Any here build their own isolation box?

[mixohoytian]

I prefer mine in an open room...no box
but just impossible right now

as for the lid off, that might make it better too..
I can't do that with the peacemaker...d'oh

I think it sounds good, but not the same as in an open room
in other words I think you can mess with it and get used to it
but it is a tool for those who can afford a bigger box ie a sound proof room

Can you tell me which of my PeaceMaker clips were recorded in the box and which weren't? Excluding the ones I already said were recorded in it? I can't tell any difference between recording my 4x12 close-mic'd in the box or out in a room...

Steve

no I don't really have an ear for that/ can't tell except with my own stuff
I have not done a true ab test cause I'm lazy, but the feel is different and maybe that's the biggest thing...the interraction of the sound, in the room, with the pick up
something feels missing, but like I said in the box sounds good, the difference may all be in my head, I don't know! I think it might be in my head
What I do know, is that it's so close it doesn't really matter

I did hear, in that other thread, that if you send a 2nd signal to a practice amp in your control room, and set it to distortion, that it will help get back your "in the same room as your cab feedback vibe"
or crank you monitors (can't do that)
gonna try the practice amp thing next time

 

[Rogue]

Can you tell me which of my PeaceMaker clips were recorded in the box and which weren't?

Wing solo, Ed's Fusion Jam1, Wing Solo, and Dance of the Dead(s)? That would be my guess, and it would be a guess. They all sound really good. Better than everything else one your page.

I'm kind of surprised that unit doesn't sound boxy. I've listened to a some homemade ones here and there and have not been very impressed, although who knows if it was the box or the guy recording it. Yours sounds dang good, really. What is it made out of that is absorbing that much sound? It just doesn't look like it would do what it sounds like.

mixohoytian, do you have any clips of yours?

Also, originally I had planned on making just big enough to put my 212 cab in and a mic/stand. I was looking around last night and actually could make it somewhat longer. I could possibly get it 6-8 long, but still about the same height and width of a 212. It seems like it might help with some boxiness, but I don't know for sure if it would or if any benefits would outweigh the additional costs. What you guys thoughts on that?

 

[Anonymous]

Can you tell me which of my PeaceMaker clips were recorded in the box and which weren't?

Wing solo, Ed's Fusion Jam1, Wing Solo, and Dance of the Dead(s)? That would be my guess, and it would be a guess. They all sound really good. Better than everything else one your page.

I'm kind of surprised that unit doesn't sound boxy. I've listened to a some homemade ones here and there and have not been very impressed, although who knows if it was the box or the guy recording it. Yours sounds dang good, really. What is it made out of that is absorbing that much sound? It just doesn't look like it would do what it sounds like.

mixohoytian, do you have any clips of yours?

Also, originally I had planned on making just big enough to put my 212 cab in and a mic/stand. I was looking around last night and actually could make it somewhat longer. I could possibly get it 6-8 long, but still about the same height and width of a 212. It seems like it might help with some boxiness, but I don't know for sure if it would or if any benefits would outweigh the additional costs. What you guys thoughts on that?

Actually, every PeaceMaker clip on that page was done in the iso box, not just the ones you mentioned.

I do have some old clips of VH songs I recorded for Vic at Mojave that were done outside the box in a room. They sound exactly the same tonewise...

My box is just some heavy pressboard with that sound absorbing material on the walls inside. That's it...

On the boxiness - even with my small length box, I don't hear it. Based on how mine works, I can't see that it would be worth the effort to make one so long...

Steve

 

[duffman]

Here is my design, based on the Golden Ratio, 1.681-1. For deadening foam I used 1 1/2 thick memory foam. Yes the stuff they make mattresses out of. Works great. For a speaker installed Eminence Man-o-War 120w @ 16 ohms. Get some really great rockin sounds from my Tourmaster 4100 through this thing. Can run it in 100w mode @ about 3/4 up and you can stand next to the cab and have a conversation in a normal speaking voice..... Keeps the wife off my ass!!

Everything glued and screwed together. All corners re-inforced from inside with metal L-brackets. Silicone caulk around all inside seems. Outside covering in 1/4" cork. Memory foam and cork applied with rubber cemet. Rubber casters to disengage from floor. Can be used as an extra seat in the studio. Cost to build with speaker around $180-$190

Duff

P.S. Memory foam is a bitch to cut. Found doing it on a small band saw with a very fine metal cutting blade worked best.

 

[duffman]

All guitar parts recorded through my home made iso cab using Egnater Tourmaster 4100 head. Only added effects is reverb.

https://soundclick.com/share?songid=9173631

Duff

 

[Rogue]

Actually, every PeaceMaker clip on that page was done in the iso box, not just the ones you mentioned.

Well, I said it was just a guess.

That's very cool man. I just didn't pick up any boxiness. If it is there, it is minimal and insignificant.

My box is just some heavy pressboard with that sound absorbing material on the walls inside. That's it...

On the boxiness - even with my small length box, I don't hear it. Based on how mine works, I can't see that it would be worth the effort to make one so long...

That's really amazing. A few I've found on youtube of some people's DIY iso boxes sound boxy (duffman's sounds good though). They've got several inches of materials and it still sounds kind of boxy. That's why I was surprised that yours sounded that good with much less material to deaden the box. Fairly interesting.

 

[Rogue]

Here is my design, based on the Golden Ratio, 1.681-1. For deadening foam I used 1 1/2 thick memory foam. Yes the stuff they make mattresses out of. Works great. For a speaker installed Eminence Man-o-War 120w @ 16 ohms. Get some really great rockin sounds from my Tourmaster 4100 through this thing. Can run it in 100w mode @ about 3/4 up and you can stand next to the cab and have a conversation in a normal speaking voice..... Keeps the wife off my ass!!

Everything glued and screwed together. All corners re-inforced from inside with metal L-brackets. Silicone caulk around all inside seems. Outside covering in 1/4" cork. Memory foam and cork applied with rubber cemet. Rubber casters to disengage from floor. Can be used as an extra seat in the studio. Cost to build with speaker around $180-$190

Duff

P.S. Memory foam is a bitch to cut. Found doing it on a small band saw with a very fine metal cutting blade worked best.

Thanks. That's a pretty nice DIY job. I didn't pick up on any boxiness from your clip. It seems like it would be noisier outside with one layer of MDF. That's cool...and cheap! I'm thinking of building one I can stash my cabinet in, though.

Is that you singing? I dig the voice.

 

[duffman]

Rogue,

Yes thats me singing, and thanks. I own an industrial lumber/custom pallet/box company, so it was easy for me to go through several designs until I found one that worked/sounded as I wanted.

My first design was just a box I dropped a 2x12 closed back into and then stuffed egg-shell acoustic foam round it and droppd on a lid. I am going to revisit building this cab and apply some things I have learned along the way.

I dont think egg-shell acoustic foam is really right for this application. Rock wool board or even the memory foam would work better. They are both denser and have a lower?, resonate Hz. Covering the outside with cork instead of carpet also helps. Decouple the cab from the floor of the iso booth. I have a couple of vibration isolation pads laying around the shop I will install. Just enough for the 4 corners of the cab to rest on them.

If you do a DIY I look forward to seeing and hearing your design!!!

Duff

 

[mixohoytian]

de coupling is the big studio trick

a box with in a box or floating floor will keep the sound from vibrating to the ground

another good idea:
put the whole thing on wheels
the less it contacts with the ground the less bass you will feel in the house etc...

 

[Rogue]

My first design was just a box I dropped a 2x12 closed back into and then stuffed egg-shell acoustic foam round it and droppd on a lid. I am going to revisit building this cab and apply some things I have learned along the way.

I dont think egg-shell acoustic foam is really right for this application. Rock wool board or even the memory foam would work better. They are both denser and have a lower?, resonate Hz. Covering the outside with cork instead of carpet also helps. Decouple the cab from the floor of the iso booth. I have a couple of vibration isolation pads laying around the shop I will install. Just enough for the 4 corners of the cab to rest on them.

If you do a DIY I look forward to seeing and hearing your design!!!

Duff

So what do you think the problem was with your first design? The foam or some other factors?

Does the cork work better at sound proofing than other materials? I haven't really considered what will be on the outside. I've really only mulled over materials for the inside and frame.

I'll definitely be isolating it from the floor in some way.

 

[duffman]

I think a box within a box design would work best. The inner box I would float. I wouldn't screw it together, or to the outer box just glue it with silicone so it could flex. I would cover the inner with cork, then build another box around that, screw and glue the outter so it is rigid. I would attach the inner to the outer with a glue that stays flexible, again maybe a silicone based. My thinking is that sound pressure inside from a 2x12 is going to be brutal.

Allow the inner box to flex ever so slightly compressing the cork that is in between it and the outer box. This should help to absorb/disperse some of the sound pressure. As for foam and an outer covering. The memory foam gave me great results before, and cork did as well on the outside.

BTW if built out of 3/4 MDF do you realize how heavy this would be? Take 3 men and a boy to pick it up.

 

[Rogue]

Thanks duff.

How thick is the cork supposed to be? A thin sheet?

I'm building it in a space below the stairs. There is ample room to build a decent sized box. Once there, it isn't coming out. If I ever move, I'll keep it there and strip and interior stuff and tell the buyers it's a great storage box!

 

[nbarts]

The cheap way
Go to home depot & get boards for the size of box you need. You gonna need it be at least 12" wider than your cabinet. The denser & thicker wood you choose, the more isolation you get. The downside is, the more isolation you get, the boxier it's gonna sound. Then find 4" 703 or 8pcf rockwool & install on the inside walls. Make sure you cover it with some kind of fabric, you don't wanna breathe that shit. Can be had for around $200 in material costs.


The right way
Take a fairly thin MDF, like 10mm. Build a box, the same size as above. Drill a few holes in it, like 1/2" diameter on side walls.
4" 705 or rockwool of the same spec on the inside walls, holes covered. Cover with some fabric.
4" 705 or rockwool of the same spec on the outside wall, holes covered.
Use material similar to the isobox above & build a box around what you have. Drill a few holes in this one too, just not in the same spots.
For maximum isolation don't drill holes.

The best quality, worst isolation
Get some pine wood boards or similar. Build a frame to house 2 layers of 4" 703 or 705 for better lower end isolation. NOT a box, only one side/bottom should be a solid thin MDF.
Install the insulation, cover with fabric.

 

[Rogue]

Thanks nbarts. I'm going with a box inside a box method, similar to your second suggestion. However, I'm considering using the cork between the two layers. Not sure just yet.

As for the holes you are talking about drilling....is that so the box can have the less restricted air movement? It does seem to me a completely air tight box might sound stuffy, but I don't know that.

 

[nbarts]

It's gonna be stuffy either way.

Yes, for air movement. I don't know how much opening you need exactly. I'm sure there is a formula somewhere to calculate it. Just look around & you'll fine it. But then again, if this is for your apartment or something similar, you probably want it sealed with no holes & if you have a neighbor downstairs, you wanna isolate the box from the floor somehow.

 

[Rogue]

It's my house. I'm just looking to keep from disturbing the family. It'll be sitting on a concrete floor but I'll still use some insulators of some sort.

I'll look around for the air movement thing. I haven't really seen much about it. Seems everyone goes for air tight.