ABSTRACT
Recording studios that are judged to sound good are free from echoes, have minimal reverb with a fairly uniform RT60 with frequency, have minimal standing waves, and are well insulated from noise that occurs outside the studio. This chapter explains how to control the studio acoustics to create such a space. Echoes and reverb can make recordings sound mushy and distant. There are two ways to prevent these problems: with recording techniques and with acoustic treatment. The acoustic treatment should absorb all frequencies well. To absorb high frequencies, one can use porous materials such as convoluted acoustic foam. Standing waves are created when two waves of the same frequency move between room surfaces in opposite directions, and interfere repeatedly. The standing wave patterns occur in stationary nodes of low pressure and antinodes of high pressure. The ideal home-recording room for pop music is a large, well-sealed room with optimum dimensions.
