Music production guide

Reduce room reverb in your home studio: 7 quick improvements

Less room reverb often starts with position, the room and a few simple checks rather than new equipment.

The seven steps

Avoid the exact center of the room. A position near useful soft surfaces often sounds more controlled than the middle between parallel walls.
Use soft surfaces. Curtains, a filled bookshelf or clothing can reduce early reflections. A thin blanket is only a temporary aid, not a replacement for acoustic treatment.
Turn away from hard surfaces. Windows, bare walls and large desks reflect sound. Change the direction and compare two short test recordings.
Keep the microphone distance steady. A consistent distance increases the direct signal and makes the recording easier to control. A pop filter also helps with vocals and speech.
Remove noise sources. Fans, open windows, humming power supplies and air conditioning all become part of the recording. Listen for half a minute before starting.
Try a clap test. Clap once and listen for a long flutter or ring. If the room sounds obvious, change the position or surroundings before processing.
Compare two short test recordings. Record the same part in two positions and listen on headphones. A better position beats repairing excessive reverb later.

Find more practical tips for recording, mixing and releasing music in the SoundNexus guides.