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#1911616 - 03/18/08 07:40 AM Corner Bass Traps Dilemma?
Can-2
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I have been researching room acoustics to better my newly built 900 sqft home studio / practice space. I started out of course with the expensive idea of Auralex foam panels, then saw the Foam by Mail option and read numerous posts in chatrooms about their fraudalent business. I've come to the conclusion that I am going to build my own acoustic panels and bass traps. (OC-703 or 705 2in., wood or metal frame) After researching throughout the internet universe, I have reached a dilemma. I read on Ethan's website the section on optimizing the air gap and want to place a trap in each of my four corners from floor to ceiling. I saw the method of placing the trap across the corner using an air gap behind the trap. I have also seen another method across the internet where you build a solid rigid fiberglass corner trap. I was wondering if this method would reduce the low frequency sound even more especially in the corner where I am placing drums. I am looking for a "deader" sounding corner where the drum placement will be. I want to know which will absorb more sound, the across the corner method, or the solid corner method. Here are some links to sites I have found using the solid corner method. Here is a site with a metal construction and solid corners as well. http://www.radford.edu/~shelm/acoustics/bass-traps.html
http://www.supernova-music.eu/extra/building_bass_trap/how_to_build_bass_trap_en.html

Here is a youtube video of one of the ways I am thinking of building my panels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyYUpkpL0gw
Any Help or suggestions and comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
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#1911749 - 03/18/08 12:00 PM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Can-2]
Ethan Winer Moderator
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Filling a corner completely is a little better than using a panel. But only a little better - maybe 20 percent more absorption for using more than twice as much material.

As for that YouTube video, it was posted by one of the other fraudulent people in my Fraud Report. This doesn't mean it's not a valid way to frame a bass trap. I just hate seeing that video get exposure here.

--Ethan
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www.realtraps.com
The acoustic treatment experts

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#1911888 - 03/18/08 04:31 PM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Ethan Winer]
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Thanks Ethan,
Just got my quote from SPI here locally in Dallas. http://www.spi-co.com/servicecenterdirectory.cfm?detail=34
At $2.00 a sqft. for 703 2in. I'm going to only go with the solid corner bass trap nearest the drums. Sorry for the youtube posting, didn't really pay attention to the creator of the video. I do remember reading about him and his slandering on your site.
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#1911919 - 03/18/08 05:52 PM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Ethan Winer]
Speaker Boy
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You could also build a wood corner wedge enclosure like this. http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewto...af4240bdcd0a424

My original plan was to build my corner wedge traps out of metal corner bead, but I found the metal was too flimsy. Also it is more difficult to attach the fabric tightly to a metal frame. IMO if you can't attach the fabric nice and tight--the traps look cheap.

The Corner wedge bass traps made out of wood cost me about $120 each. One made out of metal framing would cost $90 is you already have a rivet gun.

Also you can usually get 6pcf Rockwool for about 70cents per square foot.

Jeff

Edited by speaker_boy (03/18/08 05:54 PM)
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#1912221 - 03/19/08 06:43 AM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Speaker Boy]
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One last question if I may. I've seen all these plans for corner bass traping with panels going across the corner. How would I attach two rectangular 2'x 4' panels on top of each other to the wall? I have been going over the possibilities in my head and can't come up with a solid way to attach them as to have coverage from floor to ceiling. Should I just attach the two panels together and then lean it into the corner? I plan on making two 4" thick rigid giberglass panels with a 1"x2" wood frame backing. Suggestions?
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#1912942 - 03/20/08 06:45 AM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Can-2]
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Just picked up my mineral wool from SPI for 45 cents sqft., you were right on the pricing being much cheaper. Guy who sold it to me pulled out a sample of OC 703 & 705 and the Fibrex mineral wool they sell and they were almost identical. The density in the Mineral Wool he said was better, the 703 was 3 lbs. per sqft. and the mineral wool came in 4lbs per sqft. No smell difference or differences to the touch like some claim across the internet. He even cut a piece of each and showed me they cut the same. He did say the mineral wool would be itchier if it got on you, but to save big bucks it's worth it. The Owens Corning is basically the name brand stuff and Fibrex he said is a company out of Canada they use. Thanks for the money saving tip!
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#1913246 - 03/20/08 12:52 PM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Can-2]
Speaker Boy
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From talking to the guys from Fibrex it appears that Mineral wool is rated for peak density where-as 703 is rated at nominal density. He said that you need 6 pcf mineral wool to be equivalent to 703.

Usually you can just hang the panels from the wall in the corner. Here is a how to from real traps.
http://www.realtraps.com/install_mt.htm

There is a different technique to make your panels here.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-accoustic-panels-for-your-recording-studio-or/
Having wood on the sides allows you to attach the cloth much more securely. But you lose the surface area of the sides of the panels.
Ethan is there a noticable difference between the absorption of a panel framed in wood and a panel just wrapped in cloth?

Jeff

Or you could build a stand or use these stands.
http://www.realtraps.com/p_stand.htm

Edited by speaker_boy (03/25/08 12:59 PM)
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#1913597 - 03/21/08 08:31 AM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Speaker Boy]
Ethan Winer Moderator
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 Originally Posted By: speaker_boy
Ethan is there a noticable difference between the absorption of a panel framed in wood and a panel just wrapped in cloth?

Using a frame blocks the edges from also absorbing. With a 4-inch thick panel 2 by 4 feet, leaving the edges exposed adds another 50 percent of surface area.

--Ethan
_________________________
www.realtraps.com
The acoustic treatment experts

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#1914162 - 03/22/08 06:26 AM Re: Corner Bass Traps Dilemma? [Re: Ethan Winer]
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Thanks to both of you for the help. I went back to SPI here in Dallas yesterday and they allowed me to exchange my mineral wool bundles. They did not carry the 6 pcf, they only had the 4pcf that I returned and an 8pcf that I bought at 72cents sqft. I paid $30 more to upgrade my purchase. I'm gonna use wood to frame the backside of the mineral wool as not to cover the sides for maximum absorption. Thanks again for all the tips! I think I'm finally ready to build!
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