My First Traps (pictures)

dragonxking · 26th October 2009

After putting it off for too long, I finally managed to build my first bass traps. I built six 4" traps, and three 2" traps for reflections.
I followed this youtube tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=*********** (search bass trap on youtube. uploader is killermagnet)

Supplies:
Roxul RHM60A - sold in packs of 5 at $33 per pack - 3 packs = $100
These were somewhat of a gamble because I've never heard of RHM60A before and couldn't find any acoustic data, but it is mineral wool (with a 6lb density), and it was cheap and easily obtainable.

Burlap - Black potato sack fabric at 2.99 per yard (Joann's Fabric store) - Probably not the cheapest, or the best looking, but it cost me a total of about $50

Wood - Cheap wood that I bought and had cut at home depot for free. Also bought some Elmer's Wood Glue. Cost - approx $15

Supplies I already owned - Staple gun, Drill, & Screws, measuring tape, scissors

Here's what I did:

1) I applied a little glue to the wood, before drilling them together to make the frames

2) I then cut the fabric (61" for 4" traps, and 57" for 2" traps), laid it down, put the insulation on top, and then the wood frame on top of that

3) I then folded the fabric over the wood, and stapled it on to the wood. Done.

This picture is of my first trap, so it's not as perfectly shaped as the ones that followed. I did not add any additional fabric to the back, so it's bare (maybe not such a good idea, but I'm lazy). I also have not hung them on the walls, so they are leaning against the walls, and corners. I do notice a considerable amount of improvement in my room in regards to acoustics. The Bass/Low freqs are not so overwhelming in the back of the room, and the mids are more present in the listening spot. Sorry I can't provide any acoustic data to compare it with OC703, or the other more popular insulations.

Tips - Get someone to help. I had someone help me hold the frames while I drilled them together, and also pull on the fabric to make sure it was tight while I was stapling it to the frame. Also, don't cheap out on the staple gun.

PaulP · 26th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonxking

After putting it off for too long, I finally managed to build my first bass traps. I built six 4" traps, and three 2" traps for reflections.

Great post. Clearly shows that making absorbers is something that can be
accomplished easily and for little cost.

And as you say you don't even have to hang them up to get results

Paul P

dragonxking · 27th October 2009

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but due to the fact that there aren't any acoustic data on the RHM60A, it makes me wonder how it performs against the more popular choices like 703/Roxul 60, or whether or not my traps are truly effective, or if i'm just fooling myself into hearing the difference. i don't know...

regardless of whether or not it's as effective as the other choices, i do know it's better than no treatment at all, so I plan on building 6 more traps

Glenn Kuras · 27th October 2009

I think your ok with it, by the pictures I see.

Millo 3.1 · 28th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonxking

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but due to the fact that there aren't any acoustic data on the RHM60A, it makes me wonder how it performs against the more popular choices like 703/Roxul 60, or whether or not my traps are truly effective, or if i'm just fooling myself into hearing the difference. i don't know...

regardless of whether or not it's as effective as the other choices, i do know it's better than no treatment at all, so I plan on building 6 more traps

Cool, have you done any testing/analyzing of the room before? This could be a way quantifying the difference, and guesstimating the efficacy of that Roxul material?

Millo 3.1 · 28th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonxking

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but due to the fact that there aren't any acoustic data on the RHM60A, it makes me wonder how it performs against the more popular choices like 703/Roxul 60, or whether or not my traps are truly effective, or if i'm just fooling myself into hearing the difference. i don't know...

regardless of whether or not it's as effective as the other choices, i do know it's better than no treatment at all, so I plan on building 6 more traps

was wondering the same thing.... looked up the Roxul website couldn't find any acoustic info for these panels...maybe I don't know what to look for?

So, given the material it is made of and its density, could we assume it can perform similarly (not "exactly") to the typical OC stuff?

dragonxking · 29th October 2009

i hope so. i think i'll be building my next traps with Roxul 60, and compare the difference. I won't be building more traps for another month or 2 though

dysenterygary · 29th October 2009

that looks pretty good so far, and if it sounds better, then great job!

26th October 2009	#1
dragonxking Gear nut Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 114 Thread Starter	My First Traps (pictures) After putting it off for too long, I finally managed to build my first bass traps. I built six 4" traps, and three 2" traps for reflections. I followed this youtube tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=********* (search bass trap on youtube. uploader is killermagnet) Supplies: Roxul RHM60A - sold in packs of 5 at $33 per pack - 3 packs = $100 These were somewhat of a gamble because I've never heard of RHM60A before and couldn't find any acoustic data, but it is mineral wool (with a 6lb density), and it was cheap and easily obtainable. Burlap - Black potato sack fabric at 2.99 per yard (Joann's Fabric store) - Probably not the cheapest, or the best looking, but it cost me a total of about $50 Wood - Cheap wood that I bought and had cut at home depot for free. Also bought some Elmer's Wood Glue. Cost - approx $15 Supplies I already owned - Staple gun, Drill, & Screws, measuring tape, scissors Here's what I did: 1) I applied a little glue to the wood, before drilling them together to make the frames 2) I then cut the fabric (61" for 4" traps, and 57" for 2" traps), laid it down, put the insulation on top, and then the wood frame on top of that 3) I then folded the fabric over the wood, and stapled it on to the wood. Done. This picture is of my first trap, so it's not as perfectly shaped as the ones that followed. I did not add any additional fabric to the back, so it's bare (maybe not such a good idea, but I'm lazy). I also have not hung them on the walls, so they are leaning against the walls, and corners. I do notice a considerable amount of improvement in my room in regards to acoustics. The Bass/Low freqs are not so overwhelming in the back of the room, and the mids are more present in the listening spot. Sorry I can't provide any acoustic data to compare it with OC703, or the other more popular insulations. Tips** - Get someone to help. I had someone help me hold the frames while I drilled them together, and also pull on the fabric to make sure it was tight while I was stapling it to the frame. Also, don't cheap out on the staple gun.

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27th October 2009	#3
dragonxking Gear nut Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 114 Thread Starter	Maybe I'm being paranoid, but due to the fact that there aren't any acoustic data on the RHM60A, it makes me wonder how it performs against the more popular choices like 703/Roxul 60, or whether or not my traps are truly effective, or if i'm just fooling myself into hearing the difference. i don't know... regardless of whether or not it's as effective as the other choices, i do know it's better than no treatment at all, so I plan on building 6 more traps

27th October 2009	#4
Glenn Kuras Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 11,995	I think your ok with it, by the pictures I see.

29th October 2009	#7
dragonxking Gear nut Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 114 Thread Starter	i hope so. i think i'll be building my next traps with Roxul 60, and compare the difference. I won't be building more traps for another month or 2 though

29th October 2009	#8
dysenterygary Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Central, IL Posts: 1,102	that looks pretty good so far, and if it sounds better, then great job!