Looking for acoustic treatment advice

[jwnicholson]

I'm looking to take my setup up a notch and replace my monitors (which were given to me years ago and aren't particularly good). But before I do that, I'd like to add some acoustic treatment, and get as much bang for my buck as possible.

Unfortunately, I don't have the greatest space; I'm sharing my music setup with the family basement. And given the stuff in the basement I don't really have the option to move my setup. It's an L-shaped room with my music computer in the back corner. I've attached a sketch with my setup. So I'm hoping to get advice on how to best improve my limited space.

Above the keyboard, I have my guitars hanging from the wall. Is that causing me problems? Would a wall hanging behind the guitars help?

Would wall hangings behind the music desk and the opposite wall be the way to go? Are decorative rugs good enough, or should I invest in sound panels?

My naive assumption would be that since I'm in the back end of an L-shaped room, standing waves are less of an issue. The right speaker points out into the open area and one or two bounces and the left speaker and that's out in the open area two where lots of furniture and other stuff should disperse the waves, preventing standing waves. Am I right or am I fooling myself?

Should I get bass traps? Where's the optimal placement and how many do I need? Is there a way to make a measurement for the best placement?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I really appreciate the help.

Jeff

[FranklyFlawless]

Above the keyboard, I have my guitars hanging from the wall. Is that causing me problems? Would a wall hanging behind the guitars help?

It would if you need to keep taking them off the wall and placing them back on, as there is a risk of dropping them. Get a guitar rack instead, like the Hercules Stands GS525B. Then your wall is free for other uses, notably acoustic treatment solutions.

Would wall hangings behind the music desk and the opposite wall be the way to go? Are decorative rugs good enough, or should I invest in sound panels?

Yes (plus the keyboard wall), and either rugs or sound panels will work. You decide what you want your studio to look like. If you want sound panels, I suggest the Primacoustic London 8, since your room is not fully enclosed.

My naive assumption would be that since I'm in the back end of an L-shaped room, standing waves are less of an issue. The right speaker points out into the open area and one or two bounces and the left speaker and that's out in the open area two where lots of furniture and other stuff should disperse the waves, preventing standing waves. Am I right or am I fooling myself?

You are right in that it is less of an issue. How much is a more complicated question in which I am not willing to calculate.

Should I get bass traps? Where's the optimal placement and how many do I need? Is there a way to make a measurement for the best placement?

Yes, always in the corners, and just two since your room is not fully enclosed. I suggest the Auralex LENRD.

[jwnicholson]

FranklyFlawless, thanks so much for the suggestions. I really appreciate your help!
Jeff

[e@rs]

You can use foam for high frequency absorption, but for the rest of the spectrum it's useless. Stacked mineral wool (rock wool) is the answer for affordable low frequency absorption and you have to use as many panels as physically possible.

I'm no expert, but I think it might be better if you re-arrange your speakers like in my modified drawing and as far from the corners as possible and also treat very well the front corners and the front wall plus the first reflection zone (the red drawings).

basement layout 3.jpg

[jwnicholson]

You can use foam for high frequency absorption, but for the rest of the spectrum it's useless. Stacked mineral wool (rock wool) is the answer for affordable low frequency absorption and you have to use as many panels as physically possible.

I'm no expert, but I think it might be better if you re-arrange your speakers like in my modified drawing and as far from the corners as possible and also treat very well the front corners and the front wall plus the first reflection zone (the red drawings).

Thanks, interesting suggestion! I'll look into it.

[scott_free]

This is a helpful overview of where in the room to treat first:

[jwnicholson]

This is a helpful overview of where in the room to treat first:

Thanks! That was very informative.