Gobo (recording)

Gobo is a slang term used by sound recording engineers to refer to a movable acoustic isolation panel.

An acoustics gobo is parallel in use to a photography gobo, which is used to block direct light sources, and also shares its name with the stage lighting gobo. The origin of the term “gobo” is obscure, but is most likely short for “go-between.”

Use

Gobo panels are used to control the acoustical properties of a room by absorbing and diffusing sound waves. Some possible uses include the treatment of recording and mixing areas for unwanted reverb, or to separate two or more musicians so they may play in the same room at the same time whilst being miked separately. Gobo panels are usually constructed with portability and storage in mind so that they may be stowed and retrieved at will, an advantage over more conventional acoustical room treatments.

Construction

A gobo is usually made from a wooden panel covered by foam, carpeting or other materials with sound damping properties. A gobo can either rest on the ground or be elevated by legs made from wood, plastic, or adjustable metal legs.

Manufacturers

* [http://www.forwardacoustics.com Forward Acoustics]
* [http://www.primacoustic.com/freeportxt.htm Primacousics]
* [http://www.taytrix.com/StackIt_Gobosx.html Taytrix]

References

* [http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-gob2.htm World Wide Words] - Michael Quinion writes about international English from a British viewpoint.

* [http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=gobo Merriam-Webster OnLine]