realtraps in comparison to Rigid fiberglass

Has anyone besides Ethan compared Real traps to Homemade traps 703/705 coverd in Guilford ? I'm asking because Real Traps are considerably more expensive and if they are worth it I'll pay, but I'd rather save and build myself if the sound will be similar
(no offense Ethan, I know u are normally the consumers' advocate in room taming, but in this case u are the manufacturer)

I ask this one because I'm thinking of moving my gear from the studio to a small extra bedroom at home in hopes of having no rent.

And also because in another post, I saw someone ask Ethan if he gets upset at others selling traps similiar to real traps. Of course, Ethan provided a graceful reply as we would expect from him. But before I read Ethan's reply, I was thinking I'm pretty sure Real traps are not the first trap covered in material, filled with 703 like material, and marketed to consumers. I would think Ethan saw other traps (like the homemade ones) and experimented with ways to improve them and landed at REALTRAPS which he began to sell, so anyone selling homemade type traps shouldnt be considered as copying real traps.
\

PEACE

[Brad McGowan]

I'm curious about this too, as I've always made all my own traps, but I'm getting ready to buy some MondoTraps. What's the scoop?

thanks,
Brad

[Teacher]

if you go to ethan's site i think he has instruction on how to make real traps.

www.ethanwiner.com

I think

He does:

Build a better bass trap


I built these for my control room and they work fine.
You need to be an "ok" caarpenter to build anything that looks decent.
Also, pay atttention to the details.


I am about to swap out the 2 low traps in the front of my room by filling the corners with mineral wool.

I will post if there is much of a difference.


David

[nukmusic]

Sup? dart? Hows the HD system? I'll have to peep you out.

I built the MOBO's(picture frames as Will calls them...LOL) for my room with te 1x6's, rockwool, and cloth. Makes the room sound great. Gives the Mackie's a better sound.
Evens things out in the booth and CR.

www.johnlsayers.com is like the gearslutz of design and acoustics..........lol

check out http://www.tbrstudio.com/
http://www.tbrstudio.com/newstudio/finishedroom4.jpg


after seeing his, I built a few too. He used 2"x4" pine, I used 2"x6" pine to add a 3" air gap at the rear of the trap. The Real traps cost to Dam much.

Hit me up so you can pass through and check it out if u like. holla

p.s. i hit u on the PM

[AnalogUniverse]

in addition to the great links already posted: http://forum.studiotips.com

[Ethan Winer]

Folks,

> Has anyone besides Ethan compared Real traps to Homemade traps 703/705 coverd in Guilford ? <

The problem is it's not easy to "compare" the effectiveness of two types of bass traps without paying an acoustics lab. That's what we do, and it's the only way to know for sure if "absorber A" is better than "absorber B" at various frequencies. There's no question that rigid fiberglass wrapped in fabric works, but there's more to our traps than just rigid fiberglass.

I'm not trying to turn this into a sales pitch! Just clarifying what you're asking. Also, some people don't want to be bothered with DIY projects, and won't try to make their own mike preamps or cable snakes either. It's a fair amount of work to design and build a trap that looks good, has side vents and an open rear (to increase absorption), and can be mounted easily. For those with more ambition than cash, I'm always glad to help with DIY advice. And for those who can't be bothered, I can help there too.

--Ethan

[camitchell]

Originally Posted by AnalogUniverse

in addition to the great links already posted: http://forum.studiotips.com

Yes, on the studio tips site they did do some actual testing of 703 vs RealTraps vs Auralex vs Batt insulation in an acoustics lab. I saw the original data which was very interesting.

The data is still posted on the site, however, I believe that Realtraps 'requested' that the data involving their products be removed from the graph.... regardless, there is still some excellent and eye opening info there.

[caseyLA]

http://forum.studiotips.com

After 6 months of research, I came to the conclusion that the link above is the ONLY acoustics forum I needed to learn what I needed to know about small room acoustics. It can get very in-depth, but if you take the time to separate fact from fiction, it will pay off.

[IntelDoc]

First off, thanks to whoever it was for the link reference to my studio.

Second, I must thanks Ethan as he helped me tremendously with the basstraps. I was on the brink of spending the cash on the REAL TRAPS, but found that my budget was not where it needed to be for that type of expense. I am a DIY guy for the most part and really wanted to add a flare to the studio. When I stumbled upon the page that he showed the blueprints to make traps I took in upon myself to give it a go. They are very easy to make and I liked the ability to really customize mine to what I was going after. If you visit my site and look at the STUDIO PRE PLAN I really intended for them to be red and they turned out exactly as planned.

NOW! I am sure that the REAL TRAPS are better in some instances for absorbtion and what not, but again I was on a budget and needed a lot for my spaces. The cost was just not in the game plan. I managed to find a company that would deliver 703 to my door, and in bundles I spent $121.00 dollars on 21 pieces of 2x4 703 rigid fiberglass. About $250.00 on the wood needed and went to town with paint and what not. The fabric I used was a very thin, light weight fabric that looks sweet (people joke about the look of a porn studio- though I have never seen one personally ) I was completely happy with the results. I built 15 in a days time using my nail gun, screws, paint and staples. They are rugged, and made such a difference with the "ping" that it is amazing. My mixes have really come forward from the fact that I can now hear my freqs. better.

So, if it is in the budget, definitely talk to Ethan on it. If you are a DIY, definitely try to make them. You could buy better wood I am sure, stain the sides and really make them come out. I used POPLAR for my slot wall and it looks fantastic. Used regular PINE for the tracps though and all was well.

Good luck,

- Doc

[midigod]

There are some plans on my site for broadband absorbers, located here:

http://www.pmerecords.com./Broadband.cfm

Ethan's products are superb. I own eleven RealTraps, and I can definitely say they're worth the money. Though whether you have the money is another story.

-Craig

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by IntelDoc

So, if it is in the budget, definitely talk to Ethan on it. If you are a DIY, definitely try to make them. You could buy better wood I am sure, stain the sides and really make them come out. I used POPLAR for my slot wall and it looks fantastic. Used regular PINE for the tracps though and all was well.

Good luck,

- Doc

I saw the "slot wall" pics. Can you tell us more about that? What's the story with that?

thanks,

Brad
(soon to be owner of two MondoTraps)

[IntelDoc]

Brad,
I basically went out to the John Sayers forum and did the research on the slot wall design. Wanted to try to isolate certain freqs. as my studio is in my home (townhouse) I am fortunate enought to have 3 foor thick firewall on either side that span the height and width of the house so my neighbors are cool. The wall has the typical firwall, with the framing and dry wall. I then framed a 2x4 outter frame on the existing wall and added 4 iches of rigid fiberglass (703) from floor to ceiling and then covered that with burlap. I then took the slot chart (forgot the tech. name) and did the widths according to it to trap certain freqs. As my math serves I can isolate down to 400hz or so and try to control that some. I also have 3 traps in the room as well as a 4x8 piece of plywood and foam on the wall with the window. There is a curtain that I am putting up for looks really that will also add some absorbtion. As far as a acoustics, to me it sounds fantastic on about all that I track.

Here are some acoustic guitar samples of the room:

LONELY THOUGHTS

THE RAIN

TAPPING ON GLASS

ITL - LoveKiller

Some good, some bad, but the over all acoustics I really like.

Hope this helps?

- Doc

Ethan, I appreciate your presence here and your willingness to help. I am one who would prefer to DIY if I can get comparable results. However I do not doubt the quality of your products. I understand there is an increased cost of having someone else do the work, and not everyone is handy with an assortment of tools (router, saws, drills etc...) In my studio I've always built my own racks/desks etc... I have no problem with paying for quality, however if I can build it myself and pay less this is the route I will go.

Either way, your presence and assistance is appreciated.


Regards