Questions on most effective method of sound absorption

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Zachalou

Zachalou

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So I finally have somewhere to have band practice, the room is 12x12 feet, drywall walls and ceiling, hardwood floor with only two small basement style windows.
I'm not exactly looking for soundproofing, volume isn't an issue but I am trying to make it the most acoustically effective space where I won't have to worry about fighting the bandmates over volume.

I'd really like some opinions and suggestions as to what the best method would be and perhaps the best material to use based on experience, the more cost effective the better.

The floor I'm not worried about as I'll probably just get a rug that really ties the room together :thumbsup:

As for everything else, I see a lot of people using 2 inch thick foam squares in varying methods, but I also see people saying those are not really effective at all and suggest getting acoustic panels, acoustic blankets, fiberglass (I'd rather not)

Also, would it be better to cover the walls and ceiling completely? Or is it really dependent on the amp/drum placements?

thanks!
 
I've been using Auralex panels and they've really helped. For a space that size, you shouldn't need too many. Maybe something like 1 or 2 Roominator D36 kits (about $200 a piece, but wait for a sale). There are other options/brands (like Primacoustic, etc.), but no need, IMHO, to spend a lot of money. IME, using acoustic foam works a lot better than most improvised solutions, so I think it's worth a little investment.

For the floor, I'd think a rug covering about 66%-75% of the floor (or more) should be good.

I would NOT recommend covering the walls and ceiling completely. The space would end up sounding really dead and unnatural. Instead, what I think is more important to control are flutter echoes (caused by reflective parallel surfaces) and bass build-up that occurs in corners.

There are some good books available on acoustic treatment and a lot of free info from the various companies that make/sell it. Obviously, they're trying to sell products, but there is still some good information available.
 
I’ve gone through so many acoustic treatment methods, after many years of screwing around, I finally just built some myself. It was amazingly simple and way cheaper. Plenty of YouTube videos on how-to.

I bought several boxes of 2 inch ATS Rigid Fiberglass board from here:
https://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--Fiberglass-and-Mineral-Wool-Batts-and-Boards--106.html

I bought some 1x4 boards (8 feet in length) and some burlap from a fabric store.
I made a rectangle 2foot x 4foot x 4inch box and stacked 2 panels in each. Wrapped in burlap.

It was NIGHT and DAY difference from having the room treated with foam. Even my wife couldn’t understand why it sounded so much better. It was amazing, the difference.

Here is a pic the studio now and one pic of the “before”
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=196460&start=100#p2185176

Ping me if you’d like more info. I would really recommend building your own for cheaper than you can buy Auralex foam, unless you get a really cheap kit that won’t help.
 
I'll agree with that, too. If you're not opposed to building, traps made like that, with fabric covered fiberglass in a rigid frame, are going to be much more effective. If I'm understanding things correctly, it's because the sound has to pass through several layers of varying density, which both slows the pressure wave and absorbs its energy. Foam just doesn't do that as well, at least not the inexpensive stuff, mostly because the difference in the size of the air pockets just aren't big enough (as compared to the length of any given sound wave) as to make as big a difference.
 
Foam mattress sheets - cheaper than absolutely anything else per sq/ft. They're available everywhere and can be cut and painted to your liking. You can also make your own corner baffles using "sono-tubes", a concrete form made from hard cardboard that you can glue or staple carpet to and put in the corners of the room. A parachute on the ceiling is quick and easy.
 
Owens Corning 703 Rigid fibreglass or equivalent, made into 2'x4' x 4" thick panels as explained by stratjacket above is the ONLY way to go. If you can space the finished product off the wall an inch or 2, even better.

Also, if you make 2 panels that are 6 ft tall and put them across the 2 corners behind the drummer, it will really help even the bass out. ( I think you can see this concept in the pics stratjacket posted of his studio )

Don't waste your time with foam. It doesn't have the density to work at anything below upper mid and treble frequencies unless it's massively thick ( like feet thick ).
4 inch thick 703, spaced 1 inch off the wall absorbs evenly and effectively at all frequencies from 20k down to under 100hz.

I would also hang some kind of cloud over the drummer, but this could just be a packing blanket or a larger but thinner 1" or 2" thick cloud of 703 to kill the cymbals so they don't kill you and your hearing.

Add one or 2 area rugs to suit and you're good to go.

Edit: just looked at stratjacket's pics again, and I'd be willing to bet that that room sounds damn fine, and can produce a good mix that translates. Nice job!!
 
stratjacket":2qikr94k said:
I’ve gone through so many acoustic treatment methods, after many years of screwing around, I finally just built some myself. It was amazingly simple and way cheaper. Plenty of YouTube videos on how-to.

I bought several boxes of 2 inch ATS Rigid Fiberglass board from here:
https://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--Fiberglass-and-Mineral-Wool-Batts-and-Boards--106.html

I bought some 1x4 boards (8 feet in length) and some burlap from a fabric store.
I made a rectangle 2foot x 4foot x 4inch box and stacked 2 panels in each. Wrapped in burlap.

It was NIGHT and DAY difference from having the room treated with foam. Even my wife couldn’t understand why it sounded so much better. It was amazing, the difference.

Here is a pic the studio now and one pic of the “before”
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=196460&start=100#p2185176

Ping me if you’d like more info. I would really recommend building your own for cheaper than you can buy Auralex foam, unless you get a really cheap kit that won’t help.
Click to expand...



That looks great and that is definitely the cheapest and most effective option it looks like at this point, I don't mind putting in the work to make them myself so this is definitely looking like the way to go for me at the moment.

Thank you all for all your suggestions! :thumbsup:
 
Put an ad out on craigslist, or keep an eye out for moving rugs from UHaul. They are really thick and good at absorbing sound. We hung them in our old practice space and they worked wonders.
 
fusedbrain":qe6w8vfa said:
Edit: just looked at stratjacket's pics again, and I'd be willing to bet that that room sounds damn fine, and can produce a good mix that translates. Nice job!!
Click to expand...

Thank you sir. I've since added an area rug and a few things. The listening position is just perfect right now. I used a 1" x 2" small board across the back top and bottom of each panel so they sit about an inch off the wall.
 
To the OP, one more thing that helped me that I would recommend is to get an analyzer to measure the room to see what the resonant frequencies are. Sounds complicated, but it's surprisingly simple and FREE.

I used Dynaudio's Meter. You can see the instructions here:
https://www.dynaudio.com/support/pink-noise
It describes testing a speakers response, but it tests the room just the same. There are more accurate ways and more detailed ways, but it's hard to beat free and this gets close enough.

Download the "Dynaudio Meter" from Apple or Android.
I searched Youtube for "Pink Noise" and played that while using the "RTA" meter from the Dynaudio app.
Move the phone around the room and you can see what frequencies are being spiked and what's missing in the room.
If anything, in the practice room, it'll help you know where to stand to hear from the best position and not get hammered with a ride cymbal for example...
 
stratjacket":ltpsd9lp said:
To the OP, one more thing that helped me that I would recommend is to get an analyzer to measure the room to see what the resonant frequencies are. Sounds complicated, but it's surprisingly simple and FREE.

I used Dynaudio's Meter. You can see the instructions here:
https://www.dynaudio.com/support/pink-noise
It describes testing a speakers response, but it tests the room just the same. There are more accurate ways and more detailed ways, but it's hard to beat free and this gets close enough.

Download the "Dynaudio Meter" from Apple or Android.
I searched Youtube for "Pink Noise" and played that while using the "RTA" meter from the Dynaudio app.
Move the phone around the room and you can see what frequencies are being spiked and what's missing in the room.
If anything, in the practice room, it'll help you know where to stand to hear from the best position and not get hammered with a ride cymbal for example...
Click to expand...


Also super helpful, thanks!
I can say for sure that the frequencies getting spiked are the upper mids and treble, and the bass is just getting lost in here at the moment. But I will know for sure when I try that out
 
stratjacket":wvderw4v said:
I’ve gone through so many acoustic treatment methods, after many years of screwing around, I finally just built some myself. It was amazingly simple and way cheaper. Plenty of YouTube videos on how-to.

I bought several boxes of 2 inch ATS Rigid Fiberglass board from here:
https://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--Fiberglass-and-Mineral-Wool-Batts-and-Boards--106.html

I bought some 1x4 boards (8 feet in length) and some burlap from a fabric store.
I made a rectangle 2foot x 4foot x 4inch box and stacked 2 panels in each. Wrapped in burlap.

It was NIGHT and DAY difference from having the room treated with foam. Even my wife couldn’t understand why it sounded so much better. It was amazing, the difference.

Here is a pic the studio now and one pic of the “before”
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=196460&start=100#p2185176

Ping me if you’d like more info. I would really recommend building your own for cheaper than you can buy Auralex foam, unless you get a really cheap kit that won’t help.
Click to expand...

I made my own also. Here is the link to the thread

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=115927&hilit=owens
 
sutepaj":3157o8tu said:
Put an ad out on craigslist, or keep an eye out for moving rugs from UHaul. They are really thick and good at absorbing sound. We hung them in our old practice space and they worked wonders.
Click to expand...



i bought some moving rugs off ebay, i think they were $30 for four. they are about 6x6ft. best $30 bucks i ever spent for my studio
 
sutepaj":37uhxqck said:
Put an ad out on craigslist, or keep an eye out for moving rugs from UHaul. They are really thick and good at absorbing sound. We hung them in our old practice space and they worked wonders.
Click to expand...



i bought some moving rugs off ebay, i think they were $30 for four. they are about 6x6ft. best $30 bucks i ever spent for my studio
 
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