Acoustic Panels - Acoustimac
A: Bass traps are thicker and denser versions of acoustic panels designed specifically to absorb bass frequencies down to 40 Hz. Acoustic panels generally target high and mid frequencies (such as human voices and treble) while offering some bass absorption ranging from 250 Hz to 4000 Hz. Acoustimac's bass traps excel in absorbing high frequencies similarly to standard panels, with the added advantage of tackling lower frequencies more effectively. These bass absorption panels, like the Corner trap, are most effective when placed in room corners. They eliminate standing waves, dips, and spikes that are common in smaller spaces. If you notice excessive bass in one part of your room and a lack of bass in the sweet spot, you need bass traps to balance the room's low frequencies. This approach ensures tighter and punchier bass that complements other sounds uniformly, regardless of your position in the room.
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Acoustic Panels 101: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide
In the recording studio, acoustic panels are crucial for effective acoustic treatment.
While they may not absorb low-end frequencies as efficiently as bass traps, they are essential for eliminating standing waves between parallel walls. This is particularly problematic in small cubical rooms typical of many home recording studios. In this ultimate guide, I will share everything you need to know about this important topic.
Commercial Acoustic Panels vs Homemade DIY Panels
Contrary to popular belief, building homemade DIY acoustic panels is quite common. It requires trips to home improvement stores and basic carpentry skills but can save you significant costs. However, commercially bought acoustic panels, though pricier, have the advantage of being performance tested. This ensures that they perform as expected. Many novice studio owners mistakenly use materials like carpeting, cardboard cup holders, or egg crate foam, which absorb higher frequencies and leave lower ones intact, making the room sound dull and bass-heavy. For beginners, it's advisable to purchase acoustic panels online. This way, you get accustomed to the 'sound of a studio,' understanding the difference between a good and bad room. With experience, you can then experiment with homemade panels.
The 3 Key Features of Acoustic Panel Design
When shopping for acoustic foam online, consider these three key features:
Thickness: The industry standard is 2". While 4" is premium and more expensive, thicker panels perform better technically. However, for most purposes, 2" is sufficient and recommended. I'll share a mounting trick later to make 2" foam as effective as the 4".
Surface Pattern: Panels often feature a 3D pattern on their surface, with Wedged and Pyramid being the most common. These patterns affect performance minimally, so choose one that appeals to you aesthetically.
Square Footage: The standard bundles often come in packages of 6, 12, or 24, with sizes of 1ft², 2ft², or 2ft×4ft. Pay attention to the total square footage of coverage. A good starting point for most home studios is around 48ft². This can mean 48 panels of 1ft² each, 12 panels of 2ft², or 6 panels of 2×4 ft. Smaller panels are generally easier to mount with temporary adhesives and won’t damage your wall.
NRC Ratings vs SRC Ratings: What’s the Difference?
Product descriptions often include a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating between 0 and 1. Higher numbers indicate better absorption. However, for recording studios, this rating is mostly worthless because it measures absorption at only four frequencies: 2000 Hz, 1000 Hz, 500 Hz, and 250 Hz. Since problematic frequencies in the studio are usually below 250 Hz, a different metric, the Sound Absorption Coefficient (SRC), provides a better performance representation. Unfortunately, SRC numbers are rarely posted nowadays.
The 10 Best Acoustic Panel Packs on the Market Today
Now that you know how to choose an acoustic panel package, here are the top ten options available, made by renowned brands:
For smaller rooms, I recommend:
- Auralex DST 112 – (B&H)
- Auralex DST 114 – (Amazon)
- DMSKY Self-Adhesive – (Amazon)
- Fstop Wedge – (Amazon)
- Auralex Wedge 1ft² – (Amazon/B&H)
- Auralex Sonoflat 1ft² – (Amazon/B&H)
For larger rooms, consider these:
- Auralex D36 Designer Series – (B&H/Thomann)
- Auralex 2ft² Pyramid – (Amazon/B&H)
- Auralex 2×4 Pyramid – (Amazon/B&H)
- Auralex Sonoflat 2ft² – (B&H)
How to Build Homemade DIY Acoustic Panels
Maybe you have experience with commercial acoustic panels and want to try something new, or perhaps you enjoy DIY projects and want to save money. Building your own acoustic panels is relatively simple with patience and a few basic materials.
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You'll need these tools:
- Hammer and nails – to construct the frame
- Glue – to secure the insulation within the frame
- Staple gun and scissors – to secure and trim the outer fabric
- Mounting brackets – to mount the finished panel to the wall
You'll also need these materials:
- Wood – to construct a standard-sized 2ft by 4ft frame
- Fabric – to cover the exposed insulation and give the finished panel a polished look
- Owens Corning 703 – a type of fiberglass that is affordable and as effective as acoustic foam
While you can easily buy wood and fabric at any local home improvement store, Owens Corning 703 might need to be ordered online.
How to Mount Acoustic Panels in the Corners of the Room
Once you have your acoustic panels, either self-made or purchased, it's time to mount them. If you've already installed bass traps as recommended, the next step is to cover the area directly behind your studio monitors. If the monitors have a rear-facing bass port, this is particularly important. Then cover the open dihedral corners (marked in blue in the diagram) with acoustic panels. For commercial foam panels, wrap them around the corner, leaving an air gap for better low-end absorption. Homemade panels should be positioned diagonally across the corner. Don’t use all your panels in the corners, as wall coverage is also necessary.
How to Position Acoustic Panels for Maximum Wall Coverage
The ideal wall coverage for acoustic panels varies between 20-80% depending on the room's acoustic issues. The only way to determine this is by constantly retesting the acoustics using the "clap test." You might find that fewer panels than expected are needed, as adding too many panels can make the room sound uncomfortably dead. Typically, home studios have fewer panels than ideal, so to maximize results, cover one wall fully and leave the reflection point on the opposite wall open. If this sounds confusing, refer to the above diagram for clarity.
How to Mount the Panels Without Ruining Your Wall
In home studios, where acoustic foam installations are often temporary, avoiding wall damage is a major concern. You also want to avoid damaging the foam in case you wish to resell it. Finding an adhesive that is strong enough to hold the foam yet easy to remove without leaving residue on the wall is crucial. Due to varying wall and paint types, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Hence, several adhesive products are available specifically for this purpose.
3 Adhesive Strength Options for Mounting Your Acoustic Panels
Auralex offers various adhesives designed for mounting acoustic panels:
- Auralex TubeTak Pro – (Amazon/B&H/Thomann)
- Auralex FoamTak – (Amazon/B&H)
- Auralex EZ-stick – (Amazon/B&H)
TubeTak is the strongest adhesive but hard to remove, while EZ-stick is the weakest but may not hold well. FoamTak is a balanced option but can leave a mess once removed.
A DIY Hack I Discovered Through Years of Trial and Error
To mount panels without leaving adhesive residue, cover both the wall and the back of the foam with clear packaging tape. Then spray FoamTak or a similar adhesive between them. This method leaves zero adhesive residue on anything. However, test the tape on a small part of the wall first to ensure it can be removed cleanly.
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