Hanging panels question

[barbaroja]

I got a small studio 3,40 x 3,00 m. Angled ceiling. I got 2" fiberglass panels in the sides and back of the listening position. Also, two large 3m - 4"thick fiberglass bass traps in front corners. I am thinking in adding fiberglass hanging panels. Many reasons make for this decision. I need a better bass trapping since I still hear notes louder than others. Also I need to improve the lights in my studio. So the panels would carry the lights. For functionality I would love them to do fine bass trapping. Taking this point into account, I am thinking into three panels arranged in a stair manner, having 2,5 foot of air gap between themselves and the ceiling, since its angled. So here come the questions:

1. What would be the ideal thickness for the panels?
2. I am planning to use 3 panels. Would be better to use one full panel?
3. Is the fact that they are not touching the walls important regarding LFs?
4. Am I likely to expect a good performance in controlling bass frequencies by adding these hanging panels?

Thanks

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by barbaroja

1. What would be the ideal thickness for the panels?
2. I am planning to use 3 panels. Would be better to use one full panel?
3. Is the fact that they are not touching the walls important regarding LFs?
4. Am I likely to expect a good performance in controlling bass frequencies by adding these hanging panels?

Thanks

1.) 4" or 6".
2.) Three would be fine. Probably a lot easier to install that way too.
3.) Well, space is fine...2.5' is a little much, but better that than following the angle of the ceiling if these panels are going to be above the mix position.
4.) At least the height-related stuff, sure. You might want to look at adding more at the corners (ALL of them, including wall/ceiling & wall/floor corners), more on the back wall and changing your front wall panel out for a 4" or 6" bass trap.

Frank

[barbaroja]

Thanks, Frank. Would be best to hang the panels touching each other?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by barbaroja

Thanks, Frank. Would be best to hang the panels touching each other?

It depends on how they're built. If leaving some space exposes more surface area of treatment, then give them a little space. If not, then you can just butt them together.

Frank

[barbaroja]

Thanks Frank. Ill Make em as best as I possibly can. You say 2,5´is a lot. Is there a recommended air gap space that would give me killer control in the low low bass zone?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by barbaroja

Thanks Frank. Ill Make em as best as I possibly can. You say 2,5´is a lot. Is there a recommended air gap space that would give me killer control in the low low bass zone?

Well, 2.5' is a lot if you're working with a flat surface, but since you're working with an angled ceiling there may not be any way to avoid it. If it were a flat surface the general rule of thumb is that you can have as much space as you have inches of treatment, so 4" of space or 4" of treatment and so on.

Frank

[HiRaX]

Hey I just got my Gik room kit! When hanging the 244's in the corners, do you guys bother mounting hooks and wiring the bottom 2 holes on the panels?

Thanks

-Chris

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by HiRaX

Hey I just got my Gik room kit! When hanging the 244's in the corners, do you guys bother mounting hooks and wiring the bottom 2 holes on the panels?

Thanks

-Chris

Not usually. If you follow the video instructions on the home page at our website you shouldn't need to.

Frank

[barbaroja]

Originally Posted by Weasel9992

Well, 2.5' is a lot if you're working with a flat surface, but since you're working with an angled ceiling there may not be any way to avoid it. If it were a flat surface the general rule of thumb is that you can have as much space as you have inches of treatment, so 4" of space or 4" of treatment and so on.

Frank

Thanks Frank. SO, Am I wrong into thinking that the more air gap between the panels and the surface near them is better for controlling bass frequencies?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by barbaroja

Thanks Frank. SO, Am I wrong into thinking that the more air gap between the panels and the surface near them is better for controlling bass frequencies?

Up to a point. After a certain point it becomes counter productive, which is why I'm recommending as much space as you have inches of treatment.

Frank

[HiRaX]

I don't really have the time or the mic to run testing software to analyze my room before treating it. Is this a gigantic no no? My room is fairly small about 13 ' by 13' and I'm going to place 2 242's on each sidewall (first reflection points) What would you guys suggest for spacing between the 2 panels? How critical is the spacing? Obviously I am going to cover as much of the open walls as possible. (3 244's in corners,1 244 no the door (my 4th corner has a door in it =\ ) 4 242s on sidewalls, 2 242s on the ceiling and one Monster trap behind my head.

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by HiRaX

I don't really have the time or the mic to run testing software to analyze my room before treating it. Is this a gigantic no no? My room is fairly small about 13 ' by 13' and I'm going to place 2 242's on each sidewall (first reflection points) What would you guys suggest for spacing between the 2 panels?

You're really looking to hit your first and second reflection points here. So the first panel on the left wall, for example should be positioned to absorb the energy from the left speaker. The *second* panel on the left wall should be positioned to absorb the energy from the *right* speaker. The reverse is true for the right wall. Exactly where that is depends entirely on exactly where your monitors are with respect to the walls. Do a search on "mirror trick" and "reflection points"...that'll give you a way to nail it down.

Originally Posted by HiRaX

How critical is the spacing? Obviously I am going to cover as much of the open walls as possible. (3 244's in corners,1 244 no the door (my 4th corner has a door in it =\ ) 4 242s on sidewalls, 2 242s on the ceiling and one Monster trap behind my head.

That's almost exactly what I've got going on in my control room. It looks like the only real spacing issue is going to be with the 242's, and explained how to place them above. The 244's will be in the corners (as you said), and the Monster should be positioned in the center of the back wall, or as close to it as possible.

Frank

[HiRaX]

Thank you Frank. One last question, How far apart am I mounting hooks for these wall panels that are NOT straddling corners?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by HiRaX

Thank you Frank. One last question, How far apart am I mounting hooks for these wall panels that are NOT straddling corners?

You mean at your reflection points? You have to figure them out first, then you'll have a hook at the center of each panel. Or am I misunderstanding your question?

Frank

[HiRaX]

No I think you go it. Thanks. I guess these get hung more like pictures rather than the 2 hook per panel method for the corner traps

[barbaroja]

Originally Posted by Weasel9992

Up to a point. After a certain point it becomes counter productive, which is why I'm recommending as much space as you have inches of treatment.

Frank

Thanks, Frank. Any chances of getting resonances frome the reflections in the air space over the panels? Do you know of any complementary reading for the quoted text above?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by barbaroja

Thanks, Frank. Any chances of getting resonances frome the reflections in the air space over the panels? Do you know of any complementary reading for the quoted text above?

There won't be any big issues that I can think of. The best reading for the average person is Everest's "Master Handbook of Acoustics". He explains things well, and it's just a good reference text to have around anyhow.

Frank