Why recitations sound different in a mosque
In a large hall, sound reflects off walls, floor and dome many times before it fades. The listener hears the reciter’s voice first, followed by a soft tail that can last several seconds. That tail is what people mean by mosque reverb, and it is why the same voice sounds fuller in a prayer hall than in a bedroom.
A stairwell behaves in a similar way on a smaller scale: hard, parallel walls keep the sound ringing, which is why many people like to recite in one.
How the reverb is added
Each space is described by its acoustic fingerprint: a short recording of how that room answers a single sharp sound. The tool applies that fingerprint to your recitation, so every syllable is followed by the same reflections it would have produced in the room itself.
The "Room amount" slider sets the balance. A low setting adds a gentle sense of space. A high setting puts the listener far from the reciter in a very large hall.
Choosing the right space
For clear, measured recitation where every letter should stay distinct, try the carpeted prayer hall, the stone hall or the small prayer room. For slow, melodic recitation, the great domed hall and the marble domed chamber give long tails of six seconds or more. The stairwell and the long corridor add a brighter, ringing character.
Common questions
Are the recorded spaces real mosques?
Not yet. The generated spaces are modelled on mosque-like rooms such as prayer halls and domes. The recorded spaces are measurements of real stone and marble buildings with similar acoustics, but none of them is a mosque.
What is the difference between reverb and echo?
Reverb is the smooth tail made of thousands of reflections blending together. Echo is a distinct repeat that you can hear separately. The open courtyard and the long corridor include clear echoes; most other spaces give smooth reverb.
How much reverb should I use?
Start with the amount each space suggests, then lower it until the words stay clear. Fast recitation needs less room than slow recitation.
Can I add reverb to a recitation that already has some?
You can, but two rooms on top of each other tend to sound muddy. A dry, close recording gives the best result.