Bass trap question

munmun · 15th May 2009

My project studio is tiny. I measure 8.5ftx6.5ft. The ceiling is only 6.5ft high. I have issues with the low end on my projects. I have been reading about bass traps and have a few questions:
- do foam products such as Auralex work? I am reading mixed opinions on line.
- I have looked at designs such as the flat panels. However they look quite large and in a space as small as mine, there would be no walking space with all the panels jutting out at a 45 degree orientation. My question on this one is are there tiny panels available or does that defeat the purpose?

Weasel9992 · 15th May 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by munmun

My project studio is tiny. I measure 8.5ftx6.5ft. The ceiling is only 6.5ft high. I have issues with the low end on my projects.

Oh boy...yeah, that's going to be a problem. That is a teeny, tiny room man. I hate to be a downer, but I don't think it's large enough to be a useful space. Add to that the fact that you're doubling your two smallest dimensions, and you've got a recipe for disaster acoustically. I'd abandon the idea of using that space and do what you need to to find another.

Quote:

Originally Posted by munmun

- do foam products such as Auralex work? I am reading mixed opinions on line.

For high frequencies, yes. For low frequencies, absolutely not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by munmun

- I have looked at designs such as the flat panels. However they look quite large and in a space as small as mine, there would be no walking space with all the panels jutting out at a 45 degree orientation. My question on this one is are there tiny panels available or does that defeat the purpose?

...and that's the issue. At a certain point a space is so small that by the time you're done treating it enough to be useful, it's not useful anymore because there's no room to move.

Frank

SaSi_SiDi · 16th May 2009

I agree with Frank's take on the dimensions. This is practically a large closet, perhaps a walk in closet. We have one in our new house and it measures 6x9 and has a bonus - an angled ceiling starting at 7ft and reaching 11ft at the highest end. Before putting the shelves and drawers, it sounded absolutely horrific. Now, with all this MDF panels around and a 2x6 space available on the floor, it really sounds a lot better. But there is hardly space to put a chair or walk around.

I have no experience in this but from theory, if the walls are all made available, then perhaps tuned slat absorbers on almost every wall and the ceiling, each tuned to the various modal frequencies would help fight the room modes. You would also need to cover the area between the slats with thick porous absorber, like stripes of 4" mineral wool dressed in cloth to also absorb the higher frequencies and fight flutter echo as well as reducing the decay time. You would lose around 10" of space at least around the room and the ceiling. And at 6.5ft high, that by itself would be an issue.

I can't say if it's going to work but you would need serious DIY skills to make these custom slat absorbers and space and time to build and experiment.

15th May 2009	#1
munmun Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 80 Thread Starter	Bass trap question My project studio is tiny. I measure 8.5ftx6.5ft. The ceiling is only 6.5ft high. I have issues with the low end on my projects. I have been reading about bass traps and have a few questions: - do foam products such as Auralex work? I am reading mixed opinions on line. - I have looked at designs such as the flat panels. However they look quite large and in a space as small as mine, there would be no walking space with all the panels jutting out at a 45 degree orientation. My question on this one is are there tiny panels available or does that defeat the purpose?

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16th May 2009	#3
SaSi_SiDi Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 172	I agree with Frank's take on the dimensions. This is practically a large closet, perhaps a walk in closet. We have one in our new house and it measures 6x9 and has a bonus - an angled ceiling starting at 7ft and reaching 11ft at the highest end. Before putting the shelves and drawers, it sounded absolutely horrific. Now, with all this MDF panels around and a 2x6 space available on the floor, it really sounds a lot better. But there is hardly space to put a chair or walk around. I have no experience in this but from theory, if the walls are all made available, then perhaps tuned slat absorbers on almost every wall and the ceiling, each tuned to the various modal frequencies would help fight the room modes. You would also need to cover the area between the slats with thick porous absorber, like stripes of 4" mineral wool dressed in cloth to also absorb the higher frequencies and fight flutter echo as well as reducing the decay time. You would lose around 10" of space at least around the room and the ceiling. And at 6.5ft high, that by itself would be an issue. I can't say if it's going to work but you would need serious DIY skills to make these custom slat absorbers and space and time to build and experiment.