Absorption in small room

[hisbluness]

Hey there,

Im finally converting my spare room (see: Convert spare room for mixing - worth it?) and I got a question:

As mentioned in so many threads, too much absorption in a small room might result in a somewhat dull sounding room, mostly due to too much high frequency and not enough bass absorption. To avoid this, Ethan suggests on his FAQ to add small parts of reflective surfaces on some of the absorption panels to sort of recover some of the high frequencies.

I get that and I think this might be very important for my room (it has carpet as well). My question is: How much of this should be added and on which traps will this be the most efficient? And how should these reflective panels be placed? Is there a pattern or can they be random?

Currently I thought about adding reflective areas on the absorbers on the back wall and maybe one the ceiling but im really clueless.

Any tips for this?

Thanks for any help

chris

[matt thomas]

I wouldn't put any reflective layers where there is a first reflection point. (ie. do NOT put reflection where you would be able to see the speakers if a mirror was there)

Otherwise pretty much anywhere you feel like it

You should do some room measurement with some software and a suitable mic to get an objective idea of what is going on

narco

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by hisbluness

I thought about adding reflective areas on the absorbers on the back wall and maybe one the ceiling

If the back wall is closer than 10 feet I'd leave it fully absorbent. If you want to add some reflection, do it only on traps in the corners.

--Ethan

[hisbluness]

Okay thanks so far.

Ethan: The backwall is 12.5 foot away from the front wall. So that would allow some reflective areas? Or is the 10 foot you mentioned measured from the speaker position?

I already got everything to measure the room, so that wont be a problem, Im just planning right now and thats why im asking. Gotta order some wood so I thought its good to know what I will probably need.

And it makes perfect sense not to have reflective areas on the 1st reflection point.

Still, what about the "pattern"? Just add some strips of wood in different widths and thats it?

What about the ceiling? Is it wise to have reflection from there as well or should I stick to the corners and maybe the backwall?

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by hisbluness

Or is the 10 foot you mentioned measured from the speaker position?

No, the distance is as measured from your ears. Even at 12+ feet I'd still have a mix of reflective and absorbent surfaces.

Just add some strips of wood in different widths and thats it?

Wood reflects to too low a frequency unless it's 1/32-inch veneer etc.

What about the ceiling?

Same as anywhere else. Not at reflection areas.

--Ethan

[hisbluness]

Measured from the ear/mix position the back wall is way less then 10 foot away so Ill keep it fully absorbent.

I would have used very thin wood as my reflective material so I will add these to the corners and some point on the ceiling which is not the 1st reflection point.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again

[Weasel9992]

Nah...Ethan's got it all nailed. This is a pretty small room, so your options are somewhat limited in terms of treatment. You'll be good if you follow his advice.

Frank