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Eat.A.Tron · 2nd August 2007

Okay, not technically a gear question here: I just moved into a new house in which my band can practice in the basement. The basement's about 30 ft. x 20 ft., with concrete walls and floor, and ceiling rafters covered with a cheap particle board. The first band practices were like playing in a cave. Since then, I've done a lot of work to deaden things as much as possible. The drums are in one corner, and I've put up folded blankets, styrofoam pads, etc. on those walls to kill off those reflections. MUCH improved. Putting a drum rug under the drums helped a lot, too, to deaden the downward reflections (esp. from the snare and floor tom) In addition, I've begun collecting bulk egg cartons (about 1 ft. x 1 ft. in size) from my work and screwing them into the ceiling. I think this is helping, but it's hard to tell. My logic is that it's useful as a diffuser, but any difference isn't as obvious as with the absorption.

So, tell me: Am I wasting my time with the egg cartons? Should I use a different strategy? My goal isn't necessarily to make it a great-sounding room, but more to make the sound clearer for band songwriting and rehearsal, as well as making things a little more bearable for my non-band roommates who are home during practice.

Thoughts?

2nd August 2007	#1
Eat.A.Tron Gear interested Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	Cheap Acoustic Treatment/Sound Energy Okay, not technically a gear question here: I just moved into a new house in which my band can practice in the basement. The basement's about 30 ft. x 20 ft., with concrete walls and floor, and ceiling rafters covered with a cheap particle board. The first band practices were like playing in a cave. Since then, I've done a lot of work to deaden things as much as possible. The drums are in one corner, and I've put up folded blankets, styrofoam pads, etc. on those walls to kill off those reflections. MUCH improved. Putting a drum rug under the drums helped a lot, too, to deaden the downward reflections (esp. from the snare and floor tom) In addition, I've begun collecting bulk egg cartons (about 1 ft. x 1 ft. in size) from my work and screwing them into the ceiling. I think this is helping, but it's hard to tell. My logic is that it's useful as a diffuser, but any difference isn't as obvious as with the absorption. So, tell me: Am I wasting my time with the egg cartons? Should I use a different strategy? My goal isn't necessarily to make it a great-sounding room, but more to make the sound clearer for band songwriting and rehearsal, as well as making things a little more bearable for my non-band roommates who are home during practice. Thoughts?