DIY Auralex's ELiTE B24 Pro Panels

[aschatzb]

Hello Everyone,

I hoping to get some tips on building some acoustic panels to control reflection in control room, a lot like Auralex's ELiTE B24 Pro Panels. I have some basic ideas for a plan of attack... Build a wooden frame, wrap fabric and staple to frame, and stuff with acoustic foam.

My questions:

1) how important is the choice of fabric?
2) what should I use for acoustic foam?
3) Should I seal the foam to keep it from becoming airborne?

Any advice would be rocking!

thank you,

andrew

[knightfly]

I've handled the Pro panels and they are higher density than any foam I've used or seen - there is no realisic way you will duplicate these using generic foam, unless you build them about twice as thick.

A more realistic way would be to use rockwool or rigid fiberglass, 3 pcf range, and cover with a fairly tight weave cloth. If the cloth isn't already fire rated (guilford of maine is about the only one that is, and it ain't cheap) there are fire treatment sprays available

http://www.natfire.com/

Sealing ANY absorbent will completely change its absorbing properties; the way they work is that the sound waves try to get through all the little pores/fibers (called interstices) and in doing so they convert sound energy to heat energy.

Your best bet for rockwool or rigid fiberglass insulation is local drywall/insulation contractors, not Home Depot - if you can't find any locally (ask about CertainTeed, Roxul, Johns Manville, Owens Corning) you might try this

http://www.spi-co.com/servicecenterdirectory.mv

HTH... Steve

[aschatzb]

Thank You for the response! Very helpful.

Are you talking about using the weave cloth around the mineral wool in addition to the fabric cover of the frames? Mineral Wool is nasty stuff when it gets airborne...

[knightfly]

No, one good way to control the airborne factor is to put the rockwool batts into garbage bags and tape them with duct tape, then use the cover cloth of your choice. The garbage bags control the "emanations", but reduce high absorption a bit; the cloth cover will get some of that absorption back, for a pretty neutral result... Steve

[aschatzb]

Hey Steve, thanks so much. These things are gonna be ultra inexpensive,
easy to make, effective, and aestically pleasing. Is there any reason these things need to be fire rated???

[AVare]

Hey Steve, thanks so much. These things are gonna be ultra inexpensive,
easy to make, effective, and aestically pleasing. Is there any reason these things need to be fire rated???

No joking intended. The reason is death.

Andre

[aschatzb]

DOH! But seriously, I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but I don't think my couch is firerated... Are these panels at higher risk of bursting into flames???

[knightfly]

They can be; just recently I heard of a MAJOR room in So Cal going up in flames, idiots left candles burning and went for coffee or something - $$$$$ new SSL board destroyed among other things.

Your couch probably is NOT fire rated, but rather than put even MORE stuff in your environment that can make a "small oops" into a WAKE, I personally would opt for getting enough of the fire retardant spray for the COUCH as well.

Ever seen a marshmallow after it catches fire and you blow it out? I've seen two HUMANS in that condition, one died at the scene and the other lived for 3 days, begging to be killed when he was conscious.

After 20+ years, it almost never wakes me up at night any more...

[AVare]

DOH! But seriously, I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but I don't think my couch is firerated... Are these panels at higher risk of bursting into flames???

Hold a lit match upright, the normal way.

Hold a lit match sideways.

Hold a lit match upside down. The flame heats the match stick and the flame rushes up the stick. Rush in comparison to the previous two positions.

Yes, it is necessary.

Andre