Sound FX

Reverb 11

″Nobody knows where you are,how near or how far.″

— ″SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND,″ PINK FLOYD, WISH YOU WERE HERE(EMI RECORDS, 1975)

In the grand opera houses and symphony halls of the world, reverberation is an integral part of the music listening experience. The reverberant sound of a space is intimately bound to the sound of the music being performed within. The acoustic design of any music performance venue is directly influenced by the intended programming for the space. Musical theater, opera, classical music, chamber music, worship music, jazz — all types of music expect a specific sonic contribution from the hall.

Recorded music also places its own unique demands on reverberation. This form of music, importantly, is enjoyed ...