Sound Absorption/Diffusion/Etc..

[djglenn]

I've always done the best I can when it comes to sound absorption, diffusion, sound-proofing, etc... Recently, I had to buy some of that 'egg-carton foam' for something unrelated. I bought it directly from the manufacturer here in Taiwan, and being as cheap as it is, they would only sell by the roll. In the end I had a some left over and thought, what they hell, I'll put it up on my wall until I can get something more suitable...I mean, it couldn't hurt, that's for sure.

Long story short, I'm kind of surprised at how well it works. I can actually hear the difference; and I'm only using 2 sheets of about 4x3 feet. So I'm wondering....


- What do you guys use to deaden the sound in your studios?

- What do you think about using the egg-carton foam versus other materials?

For me, cash is always a major issue. I'll pay good money for something if I can see that it's worth it. Like, I'll shell out the money for a decent computer that can handle the rigors of "VST abuse". I'll pay for a proper pair of monitors (granted, budget monitors, but still monitors). I'll get the decent soundcard....and all because it's necessary. But I've been wondering for sound-deadening, do I really need to go out and buy the higher-priced solutions out there? Out here there's not much to choose from. There's an Auralex dealer near me and I've been considering to shell out the cash for it. But in the end, I'm wondering if it's really worth it. Will I see a noticeable difference using auralex versus covering the room with the egg-carton foam? Granted, the foam is kind of ugly, but I'm not at a stage where I really care about that. Now I'm thinking maybe the egg-foam won't cover all aspects of sound absorption/diffusion, for example, I may need to get some bass traps.

Ok, just curious about what you guys are using and how it's working for you; what you would and wouldn't recommend; and your feelings about the egg-foam.

(I've also been looking into Owens Corning 703, but not sure if that would be practical in a smaller room)

Glenn

[przechuy]

All my work is based on headphones.I live in a flat,not home,and with monitor speakers "booming" almost all day or evening long i would have "LAPD" knocking to my doors every 15 minutes




btw

Experts say Egg cartons are not very good as sound proofing devices but this is still one of the most common ways to reuse them. Shown above is journalist Abdourahmane Toure in a studio lined with egg cartons to improve sound quality at Radio Pindjiguiti in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. It might not work so well but admit it looks pretty cool.

and a topic about your quesiton i found

http://www.audioforums.com/forums/archiv...10182.html




and more "pro" sounding article

Why Egg Cartons Aren?t Enough to Sound Proof Your Studio

Link to this page
Why Egg Cartons Aren?t Enough to Sound Proof Your Studio

If you?ve been to a small rehearsal studio or a friend?s rehearsal basement, you?ve probably noticed a portion of the room (most probably the ceiling) is covered with egg cartons Unsure whether or not you?ve entered a practice space or a shady egg-packing operation, you ask the owner what that?s all about, wherein he says that the egg cartons serve as soundproofing by absorbing the sound because of its unique shape
If you?ve been to a small rehearsal studio or a friend?s rehearsal basement, you?ve probably noticed a portion of the room (most probably the ceiling) is covered with egg cartons. Unsure whether or not you?ve entered a practice space or a shady egg-packing operation, you ask the owner what that?s all about, wherein he says that the egg cartons serve as soundproofing by absorbing the sound because of its unique shape. Somehow, you find yourself having a hard time believing him as you walk out of the studio after practice with a really bad case of tinnitus.

Egg cartons for soundproofing is perhaps one of the most popular myths about acoustics. Whether or not this belief was founded by experts or DIY enthusiasts let me break this myth by telling you that egg cartons do absolutely nothing for soundproofing. This should be obvious to you when you have a friend scream directly at your ear with only an egg tray in between the two of you.

In the realm of acoustics, there are different frequencies of sound that interact in a variety of ways with the environment around them. High frequency sound waves, like the sound of a high pitched shriek or your irritating Epson LX-300 dot matrix printer, are easily absorbed by layers of porous material such as cloth, fiberglass and carpets.

Low frequency sound, such as those heard at hip-hop/dance clubs, bass guitars and kick drums aren?t easily as absorbed (an explanation why you hear only the bass when you?re in the vicinity of a club or a car with subwoofers passes by with their windows up).

These types of frequencies can be absorbed by structures that have a higher density and mass, such as concrete walls and increasingly thick layers of fiberglass. While an egg carton may absorb some high frequencies, it won?t stop any low frequencies from passing through it, and is therefore a poor choice for sound proofing. Egg cartons can be used for sound treatment, though, as a poor-man?s diffuser.

By its very definition, sound proofing is the inhibition of sound from escaping a given space in which it is allowed to propagate. If even the slightest measure of sound is heard out of a ?sound proofed? area, that area is no longer considered sound proof.

Sound treatment, on the other hand, is the manipulation of a room?s response to frequencies to create a sonically balanced and favorable listening/performance area. Sound treatment can be achieved through absorption, reflection and diffusion (egg cartons may fall into this category).

If you?re helping someone setup a rehearsal studio or are making one at your own home, skip the egg carton myth and look for more effective means of treating your space. Creating a sound proof room may be beyond most budgetary capability of hobbyists (it?s essentially creating a room within a room), but acoustic sound treatment can be had at a reasonable cost.

You have the option to buy ready made absorbers and diffusers online or at acoustic expert shops, or you can simply make your own by following the many plans available on the internet: all it takes is a printer, some handyman work and a trip to the nearest Home Depot.

Emics is a leading laboratory providing calibration and Inspection services

[djglenn]

Not actual egg cartons but the foam padding that looks like egg cartons. I believe some people use similar types of foam to put on their beds to make it more comfortable. I'll see if I can find a picture.

[djglenn]

Minus the rifle of course....




I guess maybe "convoluted foam" would have been a better word to use.

[Rambunkcious]

Glenn,


Hi, real quick question, are you insulating & diffusing for the sound quality in the room or to restrict the sound from getting out and bothering the neighbors?

If neighbors arent an issue, then insulation shouldnt be a concern, as it can truly get expensive and complicated to insulate properly plus theres so many options to insulate which makes it even more of a task. Diffusion on the other hand can be achieved with regular household objects and will literally cost nothing.

[djglenn]

Not worried about sound getting out; have more or less taken care of that problem. Main thing is, to try and get the room as dead as possible. So yeah, just for the sound quality in the room. The room is completely concrete on 3 sides (minus door) and the 4th side is almost entirely sliding glass windows. I've got thick drapes in front of the windows, which helps tremendously. Got a nice couch against one wall which works great. The wall behind it is actually carpeted, but I don't feel that helps much. As much as I don't care what the room looks like, I don't wanna go the "hanging thick blankets on the wall" route. So was thinking to get "whatever brand" of semi-expensive stuff to treat the room, or just stick with the egg-foam stuff. (I can coat the whole room for around $30USD I'm guessing.) but to go with the Auralex, I'm probably looking at $300 minimum over here.

Again, if it's REALLY worth it, I'll pay. Otherwise, I'd just assume save it for some nice synth or something.

[Rambunkcious]

Ya i work in a similar environment, four concrete walls one with a door (basically a square which is the worst to work with). After having tried numerous set ups, repositioning the workstation, egg foam type insulation has been tried in some cases, this went on for about 2 years until i was comfortable with the the sound. In the end it really came down to using none of that.

The wall i have the computer on has a desk about 2 feet away from the wall, this is less about sound and more about being able to get back there and mess with the wires, I used to have it right up against the wall in the past, however with the monitoring technique i utilize I doubt it makes a difference whether its up against the wall or not. Directly behind me theres a 4-5 foot wide shelf that is a little under 6 feet, some shelfs have records, some have books, some are empty. The two walls to my side have either shelfs that will go all the way upto the ceiling or only two feet of the ground, thus leaving parts of those two walls plain and bare (bad for sound - yet again not a problem). I have however ensured that my taller structures are closer to the monitoring position on the side walls and any plain and bare areas are behind the monitoring position, this helps with the sound reflections that bothered me the most in the monitoring position.

When monitoring, my speakers sit about 2-3 feet apart (closer to 2) and about 2 feet from my head, and are at head level (if your head is below the speaker level youll get too much bass and the hi's wont be represented accurately, if its above youll get an increase in the high freq and end up mixing wrong)

So really in the end it was about the side reflections that are directly adjacent to the monitoring position, as being in the described monitoring position wouldnt allow for any other reflections to interfere with the sound. As well as proper speaker placement, where they are far enough apart to give you a good stereo image, however negate any phasing and muffling from being too close, and literally immersing your head in that position.

If you could do with household items, Id def save the money for a new synth or other piece of studio equipment, on the other hand if it is neccesary to diffuse with the egg foam, id go with the cheaper stuff since its already making a noticable difference.

Hope that all helps, would be happy to answer any other ques.