A few Bass trap Questions

Beefy · 9th December 2009

I have a few questions about about building my own bass traps. I was able to pick up some therafiber safing which is 4" think and is a 4 pound per cubic foot density so I am going to use that.
My questions are When building the frame is it alright to build the frame 3 3/4 inches and cram the insulation in there? I think 1x4s are around that wide and I will be using those along with ripped down plywood to build the frames unless otherwise told.
For cloth covering is it would it be ok to use landscaping fabric to apolster the traps? I can pick it up much cheaper than normal fabric and home depot is much closer than the fabric store.
My last question is about placement. Would it be ok to place the traps more than four inches from the wall as I will be probably setting them on things as apose to mounting them on the wall, reasoning being I don't own the place where I am recording.
I am a noob with acoustics to bare with me and take it easy on me and thank you for your help.

takman · 9th December 2009

yea you can cram it down in there...but too much cramming will result in the insulation pushing thru/ripping the fabric, or having a big bulge on the front. 1/4 inch will probably be safe...plus the insulation might not be exactly 4"...cant say for sure because i used a different material...

safest way would be to get 1 piece of insulation and enough wood to build 1 frame..to make sure it works so you dont end up wasting time/money...

where does the plywood come into play? you dont block the back of panels off....

if you can breathe/blow through the fabric...you can use it...

Glenn Kuras · 9th December 2009

Quote:

When building the frame is it alright to build the frame 3 3/4 inches and cram the insulation in there? I think 1x4s are around that wide and I will be using those along with ripped down plywood to build the frames unless otherwise told.

I think the quarter inch is ok. You just might need a few more in your room. It is not only thickness but over all coverage of the corners in the room.

Quote:

For cloth covering is it would it be ok to use landscaping fabric to apolster the traps? I can pick it up much cheaper than normal fabric and home depot is much closer than the fabric store.

If you can breath through it then it is fine.

Quote:

My last question is about placement. Would it be ok to place the traps more than four inches from the wall as I will be probably setting them on things as apose to mounting them on the wall, reasoning being I don't own the place where I am recording

Yea a few more inches is fine.

Beefy · 10th December 2009

Thanks for the replies they were a lot of help. As far as the plywood goes When I say ripped I'm talking about putting it on a table saw and cutting it down to 3 3/4 in strips the same size as the 1x4s. Its a construction and carpentry term(sorry about the confusion). Just reading all the post in this forum has been a lot of help. Thanks for sharing you knowledge.

9th December 2009	#1
Beefy Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo Posts: 691 Thread Starter	A few Bass trap Questions I have a few questions about about building my own bass traps. I was able to pick up some therafiber safing which is 4" think and is a 4 pound per cubic foot density so I am going to use that. My questions are When building the frame is it alright to build the frame 3 3/4 inches and cram the insulation in there? I think 1x4s are around that wide and I will be using those along with ripped down plywood to build the frames unless otherwise told. For cloth covering is it would it be ok to use landscaping fabric to apolster the traps? I can pick it up much cheaper than normal fabric and home depot is much closer than the fabric store. My last question is about placement. Would it be ok to place the traps more than four inches from the wall as I will be probably setting them on things as apose to mounting them on the wall, reasoning being I don't own the place where I am recording. I am a noob with acoustics to bare with me and take it easy on me and thank you for your help.

9th December 2009	#2
takman Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greece Posts: 991	yea you can cram it down in there...but too much cramming will result in the insulation pushing thru/ripping the fabric, or having a big bulge on the front. 1/4 inch will probably be safe...plus the insulation might not be exactly 4"...cant say for sure because i used a different material... safest way would be to get 1 piece of insulation and enough wood to build 1 frame..to make sure it works so you dont end up wasting time/money... where does the plywood come into play? you dont block the back of panels off.... if you can breathe/blow through the fabric...you can use it... __________________

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10th December 2009	#4
Beefy Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo Posts: 691 Thread Starter	Thanks for the replies they were a lot of help. As far as the plywood goes When I say ripped I'm talking about putting it on a table saw and cutting it down to 3 3/4 in strips the same size as the 1x4s. Its a construction and carpentry term(sorry about the confusion). Just reading all the post in this forum has been a lot of help. Thanks for sharing you knowledge.