Rockwool screen as mobile bass traps?

Discussion in 'Studio' started by Highdom, Mar 11, 2018.

  1. Highdom

    Highdom Kapellmeister

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    Hey,
    I am making my home studio. The room is large, big size. Testing audio, I realized I hear too much bass because even if walls are treated with acoustic panels (classic pyramidals, 6cm). So i decide to buy some bass traps to reduce basses frequencies, specially in the first reflections.

    But I can't append any heavy panel because (my mom will kill me if I do this ahah). Moreover, I have a big window near my first reflection and curtains.

    My idea: if a cover some screens with rockwool (and cover them with some canvas) and put them behind my speaker and in the first reflections, will I reduce basses as bass trap panels?
     
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  3. Von_Steyr

    Von_Steyr Guest

    Put two or three 100x50x10 behind your speakers and one or two at the first reflections. Also put one or two in each corner.
    Diffusers may be better for first reflections though.
    Rock wool is great for absorbing lower mids and bass.

    Acoustic treatment can be very scientific, measuring your room with a mic is desired, but even basic treatment can do a lot.
     
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  4. Highdom

    Highdom Kapellmeister

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    I think I haven't explained so clearly my idea...
    I'm going to to cover this structure (i don't know how to call in english) with rockwool...does it work as bass trap?
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Von_Steyr

    Von_Steyr Guest

    I see. Yea, having some air between the walls and you panels, an inch or two, is even better. It will work.
     
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  6. This is great stuff and an alternative to the soft foams that are still used today. I am going to soon get me some now that it is available in my country.

    Stratocell® Whisper® is a semi-rigid, closed-cell polyethylene sound-absorbing slab which represents a completely innovative solution in the field of acoustic correction. Stratocell® Whisper® is the ideal substitute for materials traditionally used for sound insulation as it is the only one to summarize in a single product the following characteristics:

    • Closed cell structure;
    • Patented drilling process for the highest sound absorption classification ever achieved before;
    • Resistant to water and humidity;
    • Self-supporting;
    • specific certifications for the various sectors of use:
      Building; Railway
      and
      rail industry
      Automotive
      Electronics
      Nautical
      Channeling and conditioning (absence of bacterial proliferation).

    These characteristics make Stratocell® Whisper® the ideal material for acoustic correction in building and industry. Its uses include: canteen halls, gymnasiums, classrooms, firing ranges, partitions, work areas, road barriers, air ducts, filtering systems, machine rooms, boats, compressors and generators, soundproof casings, engine compartments, cabins and much more. Stratocell® Whisper® is absolutely suitable for use in humid environments and in the presence of water, which do not alter its acoustic performance.

    Strengths
    • EXCELLENT ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES
    • MAINTENANCE of acoustic and mechanical properties over time
    • WASHABLE , does not require protective coating against moisture
    • ABSENCE of dusting and debris
    • MINOR use of material
    • FLEXIBLE, SELF-SUPPORTING
    • APPLICABLE TO VIEW
    • Easy to install with REDUCED MECHANICAL FIXINGS
    • EASY to work and shape
    • LOW WEIGHT
    • CERTIFIED according to increasingly demanding standards of reaction to fire, fumes, bacterial proliferation.

    Supply conditions
    Slabs (thickness 20, 25, 40, 50 mm) and rolls (thickness 20, 25 mm)
    in white , black , gray .
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. If one doesn't go the rockwool route I think that this is a no brainer as it is more efficent. Also, because it is self supporting can also be easily covered with fabric, and thus so the art of your choice if you don't like the black or the white that is standard. Stack two 50 mm slabs together and knock out more lows to tune custom your room. Possibly use the roll version and make thick, round bass traps, although I am not sure if in this case rockwool would be more economic.

    The moment that I came across this stuff I liked it and wondered why people in audio weren't using it. Maybe that will change.
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. tvandlover

    tvandlover Producer

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    Rockwool dust is an awful irritative when breathed in, far worse than fibreglass and I have workrd with both. It had me coughing within seconds admittedly only with a cheapo polystyrene mask. You would really need to have it sealed well......depending on the weave you use, the canvas you mention might not be enough.
     
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  9. EddieXx

    EddieXx Audiosexual

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    the textil you package it with should be pretty dense, ive seen people using plastic film to contain the particles. its still supposed to work sonically
     
  10. Sure, but traditionally bass traps are used at wall intersections. What you have, a portable wall would be great for isolation of instruments or as a way of keeping unwanted room reflections from coming back into the mic for a vocalist.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. dragonhill

    dragonhill Guest

    Looking at those hinges probably not.
     
  12. Highdom

    Highdom Kapellmeister

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    where i can buy this type of stuff?
     
  13. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

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    in case you go rockwool, make sure to thoroughly seal the stuff in multiple layers of plastic bags or so,
    for better low-freq dampening, do put those in frames where you leave some air area between 2 panels of rockwool, like this: || ||

    for the stratocell, I doubt it would be efficient for lows, found some measurement graph (5cm thickness panel), and it seems to work from 300Hz higher, which is useless imo:
    [​IMG]

    image source here:
    http://www.noisetek.fi/whisper.html
     
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  14. Adamdog

    Adamdog Platinum Record

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  15. I mentioned doubling up two 50mm panels. With the Stratocell, 100 x 50 sheets can be cut to make a pair of 100 x 25 x 10 for corners. I am not certain which frequency it extends down to as there are no graphs for this as of yet. I was also imagining using the thinner 30mm thick sheets and creating a cylinder that had a circumference of 50cm and so having approximately a 16 cm diameter. With the shape of a cylinder combined with the wall thickness of 50mm, I wonder how effective for low frequencies that might be. I realize that it would be hollow, but combined with the sound absorption and the shape of two of these in the corners of a room, I think there might be a possibility for a positive outcome.
     
  16. Moogerfooger

    Moogerfooger Audiosexual

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    Broadband traps possibly.. Bass traps, not so much
     
  17. bluerover

    bluerover Audiosexual

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    Not for bass, but for window, try THICK black-out curtain (...on both sides, even). Look on Amazon. I found this site too :

    Theatrical Acoustic Fabric "Magic" :
    https://www.rosebrand.com/product1210/32-oz-Magic-Velour-FR.aspx

    Acoustical report for above link (dampens down to 100hz ???? ) :
    https://www.rosebrand.com/downloads... in FR 32 oz. Magic 100percent Full Panel.pdf

    Amazon seller - Blackout curtains (get thickest waviest curtain possible):
    https://www.amazon.com/Best-Home-Fashion-Insulated-Blackout/dp/B078YXHCQ2?th=1

    You don't have to suspend corner traps. I've seen guys using cylindrical bass traps (instead of 24" x 48" panels) just propped-up vertically in the corner - does not address the upper corners though.
     
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  18. Von_Steyr

    Von_Steyr Guest

    As tzzsmk said, its not doing a lot if anything in the low region, in this regard its worse than many foam absorbers.
    For mids it seems to be great though.
     
  19. playtime

    playtime Rock Star

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    I ordered it to be custom made for myself. The guy who made it used rockwool, layer of another acoustic apsorber, air gap and fabric cotton.
    Works great and I can move it anyway I want.

    18835049_542118966128911_1935706516_n.jpg
     
  20. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

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  21. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    That's very good for 5cm thick panels! :wink: Double the panels and I'm sure they would be able to absorb the lower frequencies, too, like SuperLiquidSunshine said.
     
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