What is a Room Mode?
A room mode is a low-frequency standing wave formed when sound reflects between parallel walls. Modes create bass peaks (+12 dB) and nulls (-24 dB) at different spots in your room.
Types of Room Modes
- Axial Modes (Strongest): Reflect between 2 opposing parallel walls. They create the largest bass peaks and nulls.
- Tangential Modes (Medium): Reflect off 4 walls. They carry half the energy of axial modes.
- Oblique Modes (Weakest): Reflect off all 6 surfaces (4 walls + floor + ceiling).
Schroeder Crossover Frequency
The Schroeder frequency (typically 100 Hz to 250 Hz in small rooms) marks the boundary below which room acoustics are dominated by individual standing waves. Below, use thick corner bass traps. Above, use standard acoustic panels.
Related reading
- Home Studio Acoustic Treatment Guide — where bass traps go once you know your mode frequencies.
- Simulating 3D Room Modes in the Browser — how the underlying solver works.
Solve room modes in 3D
View spatial pressure heatmaps and place corner bass traps in a real 3D model.