Gobo is a

sound recording Sound recording and reproduction is the electrical, mechanical, electronic, or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording te ...

term for a movable acoustic isolation panel. In typical use, a recording engineer might put a gobo between two musicians to increase the isolation of their microphones from each other. The origin of the term "gobo" is obscure, but is most likely short for "go-between".

Use

Gobo panels control the acoustical properties of a room by absorbing and diffusing

sound waves In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the ...

. Uses include treating

recording A record, recording or records may refer to: An item or collection of data Computing * Record (computer science), a data structure ** Record, or row (database), a set of fields in a database related to one entity ** Boot sector or boot record, ...

and mixing areas for unwanted

reverberation Reverberation (also known as reverb), in acoustics, is a persistence of sound, after a sound is produced. Reverberation is created when a sound or signal is reflected causing numerous reflections to build up and then decay as the sound is abso ...

, or to separate two or more musicians so they can play close to each other with separate microphones. Gobo panels are typically constructed to accommodate portability and storage, an advantage over more permanent acoustical room treatments.

Construction

A gobo typically consists of a wooden panel covered with

foam Foams are materials formed by trapping pockets of gas in a liquid or solid. A bath sponge and the head on a glass of beer are examples of foams. In most foams, the volume of gas is large, with thin films of liquid or solid separating the reg ...

, carpeting or other materials with sound

damping Damping is an influence within or upon an oscillatory system that has the effect of reducing or preventing its oscillation. In physical systems, damping is produced by processes that dissipate the energy stored in the oscillation. Examples incl ...

properties. A gobo can rest directly on the floor or be raised on adjustable legs.

References

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World Wide Words
– Michael Quinion writes about international English from a British viewpoint.
Merriam-Webster OnLine
Theatrical sound production Acoustics