RT60 = 1.27 s, C80 (music) = 3.01 dB, TS (music) = 77 ms, D50 (speech) = 55%, STI = 0.61, and BR = 0.94 (by ISO 3382 standards, analyzed by ARTA version 1.9.8).