John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Hi,
Ive been browsing this site for a few months now. And as most of you probably already know, I am just finishing up on building my first recording studio.

I noticed that some of the experts here have different ideas about how to do/build different parts of a studio. (especially acoustic panels i.e absorbers/ diffusors/ etc...)

After doing my initial research, i decided to go w/ SAE's design because my rooms are small. But after doing more research, I found out about "bass traps" which arent even mentioned in the SAE design as well as other ideas & methods to 'treat' a room.

Being a novice on a tight budget, I found this a little frustrating. My business partner (who is also funding the project) just laughs at me when i talk about building acoustic panels for the studio...because ive changed my mind so many times after getting more & more & more info.

Dont get me wrong, i really appreciate all the advice ive been given. If i didnt find this site, i would have stuck Auralex foam on the walls & called it a day! But i guess (as they say) "there is more than one way to skin a cat"

Just wanted to rant a little about that.

Just tell me to shut up...its OK!



Peace,

Blackdrum

I don't if this will help you sort the wheat from the chaff, but here are some fundamental principles about panel and slot absorbers to always keep in mind:

Panel absorbers-
The resonant frequency decreases with increasing panel mass and increasing cavity depth. The absorption efficiency decreases with increasing panel mass and decreasing cavity depth. So, a resonator with a very heavy panel and a small cavity will be very ineffective at absorbing sound. A resonator with a very light panel and a very deep cavity, on the other hand, will be very effective at absorbing sound.

Slot Resonators-
The resonant frequency decreases with increasing slat thickness, increasing slat width, decreasing slot width, and increasing cavity depth. The absorption efficiency decreases with increasing slat width and decreasing slot width. In other words, the absorption efficiency cannot be any higher than the percentage of area taken up by the slots. The maximum possible absorption efficiency of a slot resonator with 25% slot area is 25%.

And, of course, the total amount of absorption of either type depends on its efficiency and its surface area.

Thomas