This took me forever so PLEASE HELP! Diagrams included...

[ChristianN]

First of all, thanks in advance for looking at my thread .

Pictured below is a cool lil room that I am using for guests, watching Blu Rays, playing PS3, and of course... My little project studio I am working on with some of my friends. The 2 diagrams are drawn pretty close to scale and show two different configurations.

Problem is, this room has waaay too much in terms of sound reflections going on, so I need to treat it. I've read lots of posts about sound treatment, but I have a funky configuration and don't have a rectangular room.

I am guessing I need bass traps and other absorption devices...

I don't have top of the line monitors or anything, but hopefully they should do for my budget.

Speaking of my budget, I am a college student so I don't have 1k to spend on this. Maybe $200 or so, so I'd rather build whatever I need myself out of 703/705 (unless anyone has any other suggestions).

Additional info::::::::::::::

Walls are Drywall.

The couch sits pretty low. Monitors are close to ear level, but slightly lower and point straight at the back of the couch. Sometimes I have to bend down a bit to get them to be exactly at ear level. I thought of maybe getting something to raise them a bit, but at their height right now they're at least good enough to write music with.

Tables are made of wood and have glass tops (except for the TV stand which is made of metal and has a glass top). Maybe I need something to put on the glass if it's mixing time?

Music:
Mainly dance music ( French/Indie house, Drum n Bass, Dubstep, EBM, Industrial)
Also some Rock/Indie stuff (mainly recording guitar and doing everything else on the computer) stike

CONFIG 1
*Diagram drawn to scale.
*Ceiling: 7'3" with popcorn finish


CONFIG 2
*Diagram drawn to scale.
*Ceiling: 7'3" with popcorn finish


If you would like any other info, please post your questions and I'll update the thread.

Again, thanks in advance for your time.

C

[McLies]

What are the floor and ceiling surfaces?

[api2500]

Using your DAW, sequence notes from about C1 to about C9 at the same velocity using a Sine wave or sweep one and try and hear where some notes sound louder then others.

Take note of that and post back?
That will tell us what the problem frequencies are in the first place.

I've worked out the Axial Modes for a rectangular version of your room and it looks like your going to have a lot of rogue Low Mid Frequencies. Bass traps tuned to around 100-400hz should help alot. Does that sound about right?

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by ChristianN

I am guessing I need bass traps and other absorption devices.

Yes, more here: Acoustic Basics

CONFIG 1
*Diagram drawn to scale.
*Ceiling: 7'3" with popcorn finish

You'll get much better sound if you rotate everything 90 degrees clockwise, so you're facing the wooden doors. That may not be practical in your room, but it will sound better. Barring that, you need thick absorption on the wall behind the couch to avoid "early" reflections from that wall.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

You'll get much better sound if you rotate everything 90 degrees clockwise, so you're facing the wooden doors. That may not be practical in your room, but it will sound better. Barring that, you need thick absorption on the wall behind the couch to avoid "early" reflections from that wall.

]

agreed. If you can't move then I would put THICK absorption behind the couch area.

[DanDan]

Great Sketch, now move everything

Looks like you are stuck with this sideways orientation. If you can, cover the whole back wall with a deep bass trap. The whole foot would be just fine.
This could be done with a frame, say 4 inches of dense 705 or such, 8inch airgap behind. OR frame and fill the whole thing with cheap attic insulation.
If you can't do this, you can't.
Sometimes all we can do is optimise the hand we are dealt with. Acoustic Measurement is your new best friend. Try different positions for the speakers, one at a time. Don't be afraid to almost touch the wall. FuzzMeasure or REW will reveal the better and worse positions. Ditto the listen and couch positions.
Don't forget to try varying the height.
DD

[ChristianN]

Thanks for replying!
Sorry haven't had much time to reply yet.
Started school this week!

Btw, the only thing I have done so far is balance my sub with the monitors using a rs meter. I definitely have some sort of bass node or something because the bass isn't very loud and I think I over compensate sub bass by turning it up too loud which gives me (poo) results on other speakers. Have not yet had the time to do any other tests yet.

Anyhow, I guess the only question about the comments I can make at the moment is about the bass traps.

How large should they be? Floor to ceiling? corner to corner? What about the door in the corner? Can I use several panels with wooden frames? one huge frame? or no frame?

I apologize for my noobness (ha ha) but can you guys please describe exactly what you envision?

Also, I usually see bass traps in corners of rooms...

Will a giant bass trap of 705 reflects highs? Or should I do a layer of 703 and 705?

After this, what should I focus on next?

Thanks

[ChristianN]

Got a DBX mic... i guess REW is what I will do in the next couple of days.