How I built my bass traps...

[Cojo]

Hi again, I've started to make some new traps.

Since I made the first traps I have learned a few things so you can say that these new traps are version 2 of the original design.

The difference is the framing wood that now have holes cut through them so the effectiveness of the traps will become much better. This, obviously, have made them much lighter but it has also involved much more work.

On these pictures I took today you can see the sides getting done.

[Cojo]

Here are the ready cut framing for two traps.

[4stringerfinger]

Awesome, can't wait to finally work on my DIY acoustic treatment project. Thanks for the update.

[Scott R. Foster]

Nice... I'm going to go build a drink in your honor.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Scott R. Foster

Nice... I'm going to go build a drink in your honor.

me two

[bpape]

Nice work. Most people don't take the time to do nicely shaped cutouts like that.

That's enough surface area to make a significant difference in the amount of absorbant exposed.

Sorry, I'm late to the party and it's too early to have a drink or two - well, maybe a little Kahlua in the coffee....

Bryan

[Cojo]

The drinks are on me!

Here's todays progress... The frames have been assembled, and they have been stained.

[tubedude]

THat might be a little harder than using a hole saw, but it looks good. I would stain the outside and cover the inside side of the hole with material to keep stuff in.

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by tubedude

I would stain the outside and cover the inside side of the hole with material to keep stuff in.

That's the plan!

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Cojo

That's the plan!

Great looking stuff there sir!!!
Keep the pictures coming.

Glenn

[svart]

I thought for proper absorbtion/dissipation the traps actually had to be sealed and airtight except for their fronts?

[Glenn Kuras]

You are thinking of sealed panel traps, which are tuned to a certain problem frequency. What he is building is a broad band bass trap which picks up more of the over all frequency range.

Glenn

[Cojo]

So... here are todays work!

The fabric is getting stapled and trimmed on the sides.

[Cojo]

Here's the finished frames before fitting the insulation.

[Cojo]

Picture of the front and the back of the trap filled with 6" of insulation.

[Cojo]

Me with a staple gun and a scissor attaching the frontcover.

[Cojo]

...and finally, two selfmade traps ready to be transported to me!

[pan60]

to cool!!!

[Scott R. Foster]

The best bass traps in the world are home made [well the worst too - but that aint the case here].

[xmostynx]

does it really matter what kind of insulation you use?

i'm not that familiar with insulation..but what about wall insulation? thats REALLY thick would that work at all?

and should you wrap the insulation in some kind of plastic to seal it off? insulation fibers=unhealthy to breath in?

i'm getting ready to build m ine..just wondering!!

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by pan60

to cool!!!

Originally Posted by Scott R. Foster

The best bass traps in the world are home made [well the worst too - but that aint the case here].

You're flattering me!

I have to say that it was much more work too. Cutting those extra holes in the sides wasn't difficult but it took alot more time, I really like the looks of them. I'll hope it will be worth it in the end. On paper you can say that I've got three traps, instead of two, compared to if I have done them as the previous ones.

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by xmostynx

does it really matter what kind of insulation you use?

i'm not that familiar with insulation..but what about wall insulation? thats REALLY thick would that work at all?

and should you wrap the insulation in some kind of plastic to seal it off? insulation fibers=unhealthy to breath in?

i'm getting ready to build m ine..just wondering!!

Hi, I'll try to answer.

It does matter which insulation you use. You want to use insulation with high density. If you use fibre glass the density would be from around 45kg/sqr meter to 90kg/sqr meter. If you use stone wool the density would be a little bit higher.

If you wrap it in plastic it would still work for low frequencies but all the high frequecies would reflect back to you. I will not say anything about the helth aspect as I'm no doctor.

Good luck to you!

[bpape]

For some reason, the last pic of the finished product isn't coming through.

Bryan

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by bpape

For some reason, the last pic of the finished product isn't coming through.

Bryan

Strange... I can see it. Try to reload or check back later.

[studio825]

love the trap design .....
i would be careful with the facing cloth that the weave is not too tight as this will have a reflective response i have heard this in action and its not pretty .....also the fire aspect safety first... im gonna be building some too



As long as you can breath through the material you will have no problems>

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Cojo

...and finally, two selfmade traps ready to be transported to me!

thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup

[Scott R. Foster]

Originally Posted by xmostynx

does it really matter what kind of insulation you use?

i'm not that familiar with insulation..but what about wall insulation? thats REALLY thick would that work at all?

and should you wrap the insulation in some kind of plastic to seal it off? insulation fibers=unhealthy to breath in?

i'm getting ready to build m ine..just wondering!!

Yes standard wall insulation will work, but you have to get it pretty thick for standard pink fluffy insulation to work well low in the band. Its not really about density but a related physical property called gas flow resistance that has a linear relationship [of a given material the higher the density, the higher the GFR].

Going from 4" to 24" thick with a higher GFR material like 705 or dense flavors of rockwool gives little reward for all the extra expense. About 4" is the "sweet spot' for efficeincy with such materials.

Using only 4" of a lower GFR material like roll insulation will not work on LF - but 24" of it will perform superlatively all the way across the band.

Mineral wool is not a health risk - but it is a nasty irritant - any breathable fabric cover will do to keep you away from it and vice versa - use the poly film if you want to reject HF as described above.

[macmod]

very, very nice!

Are they still pretty 'firm' with the side holes?

Regards,
Macmod

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by macmod

very, very nice!

Are they still pretty 'firm' with the side holes?

Regards,
Macmod

Yes they are actually!

I wish I did all he traps like this but It's too much work to redo them. Maby in another life or another time!?

[David-Morpheus]

Hi,

here are a cuple of lousy pictures of the traps I have build - this thread was a big source of information

I have made 7 pieces each si 1250x625x13 mm

guess I need to clean thoose windows , my place is a total mess now I just moved into the new controlroom and am rebuilding the live room and bulding a vocal booth/iso booth