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Audio Gear Glossary
161 termsEvery audio term explained in plain English — with product recommendations.
31 terms in Room Acoustics
Room AcousticsThe way sound behaves in a physical space — including reflections, standing waves, and reverberation — which significantly affects how recordings and mixes sound.Reverberation (Reverb)The persistence of sound after the original source stops, caused by multiple reflections in an enclosed space — too much room reverb makes recordings sound distant and amateur.Acoustic TreatmentMaterials placed in a room to control reflections, reduce reverb, and manage bass buildup — making recordings cleaner and mixes that translate better to other speakers.Standing Wave (Room Mode)A pattern of fixed peaks and nulls in bass frequency response caused by sound reflecting between parallel walls — makes room acoustics uneven and mixing unreliable.AbsorptionThe process by which a material takes in sound energy rather than reflecting it — porous materials like foam absorb mid and high frequencies to reduce echoes.AcousticsThe science of how sound is produced, transmitted, and received — in audio, it refers to how a room's characteristics affect what you hear.Bass ManagementThe process of routing, timing, and level-matching low frequencies in a multi-speaker system with a subwoofer.Bass TrapsThick acoustic absorbers placed in room corners to reduce low-frequency buildup and standing waves.BoomyExcessive, resonant bass concentrated in a narrow frequency range — often caused by room modes, creating a 'one-note' bass.Comb FilteringAn interference effect creating a series of peaks and dips in frequency response — caused when direct sound combines with a delayed copy.Cumulative Spectral Decay (CSD)A waterfall graph showing how sound energy decays over time at each frequency — reveals lingering resonances.DecayThe way sound fades after its initial peak — in a room, it refers to the persistence of sound due to reverberation.Decay Time (RT60)The time for sound to decrease by 60 dB in a space — long decay causes muddiness; short decay sounds dry.DiffractionThe bending and spreading of sound waves around objects or through openings — why you hear sound from around corners.DiffusionEvenly scattering sound reflections in multiple directions over time — preserves spaciousness while eliminating distinct echoes.Digital Room Correction (DRC)Technology using DSP to analyze room acoustics and apply corrective EQ and timing adjustments to compensate for acoustic problems.Impulse Response (IR)A measurement capturing how a room or device responds to an extremely short, sharp sound — contains frequency, phase, and decay information.Loudspeaker-Room InteractionThe combined effect of speaker placement and room geometry on the sound reaching the listener — the primary target of room correction.MIMO (Multi-Input, Multi-Output)Signal processing treating multiple speakers as a coordinated system — all speakers work together to control room acoustics.Modal Resonance / Room ModeA standing wave at a frequency directly related to room dimensions — creates peaks (boosts) and nulls (cancellations) at specific locations.Null / Cancellation ZoneA location where sound waves arrive out of phase and cancel — creating a 'dead spot' with significantly reduced volume.Pink NoiseRandom noise with equal energy per octave — corresponds more closely to human hearing than white noise for calibration.Reference / Target CurveThe desired frequency response a correction system aims to achieve — not always perfectly flat; often includes a gentle bass boost.ReflectionA sound wave bouncing off a surface — the timing and strength of reflections define a room's acoustic character.Room CorrectionUsing digital analysis and filtering to compensate for acoustic problems caused by room resonances and speaker placement.Room ModeA low-frequency resonance tied to room dimensions — creates peaks and nulls throughout the room, making bass mixing unreliable.Schroeder FrequencyThe transition frequency in a room below which individual room modes dominate — typically 150–250 Hz in home studios.Spatial Room Impulse Response (SRIR)A multi-channel measurement capturing magnitude, timing, AND spatial characteristics of reflections — for advanced immersive audio correction.Sweet SpotThe primary listening position where the system performs optimally — stereo image is focused and frequency response is most balanced.Target CurveThe desired frequency response a correction system aims for — typically with gentle bass boost and treble roll-off.Waterfall Plot3D visualization combining frequency response with decay over time — effectively reveals room resonances and speaker ringing.
📖 161 audio terms explained. Browse our guides for practical how-tos.