Is there an optimum RT60 for my room?

[VTgreen81]

My room is approx. 18 x 14. This is all the space I have so I'll be tracking and mixing in the same room. I'll be recording live drums, guitar and bass will go in via DI, then guitar and VOX will be overdubbed. Acording to the calculator I used the RT60 of the room is .44@ 125Hz, 1.07@ 250Hz, 1.32 @ 500Hz, .79 @ 1kHz, .48 @ 2kHz, .43@ 4kHz.

After adding drapes, everything above 500Hz drops, but the lows increase.
We currently use this as rehearal space, and perhaps these numbers indicate why all the guitarist and I can hear is bass, but the bassist complains he can't hear himself!!

Are there particular numbers I should shoot for at each freq.?

[c7sus]

Ideally you want them all to be fairly close, and under a half-second.

Do some treatment to tame the 250-500Hz range and you should hear a noticeable improvement.

http://johnlsayers.com/index.html

[VTgreen81]

Thanks, would four of Mr. Sayers coner slot resonators and two side wall absorbers do the trick or would that be overkill in such a small space?

[c7sus]

That would be a sweet setup indeed.

You can save a few bucks substituting Rockwool for Rigid Fiberglass Soundboard.

2" Knauf RFS runs about $1.25/SQUARE FOOT. You can stack it to get 4" thickness if needed.

You might also ask this question on John's Forum to get some other ideas that may be cheaper than the cabinet stuff, and still reach the RT60 you're looking for.

Good luck!

[VTgreen81]

what about the ceiling? I'm guessing diffusers of various size and shape. What about hanging baffles? NO that won't work in a room with an eight foot ceiling and a 6'4" guitarist. "*ouch,* #%$@&*% now I 've a headache and can't play!"

[c7sus]

If the baffles are 12" tall and hung directly off hooks in the ceiling that shouldn't be a problem.