How to build my Roxul traps without suffocating to death in my studio.

[Chris Lago]

Hey,

I started building some bass traps with the Roxul Safe n sound. Here are the specs:

Thickness: 3.0”
125 Hz 0.52
250 Hz 0.96
500 Hz 1.18
1000 Hz 1.07
2000 Hz1.05
4000 Hz 1.05
NRC 1.05


They are 3 inch thick, I have 3 built that way so far. Then I have a mega bass trap with 6inch thickness behind me when I mix. Honestly, I have never heard my speakers sound so good, everything sounded clear in the mix.

I used some industrial plastic and tried to wrap them as tight as I could, but the plastic is still a bit loose around it (May have to redo them with adhesive spray. I will be putting a breathable fabric on top of the plastic. All in all, I did this for safety precautions so I don't inhale the Rockwool and die.

I set them up today in my studio to test them out. Notice that I didn't put the fabric on top of the plastic yet, but I just wanted to see if the traps would work. Fortunately they do, but I have a feeling that the dust from the rockwool is going in my respiratory system and it's scratching the insides (basically I can feel it in my throat a bit, but it could be from my asthma).

How safe is rockwool and how would I need to seal it in order to not get any in the air? Would adhesive spray be the answer, or will the fabric help this problem once I wrap them with it?

Any help would be appreciated. I just put the traps in my garage for now, and I can tell right away that the sound is not as good as before when listening through my studio speakers.

[M4-10]

I've built a few dozen traps (6") and panels (3") with Roxul Safe and Sound. When cutting I use a mask and when handling directly I use gloves. I have 16 panels and traps in my project studio.

I have never had the slightest irritation with it, either while building or while in the studio. I wrap my panels and traps in fabric, but I don't use any other sealant.

Rockwool is a different animal from fiberglass, and I don't think it should cause the same respiratory irritation. It's certainly not my experience. Assuming you don't beat your panels with a bat, it shouldn't be producing any irritating dust.

Obviously it is important to clean up after construction.

Anyway, with simple precautions you should be fine. I'll stake your life on it.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by M4-10

I've built a few dozen traps (6") and panels (3") with Roxul Safe and Sound. When cutting I use a mask and when handling directly I use gloves. I have 16 panels and traps in my project studio.

I have never had the slightest irritation with it, either while building or while in the studio. I wrap my panels and traps in fabric, but I don't use any other sealant.

Rockwool is a different animal from fiberglass, and I don't think it should cause the same respiratory irritation. It's certainly not my experience. Assuming you don't beat your panels with a bat, it shouldn't be producing any irritating dust.

Obviously it is important to clean up after construction.

Anyway, with simple precautions you should be fine. I'll stake your life on it.

Oh I needed a mask and some gloves to work with Roxul?? I didn't know that, no wonder my hands are all red

Ok but seriously, I was using a 3M mask and some gloves to do it. My main concern right now is that I put some thick plastic on top and probably didn't seal everything well enough. Also, I am concerned that I didn't put the plastic tight on the roxul. There's a space between the plastic and the roxul. I will be putting some fabric this weekend to finish the traps, and I'm wondering if I should start again and use adhesive spray to put the plastic on the Roxul, and then put the fabric after.

I'm using more precautions since my parents are concerned about my health (I am more concerned about the sound ) and they don't want me to start building the traps wrong, breathe the roxul non stop and die.

[M4-10]

Originally Posted by chrislago

Ok but seriously, I was using a 3M mask and some gloves to do it. My main concern right now is that I put some thick plastic on top and probably didn't seal everything well enough. Also, I am concerned that I didn't put the plastic tight on the roxul. There's a space between the plastic and the roxul. I will be putting some fabric this weekend to finish the traps, and I'm wondering if I should start again and use adhesive spray to put the plastic on the Roxul, and then put the fabric after.

All I'm suggesting, as a Roxul user, is that you are over-reacting a bit. Personally, I don't think any plastic sealant is required, just a fabric cover. But then my parents don't know anything about my DIY endeavors, and don't give me a hard time about it.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by M4-10

All I'm suggesting, as a Roxul user, is that you are over-reacting a bit. Personally, I don't think any plastic sealant is required, just a fabric cover. But then my parents don't know anything about my DIY endeavors, and don't give me a hard time about it.

I totally understand. What I'll do is add the plastic on every one of them and then add the fabric so they don't panic too much (my gf is concerned too) . My 6inch mega trap is working wonders behind me when I'm mixing!

All in all, you can clearly tell that I am not a handy person and people around me know as well.

[PaulP]

Your concern is understandable and if you feel effects I'd be careful. Putting
your rockwool in plastic is a good idea. Here are some threads on the subject,
not that they'll necessarily put your mind at ease, but there is a lot of info :

• Acoutsical Treatment
• DIY Bass Traps. health question
• rockwool

Since I'll also be using Roxul Safe'n'Sound I have a question : How bad is the smell ?
I've read that some find it quite strong, I wonder if it goes completely away with time ?

Paul P

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by PaulP

Your concern is understandable and if you feel effects I'd be careful. Putting
your rockwool in plastic is a good idea. Here are some threads on the subject,
not that they'll necessarily put your mind at ease, but there is a lot of info :

• Acoutsical Treatment
• DIY Bass Traps. health question
• rockwool

Since I'll also be using Roxul Safe'n'Sound I have a question : How bad is the smell ?
I've read that some find it quite strong, I wonder if it goes completely away with time ?

Paul P

When you put the plastic on top, the smell is fine really, it's more of the effects that concern me, since I am asthmatic. Thanks a lot for the links. Also, putting plastic doesn't hinder the traps from performing. I noticed a difference right away!