varrying foam treatment thickness versus usage

[supercomet32]

I have a control/mix room to treat and am investigating foam treatment and do plan on building some of my own bass traps, diffusors and absorbers however i am curious as to the varying auralex type foam treatments. i have found a company that sells similar product but for much cheaper. Here are the overall RNC's by thickness and type

pyramid
1" RNC .50
2" RNC .71
3" RNC .80
4" RNC .93

wedge
1" RNC .52
2" RNC .81
3" RNC .88
4" RNC 1.07

I am curious if it is better to treat with thinner or thicker as these tend to absorb more low end the thicker they get according to the manufacturer and is there a reference point in terms of frequency upon which to base my decisions.

Also what difference other then numbers plays a role in treatment in regard to orientation of either 90/45 degree on axis and whether vertical or horizontal or / \ with the wedge design

the site is foambymail dot com

thanks in advance

[Glenn Kuras]

foam by mail has been tested by Ethan Winer and has been proven to be a scam. They never tested there products and just made up numbers. Needless to say there numbers don't come close to what they say. Stick with rigid fiberglass or mineral wool.

[supercomet32]

I have helped three different studios that ordered and installed foambymail foam treatment and had positive results. On one occasion did have a problem with the order which was handled really well as some items were shipped with holes and they replaced them absolutely free and did a 48 hr rush shipment. as for the numbers that remains to be seen however do you feal that auralex is an equivalent product and once again regardless of the foam chosen, which shape and treatment orientation yields the best results and would you prefer thicker or thinner treatment for a control/mix room?

[kannon19]

I believe it's the consensus on this forum that the foam is not good enough to handle the low end present. It will deaden all the highs and still leave the room sounding boxy. Also, Ethan Winer has said on this forum several times (that I've read) that the shapes cut into the foam actually decreases their usefulness, as it takes away mass. If you have to use foam, I don't believe that making it thicker could hurt. Glenn?

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by kannon19

I believe it's the consensus on this forum that the foam is not good enough to handle the low end present. It will deaden all the highs and still leave the room sounding boxy. Also, Ethan Winer has said on this forum several times (that I've read) that the shapes cut into the foam actually decreases their usefulness, as it takes away mass. If you have to use foam, I don't believe that making it thicker could hurt. Glenn?

Agreed.

[Arksun]

I have Auralex 4" pyramid foam and can confirm it does nothing whatsoever for the bottom end. Having said that, it does help tame the mid-high frequency early reflections and seemed to tighten the soundstage in a positive way (as long as you dont go crazy and cover the entire room!, that will be muddy boom dry hell).

But like all people that have finally 'seen the light' I'm going in the direction of fibre/mineral based products instead

[supercomet32]

ok thats what i was curious of whether makign it thicker had a better advantage on bass freq's. i was already aware that 1" didnt do much and was jus ttrying to gather also whether the shape had more advantage or if it was thickness and also if it was a foam by mail thing or a foam in general

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by supercomet32

ok thats what i was curious of whether makign it thicker had a better advantage on bass freq's. i was already aware that 1" didnt do much and was jus ttrying to gather also whether the shape had more advantage or if it was thickness and also if it was a foam by mail thing or a foam in general

It won't help with low end, though it will help with high mids and high frequencies like the other poster stated. The problem is, that's a very minor issue in most rooms. The biggest problem literally 95% of the time are low frequency standing waves that dominate the sound of the room. Foam won't *touch* that.

Frank

[DaVinci]

What about early reflection points, though?

I'm going to be covering most of my cr with mineralwool soonm, and trapping the heck out of almost all the corners. I agree that low end is my toughest issue, and I'm focussed on that, but at the end of the day, it will still be parallel walls everywhere. I was thinking something like 4" pyramid foam could help only at the early reflection points partly because of the shape... I'd still have minerall wool behind it for the stuff that just passes through...

room will also be used for vocal recording... same. Thought 4" pyramid foam might help at early reflection points... with mineral wool behind it.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by CallMeAl

What about early reflection points, though?

I'm going to be covering most of my cr with mineralwool soonm, and trapping the heck out of almost all the corners. I agree that low end is my toughest issue, and I'm focussed on that, but at the end of the day, it will still be parallel walls everywhere. I was thinking something like 4" pyramid foam could help only at the early reflection points partly because of the shape... I'd still have minerall wool behind it for the stuff that just passes through...

room will also be used for vocal recording... same. Thought 4" pyramid foam might help at early reflection points... with mineral wool behind it.

4" foam will work fine for early reflection points and slap echo. thumbsup