how to make basstraps? <- lets all chime in!

Silence · Post by **Silence** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:05 pm

As a reaction on Furlands theme (and cuz im in "Make Basstrap"-mode now) i thought we could all gather some knowledge!
I know Gearslutz has an extreme amount of info but i thought it could be beneficial to have a similar thread there where ppl share info
and experiences.

I think that this is an important subject because i think it sucks that ppl go out and buy gear for like €7000 and forget about simple things like
broadband-absorbers and/or Bass-traps - Diffusers etc...
And i think they´re simple enough to make, its the design part that takes time and understanding so lets all share (will share as soon as i have something to share)

so...lets see where this leads...

Guff Tong · Post by **Guff Tong** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:32 pm

ok...doing the same this summer.

Building the basic 100mm rockwool absorbers first. going for 600x900x100 mm panels as I can get the best yield from the pack...Covering with cheap burlap..

1) I notice that some designs of acoustic panels have holes cut in the side. Can anyone suggest if this is essential or just to keep the weight down?

2) One half of my studio space is octagonal so I only need to work on two corners for bass trapping. so like, if your space was a full octagon would you need any bass traps at all? Just curious...

3) Guitars: If you've got guitars on wall hangers in between the acoustic panels would it affect the acoustics?

4) I've seen many projects where they use the same grade of rockwool to make all traps/panels. Others use various density's for mid range etc... Any opinions on this?

5) The space I've got has a 13 foot high gabled ceiling. Do I need to bass trap the sharp end or could I get way with suspended panels over the listening position?

Getting my rockwool here, cheap as chips:

http://www.greenglueshop.co.uk/products ... abs-100mm/

OT: Just took delivery of a pair of KRK RP6's this morning before I left for work....Fuck me the days dragging by slowly!!!... roll on 5 o'clock.....

IP · Post by IP » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:51 pm

here is a very small photo diary of my traps and flutter echo killers (warning, bad English inside)

http://jopsarados.blogspot.com/2010/05/ ... traps.html

http://jopsarados.blogspot.com/2010/05/ ... anels.html

very simple and cheap constructions!

esky · Post by **esky** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:58 pm

Just visit this place here http://www.gearslutz.com/board/bass-tra ... -foam-etc/ and you have everything you can learn and more about DIY room treatment. The holes on the sides are simply to increase the surface of absorbing materials. Of course you loose weight, which is often a factor when hanging stuff on the walls.

crofter · Post by **crofter** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:06 pm

I usually get a couple of fat blokes to sit in the corners, put a fur coat on them and it helps with high frequencies too, they are more than happy to sit there all day for a pile of bacon sarnies, they improve with age as well on that diet.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:27 pm

Quite a bit of info here:

Better Bass Traps
http://www.ethanwiner.com/basstrap.html

DIY Bass Traps
http://www.radford.edu/%7eshelm/acousti ... traps.html

DIY Bass Traps, video tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyYUpkpL0gw

Acoustic Treatment
http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

Acoustics Primer
http://www.gikacoustics.com/faq.htm

Absorption Coefficients
http://www.saecollege.de/reference_mate ... 0Chart.htm

Exposing Acoustical Myths
http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/expo ... ical-myths

Area Effect for Spaced Sound Absorbers
http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/area ... -absorbers

SPL/Weighting/Noise Levels
http://midimagic.sgc-hosting.com/spldose.htm

Ethan Winer: Acoustics Forum
http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/cfrm

Master Handbook of Acoustics, af F. Alton Everest
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Handbook-A ... 021&sr=8-1

Speaker Placement
Placing Loudspeakers
http://www.genelec.com/learning-center/ ... dspeakers/

Monitor Placement
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar02/a ... nitors.asp

Subwoofer Setup
http://www.sonicdesign.se/subplace.html

Floorplanner
http://www.floorplanner.com/

Google SketchUp
http://sketchup.google.com/

Online Audio Calculations
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/Calculations03.htm

Panels etc.
GIK Acoustics
http://www.gikacoustics.com/

Primacoustic
http://www.primacoustic.com/

RealTraps
http://www.realtraps.com/

Valhalla Technology
http://www.valhalla-technology.dk/

Compiled by Lagerfeldt: http://www.popmusic.dk/index-us.html

Silence · Post by **Silence** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:49 pm

Guff Tong wrote:ok...doing the same this summer.

Building the basic 100mm rockwool absorbers first. going for 600x900x100 mm panels as I can get the best yield from the pack...Covering with cheap burlap..

1) I notice that some designs of acoustic panels have holes cut in the side. Can anyone suggest if this is essential or just to keep the weight down?

2) One half of my studio space is octagonal so I only need to work on two corners for bass trapping. so like, if your space was a full octagon would you need any bass traps at all? Just curious...

3) Guitars: If you've got guitars on wall hangers in between the acoustic panels would it affect the acoustics?

4) I've seen many projects where they use the same grade of rockwool to make all traps/panels. Others use various density's for mid range etc... Any opinions on this?

5) The space I've got has a 13 foot high gabled ceiling. Do I need to bass trap the sharp end or could I get way with suspended panels over the listening position?

Getting my rockwool here, cheap as chips:

http://www.greenglueshop.co.uk/products ... abs-100mm/

OT: Just took delivery of a pair of KRK RP6's this morning before I left for work....Fuck me the days dragging by slowly!!!... roll on 5 o'clock.....

I´ll try to answer some of these (working now so i hope others will chime in)

1. It can help increase the effectiveness with (as i´ve read) up to 50%... because of the exposed surfaces so i seriously suggest u do it if u have the time and possibility, if u don´t then just leave the front and the back exposed (covered with burlap/other fabric)

2. Why would u only need to work on the front?...i suggest u work all the corners if need be but as i´ve understod, the front corners are of more importance than the back (not really a total truth but if thats all u can do for now, its better then not)

3. if they´re acoustic they will resonate

4. as ive understood, superchunks can be of lower density whereas broadband absorbers seem to work better if the rockwool is around 60-70kg/m3

5. I dont know enough to give u a definitive answer but i´ve been in many studios using broadband absorbers hanging over the listening position in order to solve the problem with early reflections... how high is the ceiling over your listening position?

btw...Tarekith links...damn...thats gonna kill the thread...no need for it

...

well i hope that ppl will add their DIYs and/or purchased solutions... (i will as soon as i build them...or will i buy some...hmmm)

ze2be · Post by **ze2be** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:50 pm

Excellent! Im actually heading up to the shop right now to do some research.

Since my studio is in the living room, I want the traps to look good. Perhaps even double as shelves for books, etc.

Could book shelves be used? If they are filled half way up with rock wool, there's still some space left on the shelves.

And what about bamboo or cork for diffusers? Its light, and im probably moving within this year. It looks good too.

Guff Tong · Post by **Guff Tong** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:59 pm

2. Why would u only need to work on the front?...i suggest u work all the corners if need be but as i´ve understod, the front corners are of more importance than the back (not really a total truth but if thats all u can do for now, its better then not)

When is a corner not a corner?

5. I dont know enough to give u a definitive answer but i´ve been in many studios using broadband absorbers hanging over the listening position in order to solve the problem with early reflections... how high is the ceiling over your listening position?

13 feet high & gabled...

what i'd give for a nice square room....

Bizon · Post by **Bizon** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:30 pm

Here is an interesting question.

I have 3 paintings that I was thinking of filling in with sound absorbing foam or whatever else would work. I would like to know if this would work.

The paintings are about 1.5 inches thick with the back having about 1 inch of room to put whatever material needed. The painting itself is on thin plywood (not sure if it is plywood but its 1/8th of an inch thick).

Is this a good idea? If it would work, I could have awesome looking basstraps!

My main concern is that since the painting is on plywood of sorts, the sound waves would bounce off and therefore, not be absorbed.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:39 pm

The plywood is going to act more like a reflective surface instead of an absorber like you'd want. It might make some difference, but not a ton.

Silence · Post by **Silence** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:05 pm

Guff Tong wrote:

When is a corner not a corner?

5. I dont know enough to give u a definitive answer but i´ve been in many studios using broadband absorbers hanging over the listening position in order to solve the problem with early reflections... how high is the ceiling over your listening position?
13 feet high & gabled...

what i'd give for a nice square room....

ahhh....ok now i get it.... i hope ppl here chime in, like perhaps Tarekith (he seems to know a whole lot)

I would hang broadband absorbers on the ceiling (if i understood the shape of the ceiling). not only do u have the a risk for "first reflections" but it also acts as a corner and would amplify bass.

And the corners are "corners" and would benefit from treatment but with broadband absorbers rather than superchunks (still recommend superchunks for the corners in the front)

but i would suggest asking this specific question on the Gearslutz board. They know more than I do and they´re really helpful bunch

Silence · Post by **Silence** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:07 pm

Bizon wrote:Here is an interesting question.

I have 3 paintings that I was thinking of filling in with sound absorbing foam or whatever else would work. I would like to know if this would work.

The paintings are about 1.5 inches thick with the back having about 1 inch of room to put whatever material needed. The painting itself is on thin plywood (not sure if it is plywood but its 1/8th of an inch thick).

Is this a good idea? If it would work, I could have awesome looking basstraps!

My main concern is that since the painting is on plywood of sorts, the sound waves would bounce off and therefore, not be absorbed.

Why not make a absorber look like a painting or just make one that would suit your aesthetic needs? *suggestion*

ze2be · Post by **ze2be** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:53 pm

Silence wrote:Why not make a absorber look like a painting or just make one that would suit your aesthetic needs? *suggestion*

Thats exactly what im thinking. What about bamboo wood material? Hawaii style.

muthafunka · Post by **muthafunka** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:51 am

Guff Tong wrote: what i'd give for a nice square room....

Not what you want at all.

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