Gearslutz.com
All Advertisers

Go Back   Gearslutz.com > The Forums > Studio construction & acoustics > Bass traps, acoustic panels, foam etc

Bass traps, acoustic panels, foam etc Post bass traps, acoustic panel questions here

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rating: Thread Rating: 6 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
Old 27th September 2006, 06:37 PM   #1
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
How I built my bass (broadband) traps...

Hi!

There seems to be alot of talk about bass trapping on the board right now so I thought it was a good idea to post some info on how I built mine. I really want to encourage everyone to build their own, it's easy and well worth the effort!

Each trap is built as a 17 cm deep frame housing 15 cm (6") of rock wool (not the brand) then the front and back is covered with fabric.

Here is the material for the frame. You can also see four angled metal plates. They are there to prevent the rock wool from slipping out the back.

/Cojo
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0069.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:41 PM   #2
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Here is how they should fit together...
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0073.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:43 PM   #3
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Glue...
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0078.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:44 PM   #4
bpape
Gear addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Louis(Wildwood), MO
Posts: 419
That'll work.

If you want to expose a bit more to the world, try drilling some holes in the sides, top and bottom.

Bryan
__________________
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley

Bryan Pape
Lead Acoustical Designer
GIK Acoustics
bpape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:52 PM   #5
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
...and screws.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0080.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:55 PM   #6
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
The finished frame! I'll post some more pictures tomorrow.

/Cojo
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0082.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 06:58 PM   #7
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpape View Post
That'll work.

If you want to expose a bit more to the world, try drilling some holes in the sides, top and bottom.

Bryan
Thanks for you're advice!

I've thought of doing that. How much more efficient would you think they will get?

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 07:11 PM   #8
Poplab Studios
Gear addict
 
Poplab Studios's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 337
thanks for sharing this
Poplab Studios is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 08:03 PM   #9
pan60
500 series nutjob
 
pan60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 500 series Guru land ; )
Posts: 5,424
Send a message via Skype™ to pan60
cool!
__________________
www.pan60.com

it is easy to sound as though one was endowed with great intelligence, whilst speaking amongst a crowd of total morons

quote: The Hammer is like sonic crack. I'm actually afraid to use it for tracking Brad McGowan

quote: Watch it Goatee boy.... not_so_new

quote: your secret identity is safe with me superman! Peter Montessi
pan60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 08:03 PM   #10
Glenn Kuras
Lives for gear
 
Glenn Kuras's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,953
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cojo View Post
Thanks for you're advice!

I've thought of doing that. How much more efficient would you think they will get?

/Cojo
Well on a 4x2 4" panel it would give you 50% more exposed area if the sides are open.. 6"? well, check my numbers but that would be 75% more exposed would it not?

Nice DYI dude! ... You may want to think about putting some FRK on the fronts. This will help with a little more low end and also keep the room from going "DEAD" on the high end.

Glenn
__________________
Glenn Kuras - GIK Acoustics
www.GIKAcoustics.com
GIK Is Now Offering Room Kits
Glenn Kuras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 08:18 PM   #11
djui5
Lives for gear
 
djui5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 6,671
Send a message via Yahoo to djui5
Nice
__________________
_________________

"What is a crossfire hurricane & why wasn't I born in one?"

Randy Wright
http://www.myspace.com/djui5
djui5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 09:28 PM   #12
Bendybones
Gear interested
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by myfipie View Post
You may want to think about putting some FRK on the fronts.
Thanks for this guys.
What is FRK?
Bendybones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th September 2006, 11:26 PM   #13
bpape
Gear addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Louis(Wildwood), MO
Posts: 419
FRK/FSK is a scrim facing that comes on some insulation products. It's paper on one side, foil on the other, and has a reinforcing mesh in the middle.

The purpose is two-fold:

- act somewhat like a damped membrane increasing absorbtion at a specific band based on the density of the material behind it.

- reflect upper mids and highs so you can absorb the bottom without overdoing the top and making it too dead.

Bryan
__________________
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley

Bryan Pape
Lead Acoustical Designer
GIK Acoustics
bpape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 01:33 AM   #14
Bendybones
Gear interested
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
nice
Bendybones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 08:26 AM   #15
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by myfipie View Post
Well on a 4x2 4" panel it would give you 50% more exposed area if the sides are open.. 6"? well, check my numbers but that would be 75% more exposed would it not?

Nice DYI dude! ... You may want to think about putting some FRK on the fronts. This will help with a little more low end and also keep the room from going "DEAD" on the high end.

Glenn
You're right. I did the math and if I could fully expose the side, top and bottom the area would increase about by 80%! With the framing a more realistic figure would be in the 40% area. I didn't think it was so much. Unfortunatly these absorbers are allready done but I've allready plans for another batch so I probably make them with exposed sides.

Thanks for the advice on the FRK. Each trap is made of 3 slabs, I want them to absorb hi end aswell. What about putting FRK so it's facing the front between the first and second slab?

Thanks again!

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 08:36 AM   #16
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poplab Studios View Post
thanks for sharing this
Anytime!

Quote:
Originally Posted by pan60 View Post
cool!
Yep, thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by djui5 View Post
Nice
To kind!

I'll post some more pics this evening!

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 12:12 PM   #17
Bendybones
Gear interested
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cojo View Post
if I could fully expose the side, top and bottom the area would increase about by 80%!
How do u mean "expose" them?
Do u mean expose the rockwool inside so that on certain sides it isn't covered by wood and heavy material?
Bendybones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 04:40 PM   #18
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bendybones View Post
How do u mean "expose" them?
Do u mean expose the rockwool inside so that on certain sides it isn't covered by wood and heavy material?
Yep, excactly! But it's hard to use all 80% because of the frame. So in round figures 40% would be more realistic.

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 04:59 PM   #19
zoff
Gear Head
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Jersey USA
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by myfipie View Post
Well on a 4x2 4" panel it would give you 50% more exposed area if the sides are open.. 6"? well, check my numbers but that would be 75% more exposed would it not?
Glenn
I'm using a frame made of 1'' by 2'' wood in the back of 2 2" 703 pieces.
Cloth is stapled to the wood frame holding the firberlass is place. This makes the frame much lighter and easier to hang. Is there any problem with building the traps this way?
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-bass-trap.jpg  
zoff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:02 PM   #20
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Ok, the frames are ready and it's time to get the insulation in place. I use a ground slab from Paroc. It's a very hi density mineral wool.

Here's a picture of the label.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0089.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:04 PM   #21
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
The open package.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0084.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:08 PM   #22
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
The first slab gets fitted. It's very tight and if you've done accurate messures it actually stay in place without any need to secure it. I've choosed to secure it anyway.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0086.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:11 PM   #23
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
First slab in place at the back, two more to go in front of this one.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0087.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:14 PM   #24
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
And here it is with all three layers.
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0093.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:18 PM   #25
Joel DuBay
Gear maniac
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 233
Conny,

This is fantastic, and something the acoustic DIY community can benefit from in a big way.

There is s BRAND NEW Acoustics forum just about to go live that is non-commercial and is dedicated entirely to idea and application of DIY ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS..


Would you be interested in sharing your project at this new forum?

Please PM me, or email me through the website.
Your contribution would be enormous and greatlt, greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Joel DuBay
www.readyacoustics.com
Joel DuBay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:19 PM   #26
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Here's another picture of all four traps ready to get the final treatment! I'll post those pictures later.

/Cojo
Attached Thumbnails
how-i-built-my-bass-traps-pict0094.jpg  
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:25 PM   #27
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoff View Post
I'm using a frame made of 1'' by 2'' wood in the back of 2 2" 703 pieces.
Cloth is stapled to the wood frame holding the firberlass is place. This makes the frame much lighter and easier to hang. Is there any problem with building the traps this way?
Hi.

If you have wood in the back of the 703 you can't distance them from the wall and they will not be as efficiant.

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:32 PM   #28
zoff
Gear Head
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Jersey USA
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cojo View Post
Hi.

If you have wood in the back of the 703 you can't distance them from the wall and they will not be as efficiant.

/Cojo
Thanks for replying. I hope I'm not hijacking the OP.

The wood is 2 inches wide and about 1.5 inches deep, so the 703 is 1.5 from the wall (I'm using these on the corners of the room).
Am I missing something?
Thanks.
zoff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 05:36 PM   #29
Cojo
Lives for gear
 
Cojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden!
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoff View Post
Thanks for replying. I hope I'm not hijacking the OP.

The wood is 2 inches wide and about 1.5 inches deep, so the 703 is 1.5 from the wall (I'm using these on the corners of the room).
Am I missing something?
Thanks.
Aahhh... Now I see! Sorry, I had a hard time reading your sketch.

It looks fine! My mistake.

/Cojo
__________________
Conny Johansson
[ www.asteroidkiller.com ]
Cojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2006, 07:22 PM   #30
bpape
Gear addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: St. Louis(Wildwood), MO
Posts: 419
If you want them to do mids and highs too, then don't use any FRK/FSK. The point of it is to be able to do more bass control without overdoing the highs.

Bryan
__________________
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley

Bryan Pape
Lead Acoustical Designer
GIK Acoustics
bpape is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Digg