Another DIY Traps Question - painting the fabric

[jebjerome]

I will be creating a bunch of traps in the near future and was thinking of using canvas to cover them, which led me to think of painting them, which is what I think of when I think of canvas.

How much would a layer of acrylic paint f up the absorption on bass traps?

It seems like the answer is too much to be worth it to look cool, or else everyone would have skulls and tigers and sh*t painted on their traps.

Is that correct or can you get away with a thin coat w/o undermining the acoustical goodness of them?

Thanks. You guys are awesome.

[H-Musikk]

Hi,
You should try to post your question here:
http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultim...orum/f/26.html

[u b k]

no good. the fabric has to be breathable, meaning you can breathe thru it with little resistance. canvas is too thick to begin with, and acrylic will dry hard, creating a highly reflective surface that bounces soundwaves back rather than letting them thru where they can be trapped.

maybe some airbrushing on light cotton?


gregoire
del ubik

[cletus]

On some of my DIY bass traps I have craft paper behind the fabric facing into the room. It's good to have some of your bass traps reflect high frequencies, it helps to keep the room from getting to dead. Now painting I'm not too sure about. You'll definitely be reflecting the higher freguencies if decide to paint with acrylics. Maybe Ethan will chime in otherwise go to Ethan's forum at: www.prosoundweb.com Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MJGreene Audio]

Be careful with canvas. Most canvas I have seen has a very tight weave. It will absorb some but mostly it will reflect the high end back into the room. I worked in a room that did this and it was a mess. Go with a nice fabric. Spend some extra money. Not only will it look better but it will look and sound better.

An DON'T paint them. Same deal. It will close up the holes and you will have a very expensive reflective wall panel.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by u b i k

no good. the fabric has to be breathable, meaning you can breathe thru it with little resistance. canvas is too thick to begin with, and acrylic will dry hard, creating a highly reflective surface that bounces soundwaves back rather than letting them thru where they can be trapped.


gregoire
del ubik

When I get it together and build some traps, I want to cover them with Fender silverface style grill cloth. Besides looking way cool it will let a lot of air through the fabric. Even Vox style would be nice.

[nosebleedaudio]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

When I get it together and build some traps, I want to cover them with Fender silverface style grill cloth. Besides looking way cool it will let a lot of air through the fabric. Even Vox style would be nice.

I like that idea, could even put a Vox Logo at the top...

[Rodney Gene]

Originally Posted by u b i k

canvas is too thick to begin with,


gregoire
del ubik

Not here.

The GIK acoustic canvas bass traps I use are extremely effective...truly a godsend.

Glenn (who makes them) is also new regular here on Gearslutz...perhaps he uses a thinner type?

The low end in this room is completely under control. I have measured my listening position a lot this past couple of months as I switched from Mackies to JBLs as my main monitors.

In all honesty I am going to make some small frames for these to clean up thier appearance and to reduce some absorption.

Cheers.

[DeeDrive]

It really depends on what type of traps you're making. If you building membrane type traps with a hard relective surface on the front, (such as plywood), then I don't think it would matter very much to have paint on the front. If you making traps just out of 703 or 705, then the paint would be covering a surface that is meant to absorb sound, which would make it reflect high frequencies. To my understand, this isn't really too bad of a thing, probably similar to having FRK faced 703 or 705.

And for the record, I for one would definetely NOT have skulls painted on my traps.

[cletus]

I used unbleached muslin for mine. Looks real nice!

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Rodney Gene

The GIK acoustic canvas bass traps I use are extremely effective...truly a godsend.

...perhaps he uses a thinner type?

i can't argue with reality! i was thinking of the canvas typically used by artists to stretch and paint on, but hell, maybe that's not as thick as i think it is.

either way, one thing's for sure: canvas + acrylic paint = hard reflective surface.


gregoire
del ubik

[Rodney Gene]

Originally Posted by u b i k

either way, one thing's for sure: canvas + acrylic paint = hard reflective surface.


gregoire
del ubik

Agreed...

Paint = Bad = nobody likes you....

It is too bad really because a studio could have some bad-ass artwork while effectively controlling bass.
I have thought about dying the fabric but it just seems like a boatload of work.

[orange]

Originally Posted by Rodney Gene

Agreed...

Paint = Bad = nobody likes you....

It is too bad really because a studio could have some bad-ass artwork while effectively controlling bass.
I have thought about dying the fabric but it just seems like a boatload of work.

tie-dye

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Rodney Gene

Not here.

The GIK acoustic canvas bass traps I use are extremely effective...truly a godsend.

Glenn (who makes them) is also new regular here on Gearslutz...perhaps he uses a thinner type?

The low end in this room is completely under control. I have measured my listening position a lot this past couple of months as I switched from Mackies to JBLs as my main monitors.

In all honesty I am going to make some small frames for these to clean up thier appearance and to reduce some absorption.

Cheers.

Is this 2 thumps up Rodney? PM me your number. I would like to talk with you about something we are thinking about doing..

Glenn