Drapes as Diffusion?

I have a picture window in my single room studio that is roughly 4' x 8' and directly behind my mix position-about 8' behind. Due to other constraints this is the only way I can orient my listening position, so this leads me to finding a good approach to dealing with it. I realize that heavy drapes could provide a good deal of absorption (of high frequencies anyway), but I have already tamed the room a great deal and I don't want it overly dry. What about the possibility of a reflective plastic or fabric as diffusion? The idea being that the folds and irregularities in the fabric would create a more diffuse reflection. Am I way off base here? Any help would be appreciated.

Wow...I really thought someone would have tried this. If not drapes then do you folks have any other methods of dealing with large sheets of glass...aside from damping them that is. I guess I could just build some panels that I put up in the window when necessary. Maybe they could hinge on the ceiling and drop down in front of the glass when necessary. Anyone have a similar situation? Boyd

Boyd, I must have missed this the first time around, so thanks for bumping it back up to the top. > What about the possibility of a reflective plastic or fabric as diffusion? < I wouldn't count on much help from that. The convex portion of the folds might "diffuse" a little, but the concave portions will focus the sound and thus negate any benefit. Plus, the folds would have to be pretty deep to work to a usably low frequency. Also, I don't know why everyone obsesses about glass so much. It's just another reflecting surface. It may reflect to a higher frequency than sheet rock, but it's not the end of the world. In a small room like yours you'd probably do better with absorption there anyway. So I suggest either absorption or real diffusion. --Ethan

Thanks Ethan...I don't know why the Glass seems so much worse than the wood paneling in the rest of the room, but the reflections coming off it are definitely more focused and tight sounding to me. Your are probably right though, I should just go for absorption and let it go at that. Thanks for the input. Boyd