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Topic starter
10/01/2005 9:23 am
Hi there.
I help out some kids in a band, by ferrying their kit around for them and letting them use my Scout HQ at the weekends for practise.
Problem is, the HQ is one of these prefabricated buildings, and the acoustics inside are horrible. Everything just bounces off the walls and becomes one blurred and messy jumble.
I was toying with the idea of taking some of the hessian (sackcloth) sheets and blankets and hanging them from the ceiling to enclose their practise area. I cannot do anything more permanent, as the HQ is used for other things during the week.
I was wondering, will doing this make any difference? I imagine the blankets would be pretty good, but the hessian? It's not thick like the blankets, but I don't have enough blankets to do the job.
Also, would making some 'walls' be sufficient, or is it worth the extra hassle of rigging something to make a 'roof' as well?
10/01/2005 7:43 pm
I think that hessian may well be enough. What gets through and reflects off the walls, will probably get stopped on it's way back. Obviously the thicker the hessian, the better.
However, too much may just end up giving a completely false sound - all halls, rooms, etc. have some sound reflection, it's just that most of it is absorbed by people's bodies, etc..
You can but try and if it isn't enough, you'll have to use something heavier.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
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Topic starter
11/01/2005 7:28 am
Thanks Greybeard!
I just needed to know if it was going to be a total waste of time to try, before spending hours rigging it all up for them, but I shall give it a go.
:)
11/01/2005 4:06 pm
If you can put some cheap soft foam behind the cloth, that will help even more.
I've seen one place that was a converted loft, and they hung swales of black cloth between the open rafters and laid soft foam on top - and it worked pretty well.
-Laz
Topic starter
12/01/2005 7:46 am
Cheers Laz,
Unfortunately, any soundproofing I employ has to be easily taken down as soon as practice is over, as other people use the hut.
Good tip though - I'll remember it in case I ever get anywhere more permanent to use.
:)
17/01/2005 2:03 am
Just to expand a little on the above..
If the hall is large it may be more hassle than it's worth the fact you have to keep taking it down but as greybeard said.. you can but try.
The heavier the better really, blankets, duvets will work better than hession. If the hall has windows with curtains then make sure you close the curtains.
This is pretty "loose" advice but think of the walls as mirror reflections from where the speakers are aiming to figure out the best places to hang the blankets to minimise your work. In reality the sound is going to bounce everywhere but doing this will absorb more sound for less blanket. Try hanging one in front of the speakers at various distances with both speakers aiming slightly inwards towards it and just experiment.
Lee
Topic starter
17/01/2005 10:12 am
Cheers Lee (and everyone else who posted).
Tried it out yesterday. I think it made a bit of difference, but we will need to experiment like you said - the sound was still very messy, but I think it might have something to do with their settings/levels.