Damping - The loss of energy in a vibration system, usually through friction.

In reference to power amplifiers, the damping specification is the ability of the amplifier to control speaker motion once signal has stopped. The effects of damping are most apparent at low frequencies - an amplifier with a high damping factor will make a speaker sound "tighter" in the low end, while low damping factors result in indistinct bass.

The process of deadening the sound of an instrument by limiting its ability to resonate. For example, you damp a drumhead in order to limit the amount of ringing you hear in the drum.

I have a set of V-drums and live in a 2nd story apartment. I need to reduce to sound transmitted through the floor when I hit the foot pedals. The floor has carpet and I also have 3 area rugs available as well as sheets of particle board and laminate plywood. What would be the best way to do this?

Hey,
I am recording hip hop in a home studio. I have a good quality Shure vocal mic. I've built a mic booth before, but I don't have the space or resources to go through that process again. I'm set up in the corner of a room with flat walls and ceiling and a hardwood floor. Predictably, I have a horrible flat echo on my vocal tracks.