Best Products for Studio Acoustic Treatment

Acoustic treatment is crucial to just about any music studio environment. More so, if you are working from a smaller studio space. In today’s article, we’re taking a look at what are the best products for Studio Acoustic Treatment? This the buying guide for you.

A lot of newcomers to the music production space would readily skimp out on acoustic treatment when starting out. But this is a really essential aspect of your music studio. We’ve previously given a step by step guide about How to Set Up Acoustic Treatment In Your Home Studio. However, in this article, we hope to give a guide on what exactly what items are involved when it comes to acoustic treatment, and what are the best products for studio acoustic treatment.

Why is Acoustic Treatment Necessary?

We won’t harp on this aspect for too long, since we have a more intricate discussion on it here. But here’s the run-down briefly. Acoustic treatment is a sound absorption technique that controls the surplus of sound resonances traveling in a room. Excess resonances can not only affect the quality of your recordings, since microphones can pick up more than just direct sound. They can similarly impact your monitoring experience as discussed in detail this article on the Best Professional Setup for Studio Monitors.

Acoustical Treatment has three main components to consider. These would be:

1. Acoustic Panels

Acoustic panels are meant for the absorption of mid to high range frequencies. This would be in the form of either acoustic foam panels, or fiberglass panels. Acoustic foam panels absorb frequencies down to about 500hz. Fiberglass panels on the other hand much denser and absorb sound a lot better. These generally handle frequencies down to 100hz.

2. Bass Traps

In studio, Bass traps are meant for the absorption of much lower frequencies that cannot be absorbed by acoustic panels. These are positioned in the corners of the room, since low-range frequencies gather in these areas and create problems.

3. Sound Diffusers

Diffusers are intended to reduce the sterile feel to sound that sound absorption can create. Absorptive panels and bass traps deaden sound by absorbing it. Whereas, diffusers scatter some of the resonances to add liveliness to the room, while simultaneously reducing sound aberrations like echoes in the room. Diffusers are often applied to the back walls and ceilings.

So, What are the best products for studio acoustic treatment?

Now that we have a general understanding of the various functions of acoustic treatment, let’s dive into our buying guide, shall we? We’ll take a look at acoustic panels, bass traps and diffusers here.

The buying guide below features our top selections for overall acoustic treatment. The options for each category take into consideration price ranges, featuring both budget friendly and high-end items. So, what products do you need for studio acoustic treatment?

Acoustic Panels

Acoustic Panels can vary in terms of cost, especially if you’re deciding between Foam and Fibreglass panels. Have a look at our recommendations below for more details.

1. Auralex Acoustics: Studiofoam Wedgies

To start off our list on the best products for studio acoustic treatment, we’ll introduce these foam panels Auralex Acoustics. For smaller studio areas the panels are truly ideal as they are a little more compact in size and good for spot treating. The panels come in a pack of 24, and they’re each 2 inches thickness, and are 1 x 1 foot in size. They offer a great performance for their affordable cost. The panels not only eradicate flutter-echo issues, but absorb reflected sound waves effectively as well. In addition, the exposed edge surface area can have a diffusion effect when the panels are positioned further apart.

0.80 NRC
Compact size ideal for spot treatment smaller areas
24 pack: 2″ thickness 12″x12″ surface area
Class B fire retardancy

Have a look at the Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies here on Amazon.

2. ATS Wedge Foam Acoustic Panels

If you’re really working with a tight budget, these ATS wedges are really friendly on your pockets. They offer a larger surface than our previous pick. These panels are sized at 24×24 inches in surface area, as well as 2-inches in thickness. The panels come in packs of six.

Despite the fact that they’re slightly larger, they are little lower in density, with a noise reduction coefficient of 0.65. This one factor could make it a little less ideal for more professional set up. However, if you’re just starting out, you need to get some treatment on your wall as soon as possible. These would be a great option for beginner home studios. Check out the panels here on Amazon.

3. Auralex Acoustics: Roominator Absorption Kit

The ideal complete set for smaller studios. The pack is destined to save you a great deal of time in terms of planning and laying out your setup. The absorption kit includes:

18 x DST 112 Panels
18 x DST 114 Panels
36 square feet coverage

The Auralex Acoustics Roominator Absorption kit is ideal for entry-level music producers. It is relatively budget-friendly, taking quantity and effectiveness into account. Have a look at the panel set here on Amazon.

4. Yibuy: 300 x 300mm Fibreglass Panels

Next, on our list of the best products for studio acoustic treatment, we have the first set of fiberglass acoustic panels. As previously discussed, fiberglass panels have increased density in comparison to foam panels. These Yibuy Fiberglass panels offer an enhanced performance when it comes to sound absorption as a result.

These Panels offer:

High Sound Absorption Performance
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) 0.85
Size: 11.8 inches x 11.8 inches x 0.98 inches
Installation Method: Nail Gun or Glue

Have a Look at the Yibuy Fiberglass Panels here on Amazon.

Bass Traps

Next, we take a look at the necessary absorption for lower-range frequencies. Bass traps are a crucial aspect when it comes to professional music studio treatment. When considering the best products for studio acoustic treatment, bass traps will be an inevitable installation in trihedral corners of the room.

1. UA-Acoustics “Pulse” Bass Traps

This is a great choice in terms of budget-friendly bass traps. The bass traps promise to provide an accurate reproduction of low-end frequencies in your home music studio. The Bass traps are super easy to install, and come in packs of 4.

Features:

Dimensions of each: 19.7″x 19.7″ x 4″
2 feet long corner units
Corner mounted between walls and ceilings
Scattering Range: 220Hz – 4000Hz

Have a look at the UA-Acoustics “Pulse” Bass Traps on Amazon.

2. Ultimate Acoustics UA-BTBG Bass Trap Professional Acoustic

This is the next product we’ll introduce for the best products for studio acoustic treatment. These Ultimate Acoustics Bass Traps offer a truly professional studio performance, absorbing low frequencies in the corners of the room with sublime effectivity. The apex of bass traps enhances this effect, as they feature 9 inches in thickness of foam which dampens low range frequencies.

Features:

Dimensions: 12″ x 12″ x 8.5″
24″ length
Accompanying adhesive mounting squares
Offers increased room clarity for recording and monitoring

Check out the pricing for Ultimate Acoustics UA-BTBG Bass Traps here on Amazon.

Acoustic Diffusers

It is pretty common to take the DIY route when it comes to acoustic diffusers. A proper diffusion system in music studio would also entail a wooden structure with cavities that allow for the scattering traveling resonances and echo reduction. This is an advisable element when considering the best products for studio acoustic treatment.

1. BXI: Sound Diffuser – Acoustic Diffusion Panel

The diffusion panel performs well in the reduction of sound defects in the studio. It is readily built and easy to install as a result. The panel is constructed from a high-quality wood, and offers a wider frequency range from 544Hz to 24571Hz.

Features:

Dimensions: 48 x 23 x 6 inches
Reduction of echo and fluttering sounds
Broadband diffusion 544Hz – 24571Hz
Resistant to corrosion
Equal distribution of sonic resonances

Have a look at the BXI Sound Diffuser here on Amazon.

2. ATS Acoustic Diffuser 23 x 23

The next diffusion panel to look at is the ATS Acoustic Diffuser. This is a Quadratic Residue Diffuser, created particularly for the optimal correction of sonic defects such as echo and fluttering.

Features:

Dimensions: 22-7/8″x 22-7/8″ x 6.5″ (20 pound in weight)
High-quality construction wood (birch wood)
7 well panel structure
Broadband diffusion from 350Hz to 3kHz

Have a look at the ATS Acoustic Diffuser panel here on Amazon.

3. JACOVI Acoustic Panel: CoralReef Diffusor Panel

On the more decorative side of things, JACOVI’s CoralReef Diffusor panel offers a 3D controlled dispersion. It is constructed in a high-density polystyrene, with a uniquely indented surface, providing the necessary acoustic diffusion required. The panel is installed on both ceilings and walls.

Features:

Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 x 4.7 inches
Accompanying mounting strips for adhesion
Diffusion level: 0.68 / 100Hz to 5kHz

Check out the JACOVI Diffusor here.

That’s it for our top choices in terms of acoustic treatment. Now that we’ve this article major question, take a look at more recommended gear here.

Also, on the topic of building the best monitoring environment, take a look the best studio monitors for your home music studio.