Acoustic Foam Usage

[pezking]

I was lucky enough to be given some free acoustic foam.

It's sound deadening foam, and was originally purchased to be used to create a "soundproof" enclosure for a small generator. Essentially to keep the sound in.

Now I want to use it to create some kind of absorbers for my studio. I was thinking along the lines of something portable (as my live room doubles as my dining room!) which would also mean I could use them at mix down.

Now I know a bit about acoustics, so I know that the absorbtion qualities of the foam will be mostly limited to the upper frequency bands. I can't really afford to spend money on any rockwool (unfortunately).

Can anyone suggest a decent way to put the foam to use? I am very competent with wood working.

Oh yeah, the foam is maybe 2.5m x 1.25m

Thanks

 

[pandamonk]

I was lucky enough to be given some free acoustic foam.

It's sound deadening foam, and was originally purchased to be used to create a "soundproof" enclosure for a small generator. Essentially to keep the sound in.

Now I want to use it to create some kind of absorbers for my studio. I was thinking along the lines of something portable (as my live room doubles as my dining room!) which would also mean I could use them at mix down.

Now I know a bit about acoustics, so I know that the absorbtion qualities of the foam will be mostly limited to the upper frequency bands. I can't really afford to spend money on any rockwool (unfortunately).

Can anyone suggest a decent way to put the foam to use? I am very competent with wood working.

Oh yeah, the foam is maybe 2.5m x 1.25m

Thanks

How much foam you got? You could double or triple the thickness, frame it and wrap it all in fabric like you would with rigid fiberglass. Otherwise, you could half one of the sheets, and place these in the side first reflection points, a full one on the ceiling, and a couple on the back wall. Then all you need to worry about is the bass, and I'm sure you could afford enough rigid fiberglass/703/rockwool for 4 bass traps. I could buy enough for everything but the back wall(4 bass, 2 side[2'x2'], and 1 ceiling) for £27($50) here in the UK. These could be easily moved, either build stands, or place them directly on the ground(a bit low), apart from the 2'x2', which could be placed on something, like shelves if you've got them, or hung like a picture.

 

[pezking]

Where did you get the rockwool? £27 sounds like a bargain. I'm in the UK too by the way. If I can get a similar deal, it sounds like it's too good to refuse!

I only have one sheet! I know it's not a lot, and won't improve the acoustics a whole lot - it's just been sat around for months waiting for me to come up with something to do with it!

 

[danny.guitar]

Where did you get the rockwool? £27 sounds like a bargain. I'm in the UK too by the way. If I can get a similar deal, it sounds like it's too good to refuse!

I only have one sheet! I know it's not a lot, and won't improve the acoustics a whole lot - it's just been sat around for months waiting for me to come up with something to do with it!

Not sure you'll get much out of 1 sheet. How big is it?

One thing you can do. While tracking, put it on one of the nearest walls to the mics. If it's a big sheet, cut it into smaller, even sheets. Put the sheets together for more thickness. Maybe attach a piece of plywood on the back and use it as a gobo. Put it between 2 mics in the live room. One side will reflect the other will absorb, helps to separate the mics.

Like I said, you probably won't get much out of one sheet, especially if it's not big.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Where did you get the rockwool? £27 sounds like a bargain. I'm in the UK too by the way. If I can get a similar deal, it sounds like it's too good to refuse!

I only have one sheet! I know it's not a lot, and won't improve the acoustics a whole lot - it's just been sat around for months waiting for me to come up with something to do with it!

I asked the exact same question a day or so ago.

Travis perkins sells a rigid fibreglass called rocksilk.

 

[pezking]

Travis perkins sells a rigid fibreglass called rocksilk.

There are a few types there. The two which look most suitable are "Universal" and "Flexible". I'm guessing I want "Universal"?

They stock densities of 33, 45 and 60 kg/m3 in thicknesses of 50, 75 and 100mm and also 60mm in the 60kg/m3.

All of them are 1200 x 600mm. Any suggestions on which I should get?

Obviously thicker and denser is going to be able to absorb a lower frequency than thinner and less dense but to what extent? As the densities and thicknesses decrease; the number of supplied slabs increases...

Also any suggestions on how to make stands? I can hang a couple on picture hooks (in the live room anyway) but i want a couple on stands to make a small enclosure almost, for cabs and vocals.

 

[pandamonk]

There are a few types there. The two which look most suitable are "Universal" and "Flexible". I'm guessing I want "Universal"?

They stock densities of 33, 45 and 60 kg/m3 in thicknesses of 50, 75 and 100mm and also 60mm in the 60kg/m3.

All of them are 1200 x 600mm. Any suggestions on which I should get?

Obviously thicker and denser is going to be able to absorb a lower frequency than thinner and less dense but to what extent? As the densities and thicknesses decrease; the number of supplied slabs increases...

Also any suggestions on how to make stands? I can hang a couple on picture hooks (in the live room anyway) but i want a couple on stands to make a small enclosure almost, for cabs and vocals.

I think what you want is UNIVERSAL SLAB RS45 50MM X 1200MM (600MM) 7.20M2 PER PACK 2361386 (221587) £27.23 PK

 

[pandamonk]

Where did you get the rockwool? £27 sounds like a bargain. I'm in the UK too by the way. If I can get a similar deal, it sounds like it's too good to refuse!

I only have one sheet! I know it's not a lot, and won't improve the acoustics a whole lot - it's just been sat around for months waiting for me to come up with something to do with it!

Use it on your back wall, probably horizontally if it fits, have 4" rocksilk in the corners, 2'x2'x2" in first side reflection points and 4'x2'x2" as a cloud on the ceiling first reflection point. Fabric I've found to be quite expensive, but check out ebay. I got 150m of good quality fabric(over-did it a little)of different colours(red, blue, black denim, and cream) from here. I think it worked out at a little over £1 per metre. Then just frames of the cheapest wood you can find, probably pine.

 

[pandamonk]

There are a few types there. The two which look most suitable are "Universal" and "Flexible". I'm guessing I want "Universal"?

They stock densities of 33, 45 and 60 kg/m3 in thicknesses of 50, 75 and 100mm and also 60mm in the 60kg/m3.

All of them are 1200 x 600mm. Any suggestions on which I should get?

Obviously thicker and denser is going to be able to absorb a lower frequency than thinner and less dense but to what extent? As the densities and thicknesses decrease; the number of supplied slabs increases...

Also any suggestions on how to make stands? I can hang a couple on picture hooks (in the live room anyway) but i want a couple on stands to make a small enclosure almost, for cabs and vocals.

I'm trying to work out how to make stands myself. But mainly because I've got an unusual design. With a frame all round the insulation, you could just screw feet on the bottom. I don't know what else to suggest really... except have a go designing your own stands...