How to Reduce Flutter Echoes

Flutter echoes are among the most necessary issues to address in a recording space, auditorium, gymnasium, hallway or any other space where sound clarity is paramount. Soundproof Cow has tips and materials to help you go from flutter to udder.

What Are Flutter Echoes and Why Do They Happen?

A flutter echo is a phenomenon that occurs when a sound wave reflects off of multiple surfaces numerous times in succession. High and mid-range frequencies are susceptible to reflecting off of hard surfaces. Fluttering is most common when two hard, parallel surfaces are close together.

Sound reflects off surfaces at an angle equal to its angle of arrival. Hard surfaces allow sound waves to retain more energy than softer surfaces upon reflection. When two hard surfaces are parallel, the sound wave can reflect between them numerous times. Moving the surfaces closer together increases the flutter speed.

A long, narrow concrete tunnel can quickly create echo flutters that last multiple seconds, which is a unique occurrence. Echo flutters are less exaggerated in common residential and commercial spaces but can still become a profound disruption.

The Trouble With Flutter Echoes

Echo flutters can range from an inconvenient distraction to a total disruption, depending on the circumstance.

Fluttering in Recording Studios

Eliminating flutter echoes is crucial in a professional or home recording studio. The repetitive reflections will find their way to the microphone, leaving troublesome background noise that will complicate the mixing process.

Fluttering in Hallways

Noise levels rise quickly in busy hallways, such as those in schools. Their hard, flat surfaces receive and reflect voices, footsteps and other noises from every direction. The excess noise makes for a hectic environment.

Fluttering in Gymnasiums

Despite being large, gymnasiums are also common flutter producers. The hard walls on either side of the court cause an echo with a long enough fluttering trail to compromise clarity while an instructor speaks when projecting sound from the room’s speaker system.

Fluttering in Industrial Facilities

Noisy industrial environments become noisier when concrete walls cause a flutter loop. The reflections can cause enough of a distraction to inhibit communication between workers and create dangerous situations.

Ways to Reduce Echo Flutters

Implementing a precise acoustic treatment strategy is the key to preventing flutter echoes. Place an absorbent material in the sound wave’s path for the best results.

Determining the ideal panel placement is easiest in spaces like recording studios, auditoriums and gymnasiums where the path is most consistent. In these spaces, sound typically travels from a set of permanent speakers or the place where a vocalist stands when recording. Speakers and voices project sound in a cone shape, so place the panels on the perpendicular walls and ceiling where the sound will reach first.

Bustling hallways and warehouses reflect sound from a more random assortment of directions. Placing multiple panels on each hard wall will help to address noise from various sources.

Absorptive Materials That Prevent Echo Flutters

Numerous sound-absorbing products can prevent the reflections that cause echo fluttering. Some of the best absorbers and echo reducers are available through Soundproof Cow. Here are some of our top recommendations for echo flutter:

• Udderly Quiet® wall-mounted acoustic panels 
• Udderly Quiet® Acoustic Cloud ceiling baffles
• EccoTone™ Perforated Acoustic Wood Panels
• Art Acoustic Panels with DyeFusion™ color technology
• Udderly Quiet® Class A™ fire-rated Pyramid Acoustic Foam

Purchase Absorptive Products Through Soundproof Cow

Soundproof Cow acoustic products set the stage for crisp, clear sound and nuisance-free environments. If you are looking for a solution to fluttering echoes, we have numerous products that can help. Browse our sound absorption products for an overview of our offerings, or contact us online to get a free acoustic analysis for your space.