Acoustic Treatment and Sound Quality in the Studio

The gear you use matters, but the space around you shapes your sound just as much. Room acoustics can make or break a recording, and the difference between an untreated bedroom and a professionally treated studio is huge. In the sections below, we’ll answer common questions like why is reflected sound bad for audio recording, how to remove room reflections, and whether you should record in a live or dead room – so you understand exactly how environment impacts sound quality.

Why Is Reflected Sound Bad for Audio Recording?

One of the most overlooked parts of recording is the room itself. Why is reflected sound bad for audio recording? Because when sound bounces off untreated walls and ceilings, it creates reflections that blend with the sound from your speakers and distort what you hear. If you mix in a space like that, your track might sound right in the room but completely wrong everywhere else.

How We Remove Reflections

How to remove room reflections? Every one of our rooms is fully treated with professional acoustic design. We use:

  • Bass traps to control low frequencies
  • Diffusers to scatter mid and high frequencies
  • Absorptive panels to tame harsh highs

Most studios just throw up foam on the walls. We go far beyond that, fully covering walls and ceilings with treatments that create an accurate listening environment.

Live Rooms vs Dead Rooms

Which is preferable when recording audio in a live or dead room? We offer both, because each serves a unique purpose.

  • Dead rooms are fully treated with no reflections at all. They deliver clean, dry recordings, perfect for vocals and voiceovers.
  • Live rooms are designed with just the right amount of reflection to enhance live instruments and give them natural character.

Which room is best depends on the sound you’re going for. Drums and guitars often shine in a live room, while vocals usually benefit from the control of a dead room.

What Is a Dead Room in a Recording Studio?

A dead room is a space treated to eliminate reflections entirely. It allows microphones to capture only the direct sound source without added coloration from the room itself. This makes it the ideal environment for clean, precise recordings.

Record Dry, Add Effects Later – Should You Record With or Without Reverb?

Should you record with or without reverb? The answer is clear: always record without it. Reverb is simply a collection of tiny echoes layered together. If you record with it, you’re stuck with it – you can’t remove it later. By recording dry, you preserve flexibility and gain full creative control to add effects during the mix.

The Highest Quality Possible

What is the best sound quality you can get? We capture audio at up to 32-bit / 192 kHz – the highest digital sample rate available. This preserves every detail of your performance and ensures professional-grade recordings that stand up to major-label standards.

Explore Our Recording Studio Locations

We’re proud to provide world-class spaces across Los Angeles so you can create where you feel most inspired. Whether you’re looking for recording studios in Los Angeles at the heart of the city, the vibe and energy of recording studios in Studio City, the comfort and accessibility of recording studios in Canoga Park, or the professional setups at recording studios in Burbank, we have a location that fits your project perfectly. Each studio offers the same high-quality equipment, acoustically treated rooms, and expert support that make The Room Studios a trusted choice for artists at every level.