Window backed bass trap ~ will it work?

College_Records · 6th February 2012

If I have a 6x3 ft window at the back of my very small control room, could I make it a bass trap by placing 8" of 703 over a 2.25" airgap between the foam and the first pane.

The series goes: {8" 703/ 2.25" air gap/ .5" double paned window}

Pros and cons? Should I just put my montors on the side of the room with the window? I have a lot of 703 at my disposal.

Glenn Kuras · 6th February 2012

The cons would be that windows let some of the low end pass so in some ways is a "bass trap" (well kind of). It would still help having 8" in front of it but it might not be the best place to have trapping. No way to tell unless you test the room.

jhbrandt · 6th February 2012

Yes, especially if the room is small a hole to let the LF waves escape is good. However it is bad for the isolation. As long as the bass that is escaping does not cause any problems for neighbors... also note; what the window allows to pass in one direction it also allows to pass in the other direction. And you may get unwanted bass from cars passing with their boom-boxes thumping, trucks rumbling, airplanes passing, etc.

Often misunderstood: You want modes. You need the reflections to be even at all frequencies, but you want them damped - hence treatment. If you want to get rid of all reflections, go set up in a field on a calm day and mix there. - no reflections!

More info on my publications page. Good advice from Glenn - take some measurements... and read up on the articles at GIK and also the articles at RealTraps.

To answer your question, yes it will help with the bass & the 703 will help in blocking sounds coming and going - from about 1kHz and up. A window at your back is not a good thing, but a bass trap is.

Can you post a drawing of your room with dimensions? H - W - D
Cheers,
John

College_Records · 7th February 2012

I have posted a new thread with the dimensions of my room asking for help/advice on how to deal with my limited space. You can find it here:

Small mix room of death. HELP!!!

6th February 2012	#1
College_Records Gear Head Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Duluth MN Posts: 57 Thread Starter	Window backed bass trap ~ will it work? If I have a 6x3 ft window at the back of my very small control room, could I make it a bass trap by placing 8" of 703 over a 2.25" airgap between the foam and the first pane. The series goes: {8" 703/ 2.25" air gap/ .5" double paned window} Pros and cons? Should I just put my montors on the side of the room with the window? I have a lot of 703 at my disposal.

6th February 2012	#2
Glenn Kuras Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 12,007	The cons would be that windows let some of the low end pass so in some ways is a "bass trap" (well kind of). It would still help having 8" in front of it but it might not be the best place to have trapping. No way to tell unless you test the room. __________________ Glenn Kuras GIK Acoustics USA GIK Acoustics Europe 770 986 2789 (USA) +44 (0) 20 7558 8976 (UK) See the NEW Scopus Tuned Trap

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6th February 2012	#3
jhbrandt Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Posts: 2,715	Yes, especially if the room is small a hole to let the LF waves escape is good. However it is bad for the isolation. As long as the bass that is escaping does not cause any problems for neighbors... also note; what the window allows to pass in one direction it also allows to pass in the other direction. And you may get unwanted bass from cars passing with their boom-boxes thumping, trucks rumbling, airplanes passing, etc. Often misunderstood: You want modes. You need the reflections to be even at all frequencies, but you want them damped - hence treatment. If you want to get rid of all reflections, go set up in a field on a calm day and mix there. - no reflections! More info on my publications page. Good advice from Glenn - take some measurements... and read up on the articles at GIK and also the articles at RealTraps. To answer your question, yes it will help with the bass & the 703 will help in blocking sounds coming and going - from about 1kHz and up. A window at your back is not a good thing, but a bass trap is. Can you post a drawing of your room with dimensions? H - W - D Cheers, John

7th February 2012	#4
College_Records Gear Head Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Duluth MN Posts: 57 Thread Starter	I have posted a new thread with the dimensions of my room asking for help/advice on how to deal with my limited space. You can find it here: Small mix room of death. HELP!!!