Owens Corning 703 insulation is the go-to material for absorption panels in recording studios because of its particular density. Unfortunately, it’s a bit hard to find because hardware stores like Home Depot don’t carry it. ATS Acoustics builds and sells panels which are expensive and have questionable design characteristics, but they also sell OC 703, extra-wide burlap, and spray adhesive that you can use to build your own custom panels. I’m building bass traps, clouds and membrane absorbers for my mixing studio.
Build Your Own Acoustic Panels
September 13th, 2007 by TW · 8 Comments
Tags: Acoustics
8 responses so far ↓
1 Brian // Sep 17, 2007 at 11:15 pm
You can buy 703, 705, etc. from ATS and have it shipped in 3-5 days for less than you can buy it in person from most suppliers. An actual warehouse that stocks the stuff is likely 100 miles from where you live anyway.
Ready Acoustics sells bags (think 2′ x 4′ futon covers) complete with mounting straps for anyone wanting an easier way to cover their rigid insulation. Though I’m admittedly a bit underwhelmed with my end results, they certainly are an improvement from my own earlier, entirely-diy versions.
2 TW // Sep 18, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Thanks, Brian. Ready Acoustics looks awesome.
3 TW // Sep 19, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Here’s another link for 703.
4 Evan // Sep 22, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I used the Ready Acoustics bags with a competitor’s product - Johns Manville 814, which I found locally for $.85/sqft, compared to $2-2.50/sqft I was quoted for OC 703. The absorption coefficients even look a little better than 703 in the midbass, at least according to specs here
Works well - just took a little trial and error with placement to make sure absorption was well-balanced across the spectrum.
5 Stephen // Oct 20, 2007 at 11:43 pm
www.spi-co.com
These guys often have 703 and if not, just buy the mineral wool equivalent, it’s WAY cheaper and works the same acoustically. To see exact differences in certain frequencies, go to:
www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm
ReadyAcoustics: Google “Ethan Winer Ready Acoustics” and you may find some things that make you not want to buy their stuff. Personally, Ethan seems a credible source to me. And he’s certainly one very helpful fellow on the acoustics forums.
6 peapod recordings // Oct 29, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I ordered a box of 703 through a locally owned lumberyard here in Portland Maine, very reasonably. There may be local alternatives to ordering online, even if you have to wait a week or so. Home Depot were useless when I asked them about it on a couple of different occasions.
7 Andrew Akers // Jan 5, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I am building a small studio with my son in Nashville. We used R 14 in the walls first on the exterior walls then after we built the actual walls of the studio we used R 14 again . Since my shop builds stage scenery I made the walls from 1 x 6 and covered them with 3/8″ luan ply wood . These false walls stand about 6″ away from the exterior walls and the long side of the room is not parallel. As I mentioned before the false walls were filled with just good ole R 14 insulation . Now for the acoustical panels we went to a industrial insualtion supply . Look in your yellow pages for those who sell pipe insulation sleeves and you will find out that they will also sell the 703 in cartons of 12 . I think my price was about 140 bucks a carton . Now to build the panels we covered the 2 x 4 foot 703 panels with un bleached theatrical muslin and used spray adhesive on the back side of the panel to attach the fabric as we wrapped it . We used no spray adhesive what so ever on the face only on the back side. We then glued on the back side of the panels top and bottom a block of 3/4″ ply with a strip of either ply or 1/4″ ABs to act as a nailer . Since the walls are 3/8″ ply we can screw these panels where ever we want them on the wall and since we have blocked behind the panels there is air between the false walls and the 703 panels . You can get the muslin from Mutual Hardware in NYC and be sure to talk to Sal . Not too expensive at all really. 3 M 77 spray adhesive works well on the fabric on the back side . Do not stress over any wrinkles on the face of the fabric . You can lightly spray the muslin with water and it will draw tight . Do not paint the fabric and remember do not use spray adhesive on the face of the fabric or panel as it will then make it act like a backed fabric and you defeat the whole purpose of the 703. You can find the 703 for about 1. 35 a square foot wholesale . You just have to look . Remember not to use a backed fabric and really muslin looks fine . Of course this is more for budget operations than with a super deluxe studio / mastering operation but they function very well and with the accountants taking over these days the less overhead you show the better.
8 bender // Feb 19, 2008 at 2:52 am
I found a great spot in NYC and I ended up spending $50 a box or 6 panels on 24 x 48 x 2″ 703, which is a way better price than anywhere i found it online or anywhere else in the city . If this would help anyone let me know, I’d be happy to point you in their direction.
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