Real Traps Set-Up Dilemna

[tizoc.s.estrada]

Hey guys. I'm a new gearslut and I have a question I want to ask all of you about a set-up for my bedroom studio. The room I use is 11'x10'x8' (I think that's the right order...) and I use it as both a mixing/recording room. I record mainly electric/classical guitar and voice. Nothing big like a drum set or anything.

I am not a professional recording engineer by any means. I will be recording music for the rest of my life yes, but I am not looking to have a state of the art recording facility. My goal is to one day turn my home studio into something that I could feel proud of; that although could use some improvements, is not necessary to make stellar recordings. Think... the mid to high end of the middle ground... if that makes any sense. Anything past that I believe would simply be unnecessary. Welcomed, but not necessary.

I recently bought (4) 2x4, 4" thick ATS panels (ATS Acoustic Panel 24x48x4) and they have peaked my interest in sound absorption. I've since scoured threads through many forums and have gained a bit of knowledge along the way (and was privileged to have come across Ethan Winer's Real Traps products).


I had originally typed out a number of different set-ups for you all to look through but after reading through it, I realized it came down to a simple question. I understand the importance of addressing first reflections, which I'd use the ATS panels for. And I also understand that small rooms have big bass problems. So, in addressing the bass problem...

If you could afford 12 Mega Traps ($3,000) and cover 3 of 4 corners from floor to ceiling, would you do it? Is it worth it? Or is it overkill given what I'm going for? (one corner has a door so maybe a Mondo on a stand would be in the 4th corner)?

I read that you can't really have enough bass absorption but... that's a lot of Mega Traps and a lot of money.

Or would it be smarter and perhaps more effective to use some combination of Mondo/Mini/Tri Corners and save a bit of money?

All advice is welcome.

[jhbrandt]

Tizoc,

Welcome to GS.

It totally depends on your budget. Get as much as you can afford. The RealTraps are very effective. If you are handy, you can DIY as well.

Your room is very small.

Imagine covering the entire ceiling with 4 inches of rock wool or fiberglass panels and 40% of all the walls - this should bring things under control... Yeah, you will need a good few of those bass traps.

Cheers,
John

[Jens Eklund]

Originally Posted by tizoc.s.estrada

I read that you can't really have enough bass absorption but... that's a lot of Mega Traps and a lot of money.

Or would it be smarter and perhaps more effective to use some combination of Mondo/Mini/Tri Corners and save a bit of money?

All advice is welcome.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/6507362-post2.html

[Glenn Kuras]

I will tell you what I tell our clients.
You should contact them by email with your room layout so they can help you with the best set up. Buying product not only gives you better performance, but when buying from a company like Ethan's you get a professional who will help you with the process. Take full advantage of that service.

[nickmoon]

I would build'em yourself. Go buy a couple cases of Rockwool 2" 8lb and double it up. Frames are super easy to build (pretty much a big picture frame without the glass). Then order whatever fabric you dig. Will cost you about half as much and you can customize it. Plus, a little wood working outdoors is a great way to get out of the studio for a bit.. dont forget your ear protection!!!

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by tizoc.s.estrada

If you could afford 12 Mega Traps ($3,000) and cover 3 of 4 corners from floor to ceiling, would you do it? Is it worth it? Or is it overkill given what I'm going for? (one corner has a door so maybe a Mondo on a stand would be in the 4th corner)?

That would not be overkill for a small room like yours. As others explained, you can DIY and save money. But as Glenn said, when you buy from a professional company you get products and you also get personal one-on-one advice. Some people are good at DIY, and don't mind spending time to do the research. Others just want a quick fix, and prefer to have someone tell them exactly what to do. Which you choose is up to you, and both approaches are good.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by tizoc.s.estrada

If you could afford 12 Mega Traps ($3,000) and cover 3 of 4 corners from floor to ceiling, would you do it? Is it worth it? Or is it overkill given what I'm going for? (one corner has a door so maybe a Mondo on a stand would be in the 4th corner)?

I read that you can't really have enough bass absorption but... that's a lot of Mega Traps and a lot of money.

Or would it be smarter and perhaps more effective to use some combination of Mondo/Mini/Tri Corners and save a bit of money?

All advice is welcome.

I would personally contact Real Traps and GIK Acoustics for advice. Also, for a very minimal fee Jeff Hedback, HdAcoustics Home, can take your room dimensions and recommend a sane approach based on your needs. If you're going to spend 3 k you can get more of a custom job than just throwing up a bunch of real traps (not that that wouldn't improve things).

I've worked with Jeff on my own room and am beginning a blog about it at http://www.rickkrizman.com/Site/Blog/Blog.html.

Good luck,

-R

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

If you're going to spend 3 k you can get more of a custom job than just throwing up a bunch of real traps (not that that wouldn't improve things).

My point above is that when people buy from us we give them specific advice for their room. This is very different from "throwing up" a bunch of panels. In fact, this is why RealTraps doesn't have a web store. We want to talk to everyone who buys from us, to be sure they're getting the right products for their budget and know where to put them.

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

My point above is that when people buy from us we give them specific advice for their room. This is very different from "throwing up" a bunch of panels. In fact, this is why RealTraps doesn't have a web store. We want to talk to everyone who buys from us, to be sure they're getting the right products for their budget and know where to put them.

--Ethan

Yes we do have a web store. Thanks for pointing that out. It is our way of giving the best dis-service to our customers. Sorry to anyone that ordered while we might be closed. REally I am sorry. lol

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

My point above is that when people buy from us we give them specific advice for their room. This is very different from "throwing up" a bunch of panels. In fact, this is why RealTraps doesn't have a web store. We want to talk to everyone who buys from us, to be sure they're getting the right products for their budget and know where to put them.

--Ethan

Well, "throwing up" a bunch of panels is what the op was planning to do.

Please reread my first sentence, where I recommended that they contact you and GIK. Also, fwiw, I bought a Portable Vocal Booth from you guys and was offered no advice when I called.

In spite of the fact that GIK is so impersonal as to have a web store, I nonetheless ordered about 25 panels from them. Many were custom modified for my needs and were part of a larger strategy outlined by an independent consultant.

I'm starting a photo diary here: Mixing/Tracking Room Rebuild, as well as at my website listed in my sig above.

-R

[tizoc.s.estrada]

Thank you everyone for your input! I know where to go from here.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Yes we do have a web store. Thanks for pointing that out. It is our way of giving the best dis-service to our customers. Sorry to anyone that ordered while we might be closed. REally I am sorry. lol

Geez Glenn, pretty touchy, eh? My post had nothing to do with you or your company. Almost everyone who sells acoustic treatment has a web store.

@ Rick Krizman: Jim knew it was you when you ordered, so he assumed you didn't need any advice.

Seriously, there's a big difference between buying a PVB and buying room treatment.

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Geez Glenn, pretty touchy, eh? My post had nothing to do with you or your company. Almost everyone who sells acoustic treatment has a web store.

Na just busting on you. You have the art of writing so when you want to say something it is clear. If you don't want to make it clear you are great at leading the horse to water and letting them make up there mind which water "it is".
BTW you know what they say in sales, "turn the negative as a possible and up sell it!!" lol lol
You rock!! thumbsup