How I built my bass traps...

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

excellent, thats just what i wanted to hear.

i ended up finding a place that sells rockwool. they had packages containing three 4ft. x 2ft. x 4in. boards for something like $20.00 usd. i was able to fit three packages in my car, so we'll see how far that takes me. im planning to cut the boards into 1ft. x 1ft. x 1ft. triangles, stack, frame and wrap them, and then put them a few inches off the corners.

since my walls angle inwards 4ft. above the floor, leaving a roughly equal length at the ceiling between the two walls, i figure i'll make six 4ft. columns- one for each corner and one for the front and back ceiling. what do ya'll think of that?

You want to cut the triangles to 17"x17" x 2'. One foot just is not enough coverage area. If you are running short you could just make the panels 4" and straddle the corner. Yes it does not work as well, but as Ethan said it is the a great bang for the buck. But also more over all coverage is much better then just few thicker panels.

Glenn

[erich]

wouldnt it be more like 12 sq. ft. of surface, since all three sides of the 4 ft. tall triangle would be exposed?

edit- let me retract this question, since you obviously know what you're talking about.

[erich]

also, i was planning to buy some auralex 2'' pyramid foam for behind the monitors and early reflections spots, but if i just tailor my 4'' thick rock wool to two 2'' thick slabs will the effect be similiar or better?

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

also, i was planning to buy some auralex 2'' pyramid foam for behind the monitors and early reflections spots, but if i just tailor my 4'' thick rock wool to two 2'' thick slabs will the effect be similiar or better?

YES, use the 2" for the early reflection points in the room.

[erich]

what if i dont cut the rockwool at all? i have nine 2ft. x 4ft. x 4in. panels, im thinking of just wrapping each one separately, framing them and putting one in each corner, one at the front and back ceiling corners, one directly in front of the mix position and one on each side of my mix position. im thinking i'll leave the back wall untreated to keep some life in this really small room. (the back wall will be about 7-8 feet behind my head.)

so whats the difference between a 4'' panel next to my head and a 2'' panel?

thanks so much for your help. i'll definitely be posting my own pictures soon.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

what if i dont cut the rockwool at all? i have nine 2ft. x 4ft. x 4in. panels, im thinking of just wrapping each one separately, framing them and putting one in each corner, one at the front and back ceiling corners, one directly in front of the mix position and one on each side of my mix position. im thinking i'll leave the back wall untreated to keep some life in this really small room. (the back wall will be about 7-8 feet behind my head.)

so whats the difference between a 4'' panel next to my head and a 2'' panel?

thanks so much for your help. i'll definitely be posting my own pictures soon.

4" is just going to reach a little lower, so yes if want to go that way there is nothing wrong with it. I will tell you that you need 4" or more thick panels for the back wall. There are some pretty nasty nulls and peaks you want to take care of.

Glenn

[erich]

ok, maybe i'll split one of the panels in half, to create two 2ft. x 4ft. x 2in. panels for the sides of my head, and then put the extra panel across the back wall. how does that sound?

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

ok, maybe i'll split one of the panels in half, to create two 2ft. x 4ft. x 2in. panels for the sides of my head, and then put the extra panel across the back wall. how does that sound?

That sounds like a good idea. If you can space the side panels off the wall 2" and the back wall 4".

Glenn

[erich]

excellent, thanks so much.

edit- i read some stuff about "frk" being good for maintaining the integrity of the highs, and generally not completely deaden the room. since i have really small room, im assuming this is a concern i should be aware of, but im not sure what frk is? i know that the rockwool i bought doesnt have any covering, but could i cover it with something that would help reflect the highs? like, what if i put some posters over some of the traps? and then, which traps?

[erich]

also, i saw you recommend diffusers in another thread. would that help me here? my room is about 11ft. x 12ft., with the long walls taking a 45-ish degree 4ft. off the floor. this space is already pretty damped for highs and mids, i think, so im wondering how best to combat that, while still getting a ton of bass traps in.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

excellent, thanks so much.

edit- i read some stuff about "frk" being good for maintaining the integrity of the highs, and generally not completely deaden the room. since i have really small room, im assuming this is a concern i should be aware of, but im not sure what frk is? i know that the rockwool i bought doesnt have any covering, but could i cover it with something that would help reflect the highs? like, what if i put some posters over some of the traps? and then, which traps?

FRK is a facing that not only keeps some of the highs in the room but also acts as a membrane which helps absorb a little more low end. You can buy it and attach it to the mineral wool you have all ready.

Glenn

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by erich

also, i saw you recommend diffusers in another thread. would that help me here? my room is about 11ft. x 12ft., with the long walls taking a 45-ish degree 4ft. off the floor. this space is already pretty damped for highs and mids, i think, so im wondering how best to combat that, while still getting a ton of bass traps in.

Read the following to get a better understanding how diffusion works. GIK Acoustics presents "How Diffusion Works!"
This should help guide you.

Glenn

[erich]

what does frk stand for? i'd go buy some, but i'd like to know what im talking about when i find a supplier.

also, what about the poster idea? i also have some rolls of red rosin paper, might that work?

and how should this material be placed, in conjunction with the rockwool, wrapping fabric and frame?

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by erich

what does frk stand for?

Foil-Reinforced Kraft (paper).

--Ethan

[mikedevelta]

Thanks to Cojo for posting the original pics of his bass trap designs and other gearslutz who have contributed to this thread. I have learned so much.

These are my results and I'm very happy with the new focused, tight sound.

MASSIVE difference and well worth the effort.

Step 1



Step 2



Step 3



Step 4



Step 5

[mikedevelta]

Sorry for the BIG image size guys, haven't worked out the thumbnail thing yet, first post, learner

[zvenx]

thanks for posting those photos.
Can you share exact dimensions? Are they a little over 24x48 to allow the mineral wool to rest comfortable in it or are they exactly 24x48 and you squeezed the mineral wool into them?
thanks
rsp

[mikedevelta]

The frames are exactly the same dimesions as my panels, 120cm x 60cm. The two frames are then made to sit on top and sandwich the rockwool to keep it firm.
6 channels were also routed into the rockwool at the corners and mid points (with an electric bread knife as mentioned in this thread before) to allow for the connecting pieces.
Hope this helps

[Cojo]

Like your pictures. Thoose looks very nice, Mike!

Originally Posted by mikedevelta

Thanks to Cojo for posting the original pics of his bass trap designs and other gearslutz who have contributed to this thread. I have learned so much.

These are my results and I'm very happy with the new focused, tight sound.

MASSIVE difference and well worth the effort.

Step 1



Step 2



Step 3



Step 4



Step 5

[TRA]

There is a video on YouTube if you type in "bass traps" that shows you how to build a bass trap only using a backer made from 1x2. The only issue is the dimensions in the video make the frame 1 inch short in length and width.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[nharmonic]

This is one of my favorite threads on GS.

Literally a fountain of information and experience here.

Special thanks to COJO for initiating this effort (so long ago, but just as relevant today) and sharing his ingenuity. Nice work on all accounts!

Thanks to all contributors for keeping the knowledge flowing (acousticians, pro manufacturers, DIY types... recording engineers moonlighting as carpenters--that would be me ).

I am currently in the middle of constructing two new rooms in my unfinished basement (recent move) - so my focus right now is isolation (I have a journal with pics of each phase that I will be organizing soon and posting in "diary of a studio construction" section).

These new rooms will need plenty of frames so off to the drawing board (in lieu of this communities spirit of sharing, I will keep you posted).

You ALL have raised the bar. Truly inspiring. Thanks again GS.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by BCNinternational

This is one of my favorite threads on GS.

Literally a fountain of information and experience here.

Special thanks to COJO for initiating this effort (so long ago, but just as relevant today) and sharing his ingenuity. Nice work on all accounts!

Thanks to all contributors for keeping the knowledge flowing (acousticians, pro manufacturers, DIY types... recording engineers moonlighting as carpenters--that would be me ).

I am currently in the middle of constructing two new rooms in my unfinished basement (recent move) - so my focus right now is isolation (I have a journal with pics of each phase that I will be organizing soon and posting in "diary of a studio construction" section).

These new rooms will need plenty of frames so off to the drawing board (in lieu of this communities spirit of sharing, I will keep you posted).

You ALL have raised the bar. Truly inspiring. Thanks again GS.

be sure to post pictures when you are done.

Glenn

[Old Goat]

Originally Posted by mikedevelta

Thanks to Cojo for posting the original pics of his bass trap designs and other gearslutz who have contributed to this thread. I have learned so much.

These are my results and I'm very happy with the new focused, tight sound.

MASSIVE difference and well worth the effort.

Step 1



Step 2



Step 3



Step 4



Step 5

Great pictures, and a very cool design! Thanks, Mike.

[h4nc0]

here are mine. I've tried to order some traps from the US but shipping to Korea was just outrageous. So I've read this forum and had someone I know to make some for me.

[h4nc0]

Ok, here are the finished traps.

[nharmonic]

Nice

[Glenn Kuras]

I see A LOT of people build stuff and will admit these are some of the finest so far. GREAT JOB..

Glenn

[h4nc0]

Thanks. My room sounds MUCH better now!

[Cojo]

Very nice indeed!

It's fun to see how this thread has evolved and now have a life of its own. Keep on building!

Originally Posted by h4nc0

Ok, here are the finished traps.

[ollicollins]

I've made 11 2x4 4inch thick frames filled with 4inch rockwool, I Covered them in fabric and mounted 4inches off the wall but i've made them with 1/8inch ply backs panels should i remove back panels so they are just rockwool in frames?????