Percent of Diffusion

How to use REW, What is a Bass Trap, a diffuser, the speed of sound, etc.

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Riad
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Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:49 am
Location: New York, NY
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Percent of Diffusion

Post by Riad »

I'm ready to start working on my Live room. I will have a drum kit in this room and I'm curious to know if there is a general rule of thumb of the precentage a room should be absorbed, diffused?

Thanks all,
Rob
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Jim B
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:07 am
Location: Maryland, USA

Re: Percent of Diffusion

Post by Jim B »

Riad wrote:I'm ready to start working on my Live room. I will have a drum kit in this room and I'm curious to know if there is a general rule of thumb of the precentage a room should be absorbed, diffused?

Thanks all,
Rob
The only rule of thumb that I am aware of for diffusion is that you place it where it is needed. There are places where it is NOT needed...typically below 3 feet and above 8 feet on a wall. It would be a good idea to place it where absorption is not on a parallel surface. I prefer to use diffusion on the rear wall and on the ceiling behind the listening position (control room).

Absorption is used to lower reverb times and control room modes. Typically begin treating the front corners of the room and at least a third of the ceiling. It depends on how "live" you want the room to sound. I prefer a lively sounding room for drums for the option of distance miking.

As an option, it would be nice to have one wall with a 4 X 8 array of diffusors and diffusion on the ceiling in that area. And of course it is nice to have the option of a deader sounding section with a shorter reverb time (more absorption).

A GoBo can be used to divide the two sections if needed...

You treat the room until it sounds good. No slap back or flutter echo. No ringing or bottom end mud...Passes the clap test and the annoying frequency test.

Rule of thumb...only add what you need until it sounds good.
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Riad
Posts: 80
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:49 am
Location: New York, NY
Contact:
Contact Riad

Post by Riad »

Jim,

Thanks for the response... you have confirmed what I believed to be true so that's good... no suprises.

I'm starting construction tomorrow and I will more than likely be experimenting to see what works best.

Thanks again, I'll post pics when I'm finished.

Regards,
Robert

Jim, BTW here are some pics of the studio so far... http://www.pbase.com/riadanza/studio
The finished gallery has the latest. Thanks again.
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