Reverberation can be an annoying problem and is common, especially in large rooms with high ceilings and hardwood floors. Fortunately, you can reduce the echo in the room by installing sound-absorbing materials on the floor, walls, or ceiling. Some of these dampening solutions are simple and decorative, while others involve more elaborate renovations. Whatever you need, there's got to be a solution!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Quick Solution
Step 1. Install a small rug if your floor is made of wood
Sound bouncing off a hard surface creates an echo so that the wooden floor can amplify the echo in the room. Covering some areas of the floor with carpet can usually help reduce echoes because carpet absorbs sound better than wood. Small rugs can also add a pretty decorative touch to a room.
For example, choose a colorful rug or a unique pattern if your room has a dark, neutral color tone
Step 2. Install acoustic foam on walls and ceilings for a lightning solution
Purchase square acoustic foam online or at your local hardware store, then attach it to the wall with adhesive spray. This is a great way especially if you are using the room to record sound. Look for neutrals like black and gray if you want the acoustic foam to appear unobtrusive.
Choose lighter colors like red or pink if you want the acoustic foam to add a bright touch to the room
Step 3. Hang the curtains on the wall as an easy-to-reassemble option
Heavy curtains have the ability to muffle sound. In addition to being installed on the windows, also install curtains on the walls to dampen the echoes throughout the room. When buying curtains, ask the seller, which one has the best sound-canceling ability. Choose a color or pattern that matches the interior of the room.
- When hanging the curtains, you must nail the brackets to the wall to secure the curtain rails. You will need a drill, nuts or nails, brackets, and curtain rails.
- Alternatively, you can pay a professional to install it. When buying curtains, ask if they offer installation services.
Step 4. Attach a hanging rug or painting to the wall
Both of these objects can absorb sound while making the room more lively. Look for artwork you like online or in stores. Large canvases or thick wall rugs will absorb quite a lot of sound. To hang the painting, choose where you want it, attach a solid nail to the wall, then hang the painting to the nail.
There are several different ways to hang a rug on the wall. Generally, you need iron rods like when installing curtains
Step 5. If you have a large bookshelf, move it indoors
If you keep a lot of books in different rooms, move them all to the room where the echo has problems. Books can be an additional material to absorb sound and help reduce echoes. Bookshelves that have a back panel will be more effective than shelves that have an open back.
Step 6. Insert large furniture made of soft cloth
Upholstered couches, armchairs, and loveseats usually absorb sound better than furniture with leather or wood exteriors. Choose a sofa or chair from a furniture store, send it home, and place it in the room where the echo has problems. Rearrange the furniture in various positions until you find the setting that is most effective for reducing echoes.
Method 2 of 3: Making Permanent Changes
Step 1. Install the carpet throughout the room until it is completely covered
If a small rug isn't enough to reduce echoes, placing rugs throughout the room will help you get the most out of the echoes. Purchase rugs online or at your nearest home supply store. Ask them for recommendations for carpets that absorb sound well.
When buying a carpet, also ask about professional carpet installation services. Installing carpet is a difficult, time-consuming job, and requires special equipment that you may not have at home
Step 2. Install the new floor with a sound-absorbing layer
A sound-absorbing layer is installed as a base under the tiles to help the floor absorb sound more effectively. Installing this coating may be expensive and requires a lot of work, but it can dampen the echoes of a room without the need to install carpets or rugs on the floor.
In most cases, you will have to pay a professional to do it. Stores selling soundproofing usually provide a free installation service. To install a new floor with this coating, you must dismantle the old floor, add the coating, and then install the new floor on top of it
Step 3. Install the new cork flooring
Cork tends to absorb sound better than traditional wood materials such as oak or pine. Some people prefer to pay professional workers to install new flooring because it is a difficult job. To properly install a new floor, you'll need to properly cut each slat of the plank, screw it in until it fits, then nail it to the floor's foundation.
Step 4. Install mass loaded vinyl (MLV) if you want to cover the entire wall
Mass loaded vinyl is a very effective sound absorbing material. This material is more difficult to install than curtains or foam, but can completely cover drywall (gypsum board). So, it will not affect the appearance of the room.
To install MLV, you'll need to attach it to your existing wall, then apply a new layer of drywall over it for best results. Most stores that sell mass loaded vinyl also offer professional installation services. Usually, this is the best option because installing MLV is quite difficult to do
Step 5. Add insulator to help dampen the echo while keeping the room temperature stable
Like mass loaded vinyl, the insulator is installed behind the drywall. So, it will not change the appearance of the room. Insulators also have the added benefit of keeping the house warm in winter, increasing comfort and reducing electricity bills.
- Insulators are made from a variety of materials, but foam is a very effective option for reducing echo.
- To apply the insulator, you'll need to disassemble the existing drywall, use a sprayer to properly adhere the foam, then apply a new layer of drywall. In most of the cases, enlist the help of a professional to make sure the job is done properly.
Method 3 of 3: Recording in the Echo Room
Step 1. Purchase a shotgun microphone to record sound
If you want to record in a room with echo problems, a shotgun microphone can help reduce unwanted noise from your recording. Usually, these microphones do not pick up echo as well as standard microphones on laptops or cell phones. Purchase shotgun microphones online or at your local electronics store.
Step 2. Place the microphone near your mouth
Generally, microphones pick up sound best when they are placed 10 cm from the mouth. If it's too far away, the mic can pick up more echoes in the room.
Step 3. Use headphones for convenience
Before recording, use headphones to test how well the microphone picks up sound. If it catches an echo, slide the mic closer to the mouth. If that doesn't work, move the microphone to an area with less echo in the room.
