Diffusors, how far do mics need to be?

[RyanC]

I'm reading about diffusers in control rooms and how you cant be too close to them,

How does this relate to a tracking room. For example how far away from a slot diffuser does a miked up drum set need to be?

I'm looking at doing some slot diffusers in a tracking room that is only about 18x23. . . I would like it if I could have a live sound and curtains to pull over them. Any thoughts?

Thanks-

Ryan

[avare]

For a diffuse (even) field, three times the wavelength of the lowest frequency diffused.

Andre

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by RyanC

how far away from a slot diffuser does a miked up drum set need to be?

Andre has the right answer, and the general guide is to be at least a foot away for each inch of diffusor depth. However, I've found that being close is not as bad as some believe. My video All About Diffusion shows what you're asking about, at a distance of six inches. You'll find this video about halfway down the list on the RealTraps Videos page.

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Andre has the right answer, and the general guide is to be at least a foot away for each inch of diffusor depth. However, I've found that being close is not as bad as some believe. My video All About Diffusion shows what you're asking about, at a distance of six inches. You'll find this video about halfway down the list on the RealTraps Videos page.

--Ethan

Well it is better then a flat wall, but really you want to have distance to get the full effect of them.

Glenn

[andrebrito]

I'm all in favor for diffusers in tracking rooms or performing spaces depending on the kind of instrument being played or performed.

I'm now redesigning a room for a big band with brass/percussion instruments and I'm going to place diffusers and absorption in it.

I think grating diffusers are sometimes like tubes, they add an interesting color to sound.

[RyanC]

Cool thanks guys. . .

[roscoenyc]

I've got some behind my drum kit.

Really did a nice thing to the sound on the overheads

[Disjointed]

roscoenyc,

what kind of diffusors are those..

looks great btw!

[roscoenyc]

Thanks. they are from Decware.

DECWARE - Room Acoustic Treatments

[Mixbuster]

Does anyone have an easy idea about how to DIY diffusor?
As far as I could hear from ethans diff. video, the guitar sounded much more natural, bright and open compared to the absorbtion. Guess that results works for drums too.

[Disjointed]

i built some 'skyline' style diffusors using the process described on this page.. and i modified the pattern slightly using the calculator here..

built with 2x2 pine and a plywood back...

warning though, i made mine 2' x 4' and its heavy as hell!!!!!!

gl!

[RyanC]

I think I got it. . . the easiest way to build these

Still working out the details as I'm on the 2nd one now, but it sounds really good.

What I did was to get 2" 60psi EPS from the boys down at the insulation supply place (where on a 1st name basis by now. . . )

This stuff is about 3.5lbs cu/ft so it is dense enough to reflect down to about 500hz or so. I built a 23 well diffuser using a QRD. It has a 4 inch depth and I plan to put 4" more of rockwool behind them. . .almost better than wood cause the bass will go right through the EPS and meet the rockwool.

The first one I built I used standard white stryofoam. It does not work very well. The foam is too light

But with the 60EPS blueboard it actually REALLY works. I used masonite as well spacers. The blueboard and masonite actually look pretty nice together. I'm gonna spray em all with some deck sealer or some other thick lacquer.

I will start a new thread with all the hows for this, it is still a PITA so be prepared for some serious work if your gonna do it. Mine are coming out to about $100 for ones that are about 4x6, and the 2nd is sounding GOOD. I have all the pieces cut to make 6 total (18 pieces of masonite, and 13 60psi bluebards. . .and 2x8s for the frame)

[aclarson]

Originally Posted by RyanC

I will start a new thread with all the hows for this, it is still a PITA so be prepared for some serious work if your gonna do it. Mine are coming out to about $100 for ones that are about 4x6, and the 2nd is sounding GOOD. I have all the pieces cut to make 6 total (18 pieces of masonite, and 13 60psi bluebards. . .and 2x8s for the frame)

SWEET...very eager to see your plans. I've been mulling around about making some of those wood QRD diffusors, but the weight has had me worried about the strength of my walls and ceiling (it's a rental).

I love DIY

[RyanC]

Yeah it works good-

You will need a band saw or a serious foam cutter (I tried to make one, but I didn't want to have to buy a variac). . . some long boomers (the things you see on semi trucks that hold the load down) a gallon of wood glue, and TIME.

The 1st one is OK ish, better than a bare wall and some paint should increase it's effectiveness, and the 2nd sounds pretty good now, so with some lacquer its gonna kick ass.

Mine are about 80lbs or so. . . much lighter for 24 square feet then if the whole thing was hardboard, and because you can just cut to foam to depth its a hell of alot easier than having to join all the hardboard together in the right places.

I'm also thinking about some that are only 2" deep with 1/2 for the cieling. . . I'm going to take the drywall off the cieling, put difusers up, and the fill the attack 2 ft of cellulose. . .