Ethan:

OK, Now I think I am in the right forum now! Thanks for the re-direct!


I have a couple of questions regarding the design of the Deep-Bass and High-Bass Traps based on the plans from your website:

1.) Can the front surface of these traps also be covered with fabric? I am assuming that the sealing process might be compromised somewhat limiting the bass absorption?

2.) If a solid plywood surface is desirable on High/Deep Traps, then is it OK to finish out the wood with stain and lacquer for a more aesthetic appeal?

3.) Have you any experience with the Knauf brand equivalents for the Owens Corning 703/705 products? (I have a supplier here in Texas that offers this much cheaper than the OC.)

I have a small home based project studio and one of my recent recordings revealed my obvious lack of room treatment. I mainly record vocals, acoustic guitars and MIDI voices and my primary instrument is the classical guitar. Currently, the room is very small (11.25' X 11' X 8') and I have some sound insulation and isolation issues to address. In my old house, I used foam to cover the walls and ceiling, but from reading all of your published articles and docs, I can see the fiberglass route is the best approach. Since I am an experienced woodworker and carpenter, I am looking forward to building some attractive and hopefully effective traps.

Your website has been a true blessing! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and your dedication to music and acoustics. My wife gives me a hard enough time for all of the music equipment that I buy so I find this information very inspiring in light of the cost savings of fabricating these traps! Thank you so much for your efforts in publishing and documenting this information!

-Mark Lewellen
Mesquite, Texas

Hi Mark.

Welcome to the forum.

If you want to cover them in cloth, you'll want to have an edge around the perimeter to keep the cloth away from the wood face. Anything that touches the panel diminishes it's effectiveness.

Or, as you surmised, you could stain them instead.

The Knauf will work fine instead of OC provided you use the same thickness and density.

I might suggest though that you investigate using some thick fiberglass with a scrim facing instead of the panel traps. You'll need quite a bit of broadband bass control in that space - not sure you have the luxury of enough wood panels to be effective.

Bryan