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When it comes to changing your space's acoustics, acoustic panels are a powerful tool. These panels work wonders. They tame echoes, reduce noise, and clarify sound. However, to unlock their full potential, proper placement is key. In this guide, we'll cover the art of optimal acoustic panel placement. It will help you create a harmonious sound environment that truly resonates.
Inside the World’s Most Iconic Music Studios
Ever wonder what makes the sound inside legendary studios so remarkable? These world-class facilities are famous not just for their clients, but for their acoustics. Studying their design can provide inspiration (and even a few lessons) for your own studio build.
Abbey Road Studios – London, UK
Perhaps the most famous studio on Earth, Abbey Road has been at the forefront of music recording since the 1930s. It’s where The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Adele recorded groundbreaking albums.
Acoustic fact: Studio One is one of the largest purpose-built recording spaces in the world, with diffusive wooden surfaces and floating floors designed to support full orchestras while keeping clarity and warmth intact.
Electric Lady Studios – New York, USA
Built by Jimi Hendrix in 1970, Electric Lady is a blend of music history and futuristic design. Designed by architect John Storyk, the studio features non-parallel walls, asymmetrical geometry, and extensive bass absorption - all aimed at eliminating standing waves and early reflections.
Acoustic fact: The studio’s unique curved walls were revolutionary at the time and are now a standard design strategy in modern control rooms.
Hansa Studios – Berlin, Germany
Located near the Berlin Wall, Hansa Studios became the heart of avant-garde rock and electronic music in the '70s and '80s. David Bowie, U2, and Depeche Mode all recorded here.
Acoustic fact: The Meistersaal, a grand hall with natural reverb and wooden panels, gives recordings a haunting spatial quality that shaped the sound of Bowie’s “Heroes” and U2’s “Achtung Baby.”
Fascinating? Now, let's help you master the placement of acoustic panels in your music studio!
1. Identify Reflection Points
Begin by identifying reflection points. These are surfaces where sound waves bounce and create echoes. Sound waves bounce off the reflection points. These points include areas like walls, ceilings, and corners. This bouncing creates echoes. Focusing on three key reflection points can greatly enhance acoustics. These are the mirror points. It sits between the loudspeaker and the listener. There are also the side walls with the speakers. The ceiling is between the speakers and the listener.
Placing acoustic panels at these points will intercept and absorb these reflections, preventing sound from becoming muddy and indistinct.
See the infographics at the end of the article.
2. The First Reflection Point for Speakers
For optimal sound quality, address the first reflection point for your speakers. This point is where a direct line runs between your speakers and ears. To find this crucial area, sit in your listening position. Picture where the sound from your speakers hits the side walls before coming back to you.
Acoustic panels should be placed at this intersection. They should be at ear level. This placement minimises the impact of reflected sound waves. It ensures you hear music or dialogue clearly without interference.
3. The Ceiling
Don't forget about the ceiling! Vertical reflections are crucial in any recording space. Managing overhead echoes can greatly impact your audio. They hurt its clarity and precision.
You can reduce sound bounce. Do this by hanging Echo Moon Acoustic Hanging Textile Baffles from the ceiling. This will improve audio accuracy during recording and mixing.
Also, to the Echo Moon, the Echo Cloud baffle is another innovative solution. It manages sound reflections from the ceiling. Similarly, the Echo Cloud baffles scattered sound waves. They keep the waves from connecting and causing an echo in your studio. Also, you can easily change your ceiling. It will become a dynamic part of your studio's design.
4. Corners Matter
Corners are notorious for trapping sound and creating boomy bass. Bass traps in room corners prevent low-frequency buildup. They make the audio cleaner and more defined. To maintain balanced sound dispersion, you can also add high-frequency panels to corners.
5. Using and Diffusing
When aiming for great acoustics in your music studio, diffuser placement is key.
A general guideline is to place diffusers where sound reflections are prominent. This is on the walls behind speakers or in recording areas. This placement helps scatter sound waves. It reduces reflections and improves your space's sonic clarity.
Save the infographics at the end of the article for later acoustic guidance.
6. Behind You
Addressing the area behind you is equally important. Placing panels behind your listening position can help absorb sound that escapes. This enhances overall sound clarity while ensuring a comfortable listening experience for everyone.
7. Wall-to-Wall Placement
Consider placing panels across the whole wall. This will give uniform sound absorption. This is very effective. It is especially true in large spaces. Sound waves can easily bounce around.
Wall-to-wall placement ensures a consistent auditory experience, minimising variations in sound quality.
8. Mixing and Matching
Different panels serve different purposes. Foam sound absorbers are great for controlling sound reflections. Diffusers scatter sound waves for a more natural ambience.
Using different panel types can absorb excess sound and keep a lively atmosphere. Consider the powerful combo of wood acoustic panels. Also, think of textile acoustic panels and bass traps.
9. Test and Adjust
Acoustic panel placement is not an exact science. It's important to test different arrangements and listen to the changes in sound.
Start with a few panels. Gradually add more while assessing the sound improvements. Your ears are your best guide in finding the perfect arrangement.
10. Consider Aesthetics
Acoustic panels don't have to be unattractive or visually displeasing. DECIBEL offers customisable panels that can blend seamlessly with your decor.
By using these panels as design elements, you get better acoustics and a nicer look.
11. Experiment and Enjoy
Acoustic panel placement is a dynamic process. As you experiment with arrangements, remember the goal. It's to create a sound space that fits your tastes.
With time and effort, you'll find the arrangement. It brings out the best in your space's acoustics.
Visit our Gallery to get some visual inspiration.
BONUS: Exclusive Pro Tip From Our Acousticians
Crafting the perfect acoustic environment in your music studio is key. One concept has gained popularity among both listeners and directors: LEDE - Live End Dead End. This new approach divides your studio into two halves. Each has a unique purpose in improving sound quality.
In the first half, called the "Dead End," you'll find acoustic panels and bass traps. They create a tightly absorbed area near the speakers. This zone is designed to capture and remove unwanted reflections from your speakers. By doing so, it ensures that the sound remains pure and unaltered, free from distortion.
On the other side, we have the "Live End." This half of the room starts at the midpoint between your ears and goes back. It has diffusers. These diffusers scatter sound waves. They do so in a way that mimics the acoustics of everyday living spaces like a cosy living room or a bedroom. This diffusion effect makes the sound soft and pleasant. It stops it from being dry or overly controlled.
The LEDE concept's genius is its ability to create surround sound. It does this while eliminating disruptive reflections. It's the perfect mix of absorption and diffusion. It gives the best acoustics for your music studio.
To take your LEDE setup further, try changing where you place the panels. Also, change how many you use and what types. Adjusting these elements can help you get the exact sound you want. It lets you customise your studio's sound to your tastes.
Remember, LEDE is flexible. So, adjust and refine it until you find the sweet spot that makes your music shine.
Different Studio Setups = Different Panel Strategies
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to acoustic panel placement. Every music studio has its own purpose, layout, and sonic challenges, and your treatment strategy should reflect that.
Here’s how to optimise panel placement based on the function of your studio:
Vocal Booths & Podcast Spaces
In compact rooms designed for voice recording, controlling early reflections is critical. Hard, parallel surfaces in small spaces cause flutter echoes and comb filtering, which distort vocal clarity.
Treatment strategy:
- Place acoustic panels directly behind and around the microphone.
- Cover opposing walls and the ceiling with high-density panels
- Use a carpet or rug to tame floor reflections.
Mixing & Mastering Rooms
These studios require precise sound reproduction for critical listening. Here, acoustic balance is more important than pure absorption.
Treatment strategy:
- Place panels at the first reflection points
- Install bass traps in all corners to control low-end buildup.
- Combine absorption and diffusion - flat absorption kills life; diffusion adds spatial depth without colouration.
Hybrid Production Studios
In multi-purpose rooms where you compose, record, and mix, flexibility is key. The goal is to keep a balanced acoustic profile that works well for various activities.
Treatment strategy:
- Use modular or movable panels to adapt the space to different needs.
- Focus on mid-frequency control with PET-Felt or fabric-wrapped panels behind the desk, speakers, and across the rear wall.
- Add ceiling baffles panels to reduce overall reverb and harshness.
Remember that optimal acoustic panel placement is a blend of science and creativity. You can turn your space into a haven for sound. Do this by placing panels at reflection points. Also, put them in corners, ceilings, and behind your listening area. However, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. It's about finding the setup that fits your space and preferences.
So, let the experimentation begin and enjoy a soundscape that truly sings.
Don’t forget to check out our infographics below.
Download the infographics as an e-book HERE.
