You’re doing the “clap test” WRONG (how to remove FLUTTER ECHO)

Learn how to build your own professional-looking broadband bass trap that works down to 40Hz and a diffusor front that keeps your high-end lively:

So, you walk into your studio, clap your hands, and hear that zing flutter between the walls.

And now you’re convinced your mix can’t possibly translate properly, right?

Come on, it’s just flutter echo.

Sure, it’s a little annoying, but is it really that big of a deal?

If you’ve been relying on the clap test to diagnose your studio’s “problems,” let’s be honest—you probably know deep down that it’s not exactly the gold standard of acoustic testing.

But hey, who doesn’t love a good clap every now and then?

The thing is, flutter echo only shows up when sound bounces between parallel walls, and the clap test is often just telling you what you already know—or leading you to worry about things that really aren’t issues.

So why does everyone still do it?

Maybe it’s just habit, or maybe we all like to feel like we’re doing something useful with that satisfying clap.

But if you’re serious about getting your studio to sound right, you might want to dig a little deeper.

In my latest video, I show you a better way to test for flutter echoes—one that actually matters for your listening and recording positions.

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[soulchorea]

I'm notorious with my friends for always doing clap tests in spaces, and even the "vocal sweep" to find build-ups 😂 I'm sure it's super annoying haha

[Hamachingo]

I prefer the tongue clicking sound. It’s much more directional and you don’t hear the original sound in your head as much so you hear the echo more. I use it to quickly assess the room in terms of diffusion, size and where I’m not gonna put my speakers, mics or listening position.

Since I like adding flutter echo on some things in a mix, I do like to just record those things in the flutter zone.

[fescolfaro]

If you're recording in your control room, you have to take care of all positions where it may happen. What's not mentioned here is often a small carpet is the solution, because the most common parallel and close-ish walls are actually floor to ceiling.

[prodbyjshep]

I have panels on my side walls, and front wall (behind speakers), when I clap I can hear the zing and it’s really frustrating. I can hear it prominently in the listening spot and also if I clap closer to the floor I can hear the zing. Will installing carpet possibly help remove this ?

[ybergik]

I'm building a home cinema now, waiting for the sound door to arrive before the room is "sealed" (sans two air ducts). I've done some freq sweeps just to play around with REW, putting up insulation temporarely to get a feel for it all, getting the reverb down from 2+ seconds to around 0.3s, but now that the echo is gone, the clap test reveals a metalic sound I couldn't hear before. Any idea what that might be? I also don't hear it during REW's freq sweeps, so I'm working on setting up some very slow sweeping with enough time to wonder around the room listening for that metalic sound.

[spencerleehorton]

Testing my room is ongoing but I heard a weird ping at a certain point when doing the sweep, I’ve finally found that two sections of my desk ring!! I’ve put a strip of foam and some gaffa tape on it and all the ring is now gone!!
Also installed a sub in my room and it’s improved it 10 fold, are most small studios prone to the 80-100hz null in the mix position? Mine is so this has been the easiest way to get it back and actually really translates everything, REM sweeps now look so much better, there is a little bit. Ore word to do but I think sonar works can do the rest

[MSirirat]

I have no idea what the xxx sound supposed to sounds like . . . as part of the education and explanation . . . some samples would be quite helpful . . . Thanks . . .

[Typical.Anomaly]

Isn't the clap test the one with the really long cotton swab?
I don't like it at all.

[fescolfaro]

Ah yes, if you're building a recording room, then you definitely have to cover it, again, because it's easy and it will spare you a lot of troubles later.

[alexanderewing]

C'mon! Give the guy some likes. Only 10% are bothering?

[Rhythmattica]

6:03
Zing Ring Police are off to help one of your subscribers.... ;)

[jrbcjim]

Okay, Jesco, what's the trick here? You started the video with a clap test, and your room sounds about as reverberant as it looks like it would based on the camera angle you use. However, there's absolutely no reverb or echo in the narration recording. You're obviously not close-micing this. Do you use a dereverb plugin when processing your audio? What's your secret?