Impulse Response Recording: Transients Method

This method involves the recording of an impulse in a space, using a device such as a starter pistol. The gunshot is the impulse, and the audio file you record captures both the impulse (gunshot) and the room response.

The advantage of this method is that the recorded audio file can be used in Space Designer without any further processing. You can use Impulse Response Utility to record your starter pistol impulses, and then combine them into a Space Designer Impulse Response (.sdir) file (and Space Designer setting file).

The disadvantage of this method is that it’s extremely difficult to make a perfect, undistorted recording of a starter pistol shot. This is due to the extremely loud nature of the initial transient of the shot. A further issue is that starter pistol shots contain very little high or bass frequency information—which, in turn, limits the usable frequency range of the convolved reverb.