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Acoustic Foam the Myth the Reality
This is an excerpt from an article over on the Pro Tools Expert websight.
I thought it might be useful to those starting on the journey of delving into treating Room Acoustics. "Myths Of Modern Recording – Acoustic Foam Treatment Improves Room Acoustics....... Many believe sticking acoustic foam tiles on the walls and ceilings of their studios is the be all and end all to improving room acoustics. In this Myths Of Modern Recording article I will argue that using just foam tiles as acoustic treatment does little to improve problematic room acoustics. Foam merely changes the acoustics of a room as foam can only physically absorb a narrow range of frequencies. You will never know for sure if a room’s acoustics have been improved or deteriorated with off the shelf "acoustic foam treatment". Several years ago I learnt a valuable lesson in over using acoustic foam treatment - Read my article Acoustic Treatment - What Are We All Doing? Marketing - Read Between The Lines Acoustic foam treatment is marketed in some quite outrageous ways, such as: Control the acoustics in your studio with foam product A Get better acoustics with foam bundle B Enhance your space with foam bundle C It’s easy to see why so many buy into the idea of foam. If you read between the lines of foam marketing you’ll see that you are being led to believe that your recording studio is worse off for not having foam stuck to every wall. Low-cost room bundles advertised in a way that makes you believe you should cover almost every square inch of your studio in foam. Acoustic Treatment or Acoustic Torture? Let’s compare acoustic treatment to medical treatment. You go to your doctor when you are sick - you want to find out what the illness is and treatment. The doctor diagnoses your illness and prescribes the correct treatment... treatment works - you get better. Now think of the acoustic problems in your studio as that illness. You don’t know what the problems are, so how do you know what the correct treatment should be? Many wouldn’t have a clue how to find out the illness (acoustic problems) is in the studio. Many will guess and self-diagnose problems with the cheapest option of "treatment" being used as to correct the issues – acoustic foam. The biggest problem with foam is the final installed results. Once it has been stuck to the walls we hear a difference to the sound of the room, this difference is often interpreted as an improvement, however this isn't always the case. No-one will want to admit they have degraded the sound of their newly foam treated studio. Foam - Part Of The Acoustic Treatment I will admit I have been quite one-sided in this article. Foam does have an acoustic purpose if used correctly and in conjunction with other acoustic treatment solutions. Foam absorbs a narrow range of frequencies that can address flutter echoes and high-end reverberations if the correct amount is used and positioned well. Read how Mike Thornton uses small amount of foam in his studio - Acoustic Treatment - What Are We All Doing - Part 3" Here is the link http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home...room-acoustics
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#2
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Round one!
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Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above |
#3
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Well it does state what foam is useful for, so I guess I do not see the rumble.
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#4
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I just skimmed this. What I got is you need an acoustic engineer or use a expensive studio. All others use foam.
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#5
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Quote:
But there are some diagnostic tools available to download that can help also and do not require hiring and outside engineer. These can go a long way towards actually solving problems. And there is a plethora of information online about studio acoustics and designs and about acoustic room problems and possible solutions. As well info from commercial absorber mfg's and DYI absorber designs, uses, likely placement, etc.etc. And have no idea where you came up with "All others use foam" Most of the people I know who have treated their own rooms (sans an engineer) have done so without foam or with foam for specific uses per the last paragraph above and then also more broad band absorption products .
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 10-24-2016 at 11:14 AM. |
#6
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I loathe how people assume every room has acoustic problems and must be "fixed." I'm getting very nice sounding recording is my untreated living room. All I have is an Auralex MudGuard and a moving blanket. Works fine for me, but the experts insist I should put in $1,000's of dollars in room treatment, and I'm not worthy until I do. And they do this without ever seeing my room.
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Alvarez 66 CE Alvarez AJ80CE Takamine F340 Guild F-2512 Deluxe CE Ibanez Acoustic Bass 12 M1 Martin 12 string X Series Harley Benton Telecaster EVH Wolfgang Formerly known as Martin Maniac..... M |
#7
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As a professional acoustical engineer, just an hour ago I was visiting a client about remedial treatment in his conference room, and a possible future recording booth.
I basically told him, "never bring a knife to a gun fight". In other words, you have to use the right tool for the job. There are really only three things you can do to sound in a room. You can absorb it (foam or fiberglass). You can scatter it (diffusive surfaces) or you can reflect it to where it doesn't hurt you (walls at non-parallel angles). As Martin Maniac said just before me, "Is there really a problem to begin with"? It is vital to identify the actual problem. Is it sound transfer between adjoining spaces? Is it sound bouncing around in the room creating echoes or audible artifacts? Is it a major lack of absorption / excess general reverberation or liveness? I also told him that 90% of what you read on the internet is not based on facts or experience, but rehashing of the same misinformation. I can almost count on one hand where bass traps have been useful, and that was always retrofit in existing recording studios. Personally I record in the extra bedroom, which has painted sheet rock surfaces and two beds, plus an open closet full of clothes. The beds and closet give me plenty of absorption, and the walls give me nice reflections and "presence". As a pro I have access to all the products - often at cost or free - and the relevant data, but I just don't bother. Mic'ing techniques and placement are far more effective and important than most room surfaces. I could go on for hours discussing this topic, but need to get back to work now. |
#8
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Quote:
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 |
#9
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Hearing your room would be far more effective. Post up some clips.
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Sobell Model 1 Sobell six string archtop Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis Eastman John Pisano Gibson Johnny A Franklin Prairie State Collings D1A |
#10
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That's simply not true Martin. Virtually every conversation you've been involved in here has revolved around the absolute fact that decent room treatment and money invested can be exclusive of one another. That and it's not only been me but virtually all who have been proponents have mentioned the same. I know I've preference each and every conversation, without fail, that lot's of money is not needed for a good room. You have consistently chosen to ignore that even within the scope and context of the conversation. Some have pointed you in the direction of extremely inexpensive DUY projects and your retort is your not rich like Peter Gabriel.
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#11
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What should I do with all this foam now?
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#12
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Quote:
http://www.soundclick.com/html5/v3/p...&q=hi&newref=1 Here's another... http://www.soundclick.com/html5/v3/p...&q=hi&newref=1
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Alvarez 66 CE Alvarez AJ80CE Takamine F340 Guild F-2512 Deluxe CE Ibanez Acoustic Bass 12 M1 Martin 12 string X Series Harley Benton Telecaster EVH Wolfgang Formerly known as Martin Maniac..... M Last edited by Yamaha Man; 10-24-2016 at 10:02 PM. |
#13
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No foam in mine, but lots of midrange absorption and bass traps, and a carefully constructed back wall diffuser tuned to the room, designed with a QRD calculator.
I wish foam would have been enough to save the day... |
#14
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Often room treatment is not needed in a recording room. But in a mixing room (i.e. one with 'monitor' speakers) treatment can be crucial to making mixes that translate well to other playback systems.
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#15
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Quote:
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Alvarez 66 CE Alvarez AJ80CE Takamine F340 Guild F-2512 Deluxe CE Ibanez Acoustic Bass 12 M1 Martin 12 string X Series Harley Benton Telecaster EVH Wolfgang Formerly known as Martin Maniac..... M |