Bass trapping and my home studio space, need help please.

TheBigLongy · 17th March 2009

Hi, I was wondering if you knowledgable folk here could suggest where should put bass trapping and advising me on the best way to do this DIY.
Our guitarist has just been up to do some recording and I mentioned that I was thinking about installing some bass traps to get the room a little tighter on the low end and really flatten the response out as much as possible.

Having already seen some amazing threads and diarys on here, i knew that it would be worth asking, even if i only get a few responses....any information very welcome :D

Anyhows, back to my room.
I've done a quick mockup in paint, sorry for the crap paintshop skills.

My room is

W 11'3" x L 9'11" x H 7'6"

Unfortunately the mixing position has to stay as it is due to the door to the left and the door behind also being in use (this is a room in my house remember lol) Thankfully any recording of drums is done at another venue.

I do have a few chairs in the room also but they are just like kitchen chairs.

Any information on bass trapping this room would be great.

My idea was to put 3 4' x 3' x 6" bass traps on the wall behind my mixing console, then 2 of the same size on the back wall. The window is covered with a heavy curtain.

Is there anything else i could do to help get it nice n flat?

Thanks for listening to me babbling on.
Chris.

(Edit)
I have a Rode NT2 mic, would this be ok to use for measuring the room?
What sort of volume should I playing the Ethan Winer Sonar file back at?

Ethan Winer · 18th March 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigLongy

Unfortunately the mixing position has to stay as it is due to the door to the left

You can force symmetry with absorbers left and right, but moving left a bit is the best option. Is it the end of the world to have to squeeze by your left speaker when you enter the room?

Quote:

Any information on bass trapping this room would be great.

Corners. Corners. Corners. As many of the room's 12 corners as possible.

Quote:

I have a Rode NT2 mic, would this be ok to use for measuring the room?

No, you need a small omni microphone. More here:

Comparison of Ten Measuring Microphones

Quote:

What sort of volume should I playing the Ethan Winer Sonar file back at?

Loud enough that even deep nulls register. 85 dB SPL is good.

--Ethan

Weasel9992 · 18th March 2009

Yes sir...more bass trapping is the answer. That's a small room and you're jammed up into the corner, so you'll need a good bit. Personally I wouldn't put a single panel under 4" in that room...6" is great for the front and back walls. Ethan also correctly emphasized the corners.

Frank

TheBigLongy · 18th March 2009

I will definately be looking into atleast 6 x 4' by 3' 6" traps.

Was also thinking of mounting one at an angle above/behind my mixing desk. Also on the back wall.

To sort out the other corners, would small 1ft triangular totally filled and fixed units be better than building some 2ft x 4ft panels and mounting them at an angle from the ceiling?

The main problem with this room is that it is not just my studio, i also have a lot of vinyl tucked away in the one gap bottom right side of the plan.

Would it be worth building freestanding 4" or 6" thick panels at about 5ft to sit behind my mix position?

Here is an update pic of my room. As i mentioned, this is not to scale but is as close to proportions as i could muster with my crap paint skills lol.

I was thinking of putting 2 4ftx3ft 6" panels on the next door wall, with 2 smaller 2ftx4ft 4" panels at an angle to cover the ceiling corner.
The same thing on the hallway wall and some 2ftx4ft 4" to cover the ceiling above the window.

Weasel9992 · 19th March 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigLongy

Was also thinking of mounting one at an angle above/behind my mixing desk. Also on the back wall.

To sort out the other corners, would small 1ft triangular totally filled and fixed units be better than building some 2ft x 4ft panels and mounting them at an angle from the ceiling?

Straddle the wall/ceiling corners rather than building 1' corner traps..they won't be all that effective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigLongy

Would it be worth building freestanding 4" or 6" thick panels at about 5ft to sit behind my mix position?

If you're going to build those panels then they have to be spaced a small distance (inches) from a hard boundary surface like a wall, otherwise they don't work. The further you space them off a wall, the less effective they become.

Frank

TheBigLongy · 21st March 2009

Ahh ritey, ok.

Thanks for the info :D will update as things start to move on :D
I have an ECM8000 on its way so i can get some measurements before, during and after putting up the panels.

Cheers Again
Chris.

17th March 2009	#1
TheBigLongy Gear Head Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 53 Thread Starter	Bass trapping and my home studio space, need help please. Hi, I was wondering if you knowledgable folk here could suggest where should put bass trapping and advising me on the best way to do this DIY. Our guitarist has just been up to do some recording and I mentioned that I was thinking about installing some bass traps to get the room a little tighter on the low end and really flatten the response out as much as possible. Having already seen some amazing threads and diarys on here, i knew that it would be worth asking, even if i only get a few responses....any information very welcome :D Anyhows, back to my room. I've done a quick mockup in paint, sorry for the crap paintshop skills. My room is W 11'3" x L 9'11" x H 7'6" Unfortunately the mixing position has to stay as it is due to the door to the left and the door behind also being in use (this is a room in my house remember lol) Thankfully any recording of drums is done at another venue. I do have a few chairs in the room also but they are just like kitchen chairs. Any information on bass trapping this room would be great. My idea was to put 3 4' x 3' x 6" bass traps on the wall behind my mixing console, then 2 of the same size on the back wall. The window is covered with a heavy curtain. Is there anything else i could do to help get it nice n flat? Thanks for listening to me babbling on. Chris. (Edit) I have a Rode NT2 mic, would this be ok to use for measuring the room? What sort of volume should I playing the Ethan Winer Sonar file back at?

18th March 2009	#3
Weasel9992 Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 4,339	Yes sir...more bass trapping is the answer. That's a small room and you're jammed up into the corner, so you'll need a good bit. Personally I wouldn't put a single panel under 4" in that room...6" is great for the front and back walls. Ethan also correctly emphasized the corners. Frank __________________ Frank

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21st March 2009	#6
TheBigLongy Gear Head Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 53 Thread Starter	Ahh ritey, ok. Thanks for the info :D will update as things start to move on :D I have an ECM8000 on its way so i can get some measurements before, during and after putting up the panels. Cheers Again Chris.