
Reverberation, on the other hand, happens when sound persists as a result of repeated reflection or scattering after the sound source has stopped.

In layman’s terms, an echo is a reflected sound wave that is audibly distinct from the source sound. An echo is a sound wave that has been reflected or otherwise returned with sufficient magnitude and delay to be detectable as a wave distinct from that which was directly transmitted. We can see the difference when we define reverb and define echo. The main similarity between the two is that both reverberation and echo happen after a sound has been made. They are actually two different sonic phenomena. There is a misconception that echo is a reverberation synonym. Reverberation vs Echo – What’s the difference?
Soundwaves definition professional#
Understanding and controlling reverberation can improve the sound quality in your home and professional environments. Reverberation is a common reason it can be difficult to carry on a conversation in a crowded room or why some people don’t sound as clear when you talk to them in a video conference.

When those sound waves hit and reflect off surfaces like walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, or even other people, that reflection can cause the sound to persist in the space even after the source of the sound has stopped, producing the sonic effect called reverberation. Īfter a sound has been made, the waves from that sound continue to travel.

The reason these things happen revolves around the types of surfaces that sound waves bounce off of in an environment and how long those sound waves take to die out after a sound has been made-the reason, in other words, is reverberation. You could be in a huge amphitheater and hear a speaker 40 yards away from you as clear as day or be in a moderately crowded office and barely be able to hear the person two feet from you. Reverberation – definition, causes, and utilizing it to your advantage
