Bass Trap DIY
A bass trap is an essential part of a sound recording studio as it absorbs low frequency sounds. These low frequency sounds, also known as standing waves, often interfere with the sounds in the recording studio. These waves also interfere with the acoustics that you may have created in the recording studio as well as the vocal booth. As a result of these sound waves, the resulting sound has a 'boomy' effect.
Wall units, which are naturally heavy, can help absorb these standing waves and therefore stop them from interfering. However, there are times when you need a little more than just a heavy wall unit. Bass traps, when made in the right way, can help perform this function in the best possible manner.
There are many different kinds of bass traps. However, they are all usually made up of a heavy material like concrete. The body of the bass trap is usually made up of cement footings and cardboard tubes. These are often used for the manufacturing of other things such as fences and decks as well.
To build an efficient bass trap, you have to pay attention to a lot of things. Start off with the bass trap core and choose the right kind of material for it. Acoustic insulation is also very important so you will have to choose the right kind of fabric for it as well.
The framework of the bass trap has to be just right so that you do not end up with an extremely unwieldy device. The bass trap should be of the right size and should also be easy to handle so that you can install it in the right position that will guarantee the best performance.
There are a few basic rules when it comes to making a bass trap. If you follow these to the letter, you will have a bass trap that you can be really proud of:
The Core
The core, as the name suggests is the basic part of your bass trap. You need a fiber material to make the core of your bass trap. Since there are many grades of materials available, you can choose one which suits your budget. However, you need to give some consideration to the handling properties of the material.
Semi rigid fiber glass is considered to be the best insulation board. If you have some money to spend, and are looking for perfection, semi rigid fiber glass, in the density range of 48 kg/m3 is ideal.
This material will provide you the right kind of medium for the core of your bass trap. You can find fiberglass in different densities. Most of these are of a moderate cost. The handling properties of fiberglass are great, as are the durability and the rigidity. The acoustic performance is also great.
You have mineral wool materials that you can use instead of fiberglass. Try using Rockwool, which can also work great as the core of your bass trap. However, Rockwool though cheap, tends to be less durable than fiberglass. The material is also floppy and may begin to crumble at the edges.
If you use fiberglass, you can simply stack the boards on top of one another to get the perfect thickness that you want. This cannot be done with Rockwool panels.
The Fabric
The next step in making a great bass trap is the fabric. You need to have a breathable fabric for the bass trap. To choose the right kind of fabric, simple put the fabric on your mouth and blow on it. This can tell you whether the fabric allows air to pass, or it poses resistance. Pick up something that appeals to you and has the right kind of weave.
Stain resistance, durability against wear and tear and ease of cleaning are some of the other considerations that you may have when choosing the right fabric. Drapery fabrics as well as fabrics used for upholstery usually work great for this purpose.
Muslin, felt and dyed burlap are all good for being used for building a bass trap. A fabric which has some ingrained elasticity is usually great for giving perfect fit as well as sharp edges on the panel. There are some ready fabrics available for being used for bass traps, which you can make use of.
The Frame
The frame is often the most expensive part of the bass trap. Ideally, any material which can be used to attach upholstery can be used for making a bass trap. Ideally, the frame is needed to mount the hardware and any wood frame which is modest in size, can be used for this purpose. However, people often ignore the requirement of the frame and instead opt for bulky frames made from heavy materials.
The use of large frames to cover large areas of the insulation core is not always the brightest idea. Therefore, metal corner braces and corner gussets should be used to reinforce together small pieces of lumber. Try not to overbuild or add unnecessary weight to the frame. Also, do not cover up the backside or the sides of the panels unless it is required.
Getting the frame right allows you to keep the bass trap unit very light and practical. You can use either glue or screws to join the edges of the frame together. Eye hooks and frame wire are ideal if you are planning to make a hanger bass trap. If you have space in the back of the frame, it enhances the absorption of low frequency waves.
To create the space at the back, you can add spacers. Usually an overall gap of 4” in the back works the best. For this, a bass trap which is mounted in the hover mounting style, is ideal. You can use long metal hooks to install the hanger wire. To make an appropriate stand for the bass trap, you can use screw in door stops. This allows you to move the bass trap around and install it wherever you want.