Hello,
I'm hoping for advice about how to build and use FREESTANDING acoustic foam-panel damping.
I am an aspiring classical guitarist and technical trainer. I would like to create a reasonable sound isolation space in my basement for recording myself on guitar PRIMARILY for learning purposes, and secondarily for recording spoken-word narratives for training modules. I am aware that with what I'm using I'm not going to get awesome results but I'd like to optimize.
I have the Auralex D36 "Roominator" package, which contains 36 1-foot-square foam tiles.
My basement is shown in the picture. This is a finished, live-in space:
- 1970s construction (Seattle WA)
- major dimensions: 28 L by 21.5 W by 8' 8" H
- concrete floor with berber carpeting (thin and dense)
- plaster walls
- popcorn ceiling
My budget: Currently approximately zero dollars (having already spent $140 on the Auralex tiles), except that which I'll spend on materials to construct the freestanding panels on which I'll glue the Auralex tiles. I plan to use simple wood building materials (plywood, two-by-fours)
I plan to glue the Auralex tiles to plywood or some other flat surface and mount that to portable stands. I assume that I can achieve decent sound improvement by placing three or four panels strategically around, behind, and/or in front of me and my mic. (Recording using laptop PC and Digidesign MBox.)
So mainly what I'm hoping for is advice about the following:
- How many free-standing panels should I make? (e.g., four panels each with 9 tiles? three panels each with 12 tiles? etc.)
- What aspect ratio? (3x3 tiles? 4x3? 2x6? etc.)
- Do the panels on which I'm installing the Auralex tiles need to be constructed in such a way as to be extremely heavy and rigid?
- What would be optimal placement (incl. height) for recording acoustic classical nylon-string guitar (seated) WITH RESPECT TO THE MIC?
- What would be optimal placement (incl. height) for recording spoken voice (standing) WITH RESPECT TO THE MIC?
- Where in the room is the best placement for the mic and panels?
That's it... I think I've included everything but my apologies if I've forgotten some detail(s) -- first post and all...
Thank you!
Tim
