Early reflections are signals that have bounced off the walls, ceiling and floors and arrive at our listening position later in time, mixing with the direct signal. They are called early or "first" reflections because listening tests have shown that when multiple reflections are received within 20 milliseconds of the direct sound, they are perceived as part of the original. This alters the tonal balance and confuses vocals and dialog.
Sound panels are available from various acoustical material suppliers and can be obtained in a variety of fabric and finish options to blend with or complement most interior schemes. When the budget can't afford them, attractive homemade sound panels can be constructed easily using compressed fiberglass (Owens-Corning #703) covered with fabric. For improved low frequency effectiveness, use 2" thick panels and stand them off the wall a bit, or use thicker material.
Slap echoes are reflections that bounce back and forth between bare parallel walls. They can be easily identified by clapping your hands and listening for ringing. You'll find, as you clap and move from the middle of the room towards one end, that the slap echo pitch and ring duration will change. This relates to the different round trip distances the sounds travel as they leave your hands, head off in different directions, bounce off the front and back walls, and pass you by.
Some common methods of treating slap echoes are the "live end, dead end" scheme and the "dead end, live end" scheme. Both methods involve treating one end of the listening room, leaving the other end "live" for a natural room ambience.
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
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Experiencing Worship, The Study