Bass Traps and Big Glass Iso Booth Window. Any suggestions?

Hey guys....this forum is terrific, I've learned a lot. Thanks for all the info. I'm trying to implement some of the ideas here in my own studio, using bass traps and panel absorbers, etc. Any input would be great. The control room is 9'x12' with 8.5 ceiling, parallel walls. I've oriented things against the back long wall to maintain symmetry. With all the doors and windows, there was really no other way. I understand the concept of making the back wall REALLY absorbant in a small room to kill early reflections, but what about the other walls and ceiling? Should I build the corner slot resonators outlined on John's page, or would they be too reflective in a small space like this? Would placing some of the angled side wall slot absorbers help break up reflections btw the parallel walls, or should I use the space to absorb as much as possible? I was thinking of using a combo of corner slot resonators, panel absorbers (Ethan's design), and simple framed sheets of 703 along corners, but can't decide on the balance of all these things. To deal with the big 4'x4' iso booth window to the right, I was thinking of making a framed 4'x4' panel of 4inch thick OC "SelectSound" fiberglass. This stuff is basically black 703/705 with mat finish, so no cloth covering necessary: http://www.owenscorning.com/around/soun ... ACKAC1.PDF Within the frame, there would be double 2inch thick fiberglass panels back to back, open on both sides. The frame would be hinged at the ceiling. When tracking, the panel would be parallel to the ceiling, with a 4" space. When mixing, the panel would swing down and cover the iso booth glass, again with a 4" space. It would act as a low frequency absorber is both positions, although a different band would be absorbed in the wall position due to the glass behind it. I guess I could possibly angle it to reflect higher frequencied to the rear. My main concern is early reflections off the glass. Any ideas? Any input is appreciated. Thanks, -casey Los Angeles

Having a swinging shutter for the window isn't a bad idea. The only drawback is that you'll have to keep it's swing path clear of other room treatment- this may or may not be a big deal. To be honest, if you're thinking of doing a hinged shutter of any sort, you might be better off making 2 shutters, and having them swing open sideways- you won't have to reach for the ceiling when you want to open or close it, and they really won't take up that much space to the sides of the window. If you know what frequencies you'll be having problems with in the room, you can build corner slot resonators to help with those particular freq's, but you may be better off just framing 703 across the corners and going for broadband absorption. The panel trap idea is always good- try to build them all slightly different (varying the membrane thickness, building some deeper than others) and they'll cover a wider spectrum. If your back wall needs to absorb over the entire spectrum, you can probably space 703 away from the wall (as John recommends for a rear wall absorber) and place all the panel traps along the front wall. What are you going to be doing about that exterior window on the rear wall? You could build another swinging shutter for that, I suppose... Good luck! Kase www.minemusic.net

Thanks for the input dymaxian. The double shutter idea is a good one. The left side of the shutter would swing out and be positioned across the room corner, acting as a corner absorber. Although the right side would be a little in the way of the iso booth door. I suppose another more high tech design would be to have a bass trap drop down inside the wall when it wasnt covering the window. Then, flip a switch and it slides up into place when mixing. Not sure about the back exterior window. I'll probably just pull a heavy curtain. I'm installing a second window over the one that is there, so perhaps I could angle it a litte to reflect higher frequencies away from the mix position. Any thoughts? -casey Los Angeles

Man, that looks tight with the doors and window. Here's an idea:) Maybe, use the rear wall for as much broadband absorption as you can get? Best, Dave

Hey thanks Dave for the input! I'll definitely consider that layout. Advice is much appreciated. -casey Los Angeles

Yes - good one Dave - I was thinking along the same lines - it's really the only solution in such a room :) cheers john

Yeah those doors and windows are becoming a problem. I like Dave's design, except I would lose so much space in the middle of the room. How bout I just cover that exterior window and turn Dave's design 180 degress around the other way? Or maybe I could turn the window into a bass trap itself? Or put a panel trap over it? thanks for the input. -casey Los Angeles