How can I make my own acoustic materials?

I have detailed DIY designs for three types of RPG-style diffusors which I'd be glad to email you. I used 1/2" medite for the first and have used Styrofoam (which does a fair amount of absorbing along with diffusing, more or less like RPG's Abffusor) after that, for lighter weight, easier construction. But any board could be used. My clones of RPG's Skyline work as well as the real thing, as far as I can tell. But then all my models are sure to work--the basic design behind them is precisely the same as RPG's. A little of the theory can be found in F. Alton Everest's "Sound Studio Construction on a Budget", maybe also in his "Master Handbook of Acoustics", but be sure to get the 4th edition. Jon Risch has detailed instructions for tube traps a la ASC but the construction looks a lot messier than my DIY projects--which do, however, call for a table saw or the like to cut the pieces. Good luck!

Goto www.decware.com (the infamous Zen amps website). They sell plans for room acoustic treatments. I just ordered plans for corner bass traps. Very cool...

If i remember correctly, someone on the Asylum did a "shoot-out" by setting up a room following Jon Risch's directions and then using Steve Deckert's directions. They brought in a varied group of "local audiophiles" and listened to both groups. The group pretty unanimously picked Risch's set-up as being far superior in terms of sonics, especially imaging. Like anything else though, personal tastes and installations vary. The fact that Jon "gives" his designs away doesn't hurt anything either : ) Sean
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If it's not documented, it never happened...if it's not validated, it's useless...that's what any QA officer would say about that. I bought the corner bass traps plans because they are massive(121 lbs)and right now the bass frequencies are travelling to the top and bottom apartments and that is not good. Steve assured me that even footstep sounds would be absorbed by the bass traps. I don't think he's a Vodoo man. Far from it. I trust his design.

Careful with rockwool inside living spaces: It is molten granite spun over rolls. If it's dry it will release asbestos-like particles in the air. Not good.

Psychicanimal, i have nothing to gain by promoting or belittling either Jon Risch or Steve Deckert. Both are making a valiant attempt to help people out. One does it by sharing his knowledge, designs and offering advice / guidance for free while the other makes / sells / markets various products and services. You be the judge as to who is more likely to "hype" their product. In my eyes, it would be the one that stands to make money.

As i mentioned, the results of that specific test were documented somewhere on the Asylum. If i can remember correctly, there were over a half dozen audiophiles that were involved in the listening test.

Either way, i wish you luck in your project. I hope that the bass traps turn out as your expecting and solve your problem. Sean
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