What is it?

To begin with, let's examine some details and answer the key question: what is reverberation? The echoes we have already discussed often go unnoticed by our perception. But everything changes when we are in a concert hall, a stadium, or a sound room.

If the reverberation artifact were absent, then the quality of sound and perception would change significantly compared to what we can hear. Without reverberation, everything around us would sound strange, sterile, and dry. Therefore, this effect can rightly be considered useful and sometimes simply necessary. The only question is that it needs to be properly configured and managed.

Acoustic reverberation's main task and function are to provide a unique sound, create a mood, and create a spatial effect. Professional musicians actively use this effect and try to convey it during live performances and studio audio recordings.

Let's consider the reverberation definition in more detail. It is a special acoustic effect. It occurs when sound waves reflect from various surfaces in a room, regardless of its size and area. It provokes the appearance of even more reflections. The interval between them is extremely short, and therefore our hearing is not able to perceive all these vibrations separately. We hear all the echoes simultaneously due to the minimal reverberation time (0.15-0.3 seconds).

It is important to add that reverberation waves are more intense in more spacious and large rooms. Even if the sound source is turned off, we continue to hear reflections from surfaces for some time. Modern technologies offer excellent opportunities for creating and managing this acoustic effect. We can use special modifications and equipment and create the conditions to improve the sound quality in halls and studios. The main task of such solutions is to change, strengthen or weaken natural reverberation.

Varieties

Understanding the reverberation meaning and having figured out the key features of this acoustic effect, we can move on to the next review stage - these are the types of used reverberators and special equipment.

Musicians and sound engineers have always tried to find ways to control this sound effect, designing and creating various tools. Even 30-40 years ago, the first installations for reverberation ultrasound were huge modules that weighed tens of kilograms and took up a lot of space. Therefore, there was no way to transport equipment to concerts and performances. Today, such solutions have become much more compact and easier to transport.

Acoustic chambers

Initially, it was possible to control the reverberation of sound only with the help of special rooms with the appropriate characteristics. Depending on the area of the room, musicians managed to achieve certain results. For example, the sound was voluminous and spatial in large studio rooms or basements. Rooms resembling bathrooms were used to obtain light and focused reverberation.

Oddly enough, despite developing digital technologies and solutions, many sound engineers still use real rooms, prepared studios, etc.

Mechanical type reverberation

Over time, the reverberation room has acquired an excellent alternative in the form of mechanical solutions that allow you to control this acoustic effect. Two types of existing devices are widely used in the music industry.

• Plate reverberators. Their operating principle is based on repeating the behavior of sound waves in space, implemented in miniature. Sound waves pass through a special plate as if in a special room. The location of the speakers and microphones plays an important role in this. The technology has certain disadvantages due to the large dimensions of the plates and the microphone's capture of extraneous sounds.

• Spring. The operating principle is similar to the previous type in many ways. Only here, the plates were replaced with springs through which sound signals pass. The design does not use speakers and a microphone, so the dimensions are more compact. The solution allows you to get a bright and memorable sound effect.

However, a new branch of development is the emergence of digital reverberation.

What you need to know about digital reverberation

Having discussed the meaning of reverberation, we now need to discuss modern digital solutions in more detail. This effect has been integrated into combo amplifiers, processors, effect pedals, etc. As a result, musicians can emulate the space of various rooms and recreate the sound of all types of reverberation, including plate and spring.

The advent of impulses has made the sound from digital reverberators even more realistic. Now, there is no need to look for a special room, arrange microphones in a certain way, and so on. However, some musicians and sound engineers believe that such music loses its naturalness and becomes completely artificial. Whether you agree with this opinion or not, the decision is yours.

Now you know what are reverberation waves and what these effects are.

Contact UA Acoustics

If you want to create an excellent recording studio or organize a music hall, then the UA Acoustics store will become your reliable partner. Here you will find highly effective solutions that can help you deal with a variety of issues, including increased reverberation, early reflection points, and more.

Our special acoustic panels are able to absorb and reflect reverberation, positively affecting sound effects, the sound of music and providing the right filtering for listening. After all, if you simply reduce reverberation, the sound will be dry and inexpressive.

Additionally, you can use highly effective diffusers designed to dissipate reverberation. And bass traps do an excellent job at low frequencies and absorb unnecessary effects, guaranteeing the highest quality and deep sound.

Contact our store to select the necessary products and elements for the studio. Our managers will be happy to advise you and help you make the right decision depending on your individual needs.