VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Sommer · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks George

I just replied to your PM.

Actually one can build a 2x4' x4" for around $40 or less, depending on material and covering. The same size ATS panel is $59.95 plus shipping

Upon looking at ATS's site and comparing their coefficients with 703 you can get a better performance with the 703. But it is still a good price for someone who is not handy.
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georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

Nothing wrong wit DIY solutions!
Of course, it always comes down to your time: What's it worth?
For me I could never build them cost effectively for my clients. They don't use the 703 in their panels like Auralex pro panels (as we know, much more expensive). I've had great results with them, however, and their new micro suede fabric, similar to that used in furniture, is really attractive!
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Okay, got a question(okay more than one). I'll direct it to Mike first, but also to anyone and everyone.

I have the 4X4 Whisper Room with:
The diamond-shaped Auralex foam on the walls
AND the other variety that has the even-cut triangle-shaped ridges(that run the length of the sheet)
Bass Traps in the corners up to about 4 feet high ( I have enough extra bass traps to put them almost to the ceiling.

Should I turn the Auralex around so that the flat side is dealing with reflections?

Is Owens Corning 703 better than these varieties of Auralex?

Do I need bass traps in the corners of the room in which I listen to playback? ( I have a couple of bass traps in the listening room in the two corners nearest my monitors but they only go about half-way up the wall)
(don't really do much " mixing" BTW)

I will say that since extending my bass trap coverage in the booth all the way to the ceiling my 416 sounds less bouncy and boomy!

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Rob,

I have been in your booth. You do not need anything else. Wink

If you are picking up some resonance when standing up...the only solution I could find was lowering myself about five inches by sitting on a tall stool. Yes, I would rather stand, but the boom in the room was causing havoc.

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:45 am Post subject:

One item I always forget to mention, ones does not need to build a frame to mount 703, there are cloth pillow case like bags that hold the batts. They work very well, and they can be made very inexpensively.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Mike, thanks. You are a treasure trove of info!

Dan, thank you as well.

Okay, so what's the concensus on acoustically treating your listening area?

Necessary? Or overkill?

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

It's very important to treat your listening area.

The room you listen in affects your mix in ways you would never imagine.

In properly treated room you can hear the difference of a 3 dB shift, or the
fraction of a degree in a pan -not just a hard 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock pan, but the difference of a 11: or 1: o'clock.

I'm sure you've mixed something at some time and you thought it sounded wonderful in your studio. You play it in your car or iPod, or at your friends house, and it sounds completely different. That's your room affecting your mix. And EQing your speakers can and will make things worse, particularly if you're trying to EQ for a node.

Every room needs treatment.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

jrkaiser · Guest

George, after searching high and low for OC703-05 south of Chicago, I finally came across ATS... after I built my panels.

They are 35 minutes away....

Good company.

Justin

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject:

I was able to order OC705 through my local Lowe's Hardware (and hear Connie's voice in the bargain) as a special order. It took only about a week to arrive.
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jrkaiser · Guest

Bob, when I went to the local Lowe's and Menards, neither had any clue what i was talking about. I went with a Rockwool subsitiute.

By chance, I was searching OC703 on Ebay and found that the source was Piper City, IL. Just down the road from me.

Did an interview on-air last week with someone from Piper City, asked if she knew anything about ATS? She said she was the office manager. Small world, new source for panels means a new source for a new project. I'm building another booth, this time with a floated floor. I'm going dense, thick and quiet... possibly overkill, but what do you think of building a booth out of 8x16" block... would that be dense enough to keep out noise if properly sealed?

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

Justin,

You're asking the wrong guy. I'm just here to learn!
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:11 pm Post subject:

Bob- 705 is a little denser than 703. 703 Performs a little better in the higher frequencies, where as 705 is better for corner base trapping.

Don't worry you'll be fine, just an FYI.

Justin- Density alone does not isolate, an air gap with decoupling will be needed to give you effective isolation.
Example:
~You can get 50 to 55 Sound Transmission Class (STC) with a block wall (every cell grouted).
~A fully sealed two leaf 2x4 wall insulated with a double layer of 5/8 drywall on each side will give you 55 to 60 STC.
~If you attach RC1 resilient channel on the face of the block wall with a layer of 5/8 drywall and you can get 60 to 65 STC.

The question - How much are 5 STC's really worth?

But the weak link in a block wall system is the roof, unless you can pour a concrete roof your still building a traditional wood frame roofing system.

You'll have to weigh the cost of each.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

jrkaiser · Guest

Thanks. It's something I've been tossing around. I've become engrossed in acoustics and isolation learning and projects and when comparing price, and building time/efficiency, block looked like it might save 1/2 the time on building and materials prices. You're right about the roof.

It's a future project. Block sure would be a lot harder to dismantle and move if needed wouldn't it.

Thanks again.

Justin

Mike Sommer · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:04 am Post subject:

It would at that. How about making portable booth out of a shipping container?
http://www.johnlsayers.com/Pages/Spark_1.htm#top
http://www.johnlsayers.com/Studio/Mainpage/MP-Mark.htm
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The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.