Reverberation: Advantages, Applications, and Reducing Methods

Reverberation is the persistence of sound after it has been stopped by multiple reflections from objects, such as furniture, people, and air.

• A sound is a form of energy that produces a sensation in the ears, sometimes it calms our body, and other times it causes a kind of irritation.
• For example, the sound produced by a clap reaches our ears through a medium.
• It is produced by mechanical energy and if needed it is amplified and then transferred to a wide range of people.
• The mediums also affect the actual sound.
• Reverberation is similar to echo.
• However, the distance between the source of the sound and the obstruction through which it is reflected is shorter.
• The parameter known as reverberation time is mainly used to quantitatively characterize reverberation.
• Reverberation time is referred to as the length of time it takes for a sound to decay by around 60 dB from its initial level.

Key Terms: Reverberations, Sound, Acoustics, Reverberation time, Echo, Sound energy, Mechanical energy, Reflection, Decibel, Speed of sound, Frequency

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What is Reverberation?

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Reverberation is defined as the existence or persistence of sound although the sound from the source has stopped.

• It is mainly due to multiple reflections from the walls, furniture, people, and other aspects.
• This persistence of sound only stops after it is completely reduced due to multiple reflections.

Reverberation is frequency dependant and the time of reverberation is also calculated.

• The reflections that arrive in a sequence in less than 50ns are said to have the presence of reverberations.
• Reverberation time is calculated based on the sound to decay up to 60 decibels starting from the initial level when the original sound is stopped.
• This time calculation varies from narrow bands to broad bands.
• Reverberation time is not less than 0.1 seconds and this reverberated sound is not stored in our memory.

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Types of Reverbs

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Though there is a loss of original sound due to reverberation certain types of reverbs are used to add special effects to the sound.

Hall Reverb

These replicate the sound of a concert hall.

• These are great for adding space to strings and pads and thickening up.
• It makes the original sound coordinate with other instruments.

Chamber Reverb

These reverbs are similar to halls, and give you a lush and ambiance-soaked sound.

• In addition to that, these give you extra clarity that safeguards against the washed-out effect.
• These are used to amplify a specific track of sound and are comparatively better than Hall Reverbs.

Room Reverb

These are limited to rooms and are known for delivering natural sound to users.

• These are useful for all kinds of instruments such as guitars, pianos, and drums.
• These give us an experience of the real world.

Plate Reverbs

In this, vibrations are passed through a large plate and captured with a microphone.

• It was used in the early '80s and '90s, especially for high-pitch songs.
• These are known to elevate a certain soundtrack.

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Advantages of Reverberations

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The following are the advantages of reverberations

• These often enhance the original sound quality.
• Some of the concerts sound magical due to reverberations.
• Increases depth of sound without changing pitch.
• It makes music sound even much better than the original.

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Disadvantages of Reverberation

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The following are the disadvantages of reverberation

• If it is just a normal room then reflections won't stop and sound will not stop.
• It sometimes results in a loss of originality of words.
• The listener will be confused between the original and reflected sound and he can't even understand anything
• It is highly undesirable and causes anxiety in listeners.
• It affects communication and sometimes confuses the speaker due to repeated reflections.

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Applications of Reverberations

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The following are the applications of reverberations

• Used in enhancing soundtracks, and quality.
• Chamber reverbs use these to increase the listener experience.
• Plate reverb collects the vibrations and transforms them into microphones.
• Used in guitars, digital workshops drums, and other instruments.

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Ways to reduce Reverberations

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Though it has some advantages it is undesirable so here are some ways to reduce it-

• Sound-absorbent materials such as fiberboard, rough plaster and draperies, and compressed materials are used to seal the roofs of auditoriums.
• Porous materials like miner wool and fiberglass are also used as absorbents.
• Heavy curtains to doors and windows can absorb the sound.
• Panels and cardboard materials are also used for the ceiling of auditoriums.

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Things to Remember

• Reverberations happen in a period of 0.1 seconds.
• Reverberation time is calculated after the original sound is stopped.
• Chamber reverbs are comparatively better than hall reverbs because they provide extra clarity.
• Plate reverbs were found to have a great demand in the early 70s for Western music.
• Proper ceilings with sound-absorbent materials should be done in closed halls for proper propagation of sound.