Acoustic panels

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Helping a friend build a basement studio.

Are there alternatives to expensive acoustic products, e.g.
absorption, diffraction, bass traps, etc.? I'm not talking egg
cartons here, but is the foam available in places like Home Depot a
passable substitute? If not, can we order our own foam from somewhere
and create our own panels or reflectors? I'm talking about sound
quality more then soundproofing.

We still haven't done a real analysis of the acoustics, so I don't
really know what we need to get a decent sound. We're not looking for
perfect, and I'd rather play then spend forever fooling around with
this stuff.

Swyck

[Brian Standefer]

> Are there alternatives to expensive acoustic products, e.g.
> absorption, diffraction, bass traps, etc.? I'm not talking egg
> cartons here, but is the foam available in places like Home Depot a
> passable substitute? If not, can we order our own foam from somewhere
> and create our own panels or reflectors? I'm talking about sound
> quality more then soundproofing.
>
> We still haven't done a real analysis of the acoustics, so I don't
> really know what we need to get a decent sound. We're not looking for
> perfect, and I'd rather play then spend forever fooling around with
> this stuff.

Try this link: http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html it might have some
ideas for you.

Good Luck,
Brian

[hollywood_steve]

If you are looking for a DIY solution, rather than packaged acoustical
products, here's another website to check out:
http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php

The short answer is avoid the foam products (have you ever seen any
purple foam in one of the top tier studios?) and look for materials
like rigid fiberglass insulation and variations like mineral fiber
board, rock wool, etc. These products can be used to fabricate
complex panel traps or they can just be wrapped in cloth and hung up
around the room. But you can save lots of trial and error if you put
in some careful analysis of your existing room and develop a plan
specific to your situation.

Improving your room's acoustical performance isn't as much fun as
shopping for new gear, and it can be a lot more work. But the results
are worth it.


Steve
Lexington 125 - high resolution location recording


www.lexington125.com

[Kalman Rubinson]

On Sun, 18 Jul 2004 20:57:14 -0700, playon <playonATcomcast.net>
wrote:

>Traps in the corners, & bales of fiberglass hanging from the ceiling.

My wife will love that!

Kal

[Deaf Mellon MESA]

wrote in message >...
> Helping a friend build a basement studio.
>
> Are there alternatives to expensive acoustic products, e.g.
> absorption, diffraction, bass traps, etc.? I'm not talking egg
> cartons here, but is the foam available in places like Home Depot a
> passable substitute? If not, can we order our own foam from somewhere
> and create our own panels or reflectors? I'm talking about sound
> quality more then soundproofing.
>
> We still haven't done a real analysis of the acoustics, so I don't
> really know what we need to get a decent sound. We're not looking for
> perfect, and I'd rather play then spend forever fooling around with
> this stuff.
>
> Swyck

I bought some Mini Traps and they help a lot. I also built some 2x4
absorbers from one inch OC 703 ridged fiberglass. I doubled the bats,
wrapped them in cheap burlap, and hung them around the room and from
the ceiling. I think they help, mixes translate better. Worth every
cent in supplies and labor.

DaveT

[JoVee]

at wrote on 7/18/04 2:34 PM:

> Helping a friend build a basement studio.
>
> Are there alternatives to expensive acoustic products, e.g.
> absorption, diffraction, bass traps, etc.? I'm not talking egg
> cartons here, but is the foam available in places like Home Depot a
> passable substitute? If not, can we order our own foam from somewhere
> and create our own panels or reflectors? I'm talking about sound
> quality more then soundproofing.
>
> We still haven't done a real analysis of the acoustics, so I don't
> really know what we need to get a decent sound. We're not looking for
> perfect, and I'd rather play then spend forever fooling around with
> this stuff.

Yo9u'll get exactly what you plan for...


A)
The I-don't-Care-How-It-Sounds-I-Just-Wanna-Build-Something answer:
Find a good local REAL lumberyard/contractor supply that carries
boxes o' Corning 703 compressed fibreglas panels (2" is nice)
these panels are 2' x 4' in the box
bunch o' polyfill quilt batting (LARGE sheets)
bunch o' 1x4 lumber
bunch o' sheets masonite / pegboard / 1/4"plywood
glue, drywall screws etc
frame out a tray/box with the 1x4 that's 2'x4' (Inside measure or outside...
-you- choose how you want to use your materials... I just trim the 703 down
to the ID of a 2'x4' OD box)
slap a 2'x4' piece of ply on the back
make a 703 panel fit inside
take an appropriate cut sheet of the polyfil and wrap it all around the 703
panel leaving no-open-ends!
stuff that into the box.
cover with appropriate pretty burlap front panel
hang on wall/cieling

B)
The I-Have-A Clue-And-Can-Read-And-Understand_Simple-English Answer:
buy copy of Everest's recording studio planing and construction book
digest for 2 weeks at least
go to (A) above with modifications as needed

--
John I-22
(that's 'I' for Initial...)
Recognising what's NOT worth your time, THAT'S the key.
--

[Buster Mudd]

(hollywood_steve) wrote in message >...
>
> The short answer is avoid the foam products (have you ever seen any
> purple foam in one of the top tier studios?) and look for materials
> like rigid fiberglass insulation and variations like mineral fiber
> board, rock wool, etc.

Well, to be fair, you probably haven't ever seen rigid fiberglass
insulation and variations like mineral fiber board, rock wool, etc. in
one of the top tier studios either.

Of course, this has more to do with the fact that top tier studios
like to hide their treatment; peel back the expensive woodwork &
Guilford fabrics & you are indeed more likely to find rigid fiberglass
than foam...but the reason you don't *see* foam treatment in expensive
studios isn't because it's not used, it's because all the treatment is
hidden.

Semantics, I know.

[David Grant]

> Helping a friend build a basement studio.
>
> Are there alternatives to expensive acoustic products, e.g.
> absorption, diffraction, bass traps, etc.? I'm not talking egg
> cartons here, but is the foam available in places like Home Depot a
> passable substitute? If not, can we order our own foam from somewhere
> and create our own panels or reflectors? I'm talking about sound
> quality more then soundproofing.
>
> We still haven't done a real analysis of the acoustics, so I don't
> really know what we need to get a decent sound. We're not looking for
> perfect, and I'd rather play then spend forever fooling around with
> this stuff.
>
> Swyck

My suggestion: skip the foam.

Depends a lot on room dimensions, but chances are you need a good bit of
bass trapping. There are plenty of great DIY alternatives.

Check out http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=26
and http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html for lots of DIY
fibreglass-related solutions.

Dave