DIY Acoustic Panels

I built some DIY acoustic panels to help cut down on the reverb in my room when recording audio. If you are building a home studio, this project is a great and relatively inexpensive way to make your own acoustic panels!

Step 1: Materials

1x4 boards

Fabric: Pick whatever you'd like and that would match the room you are putting the panels in

Insulation: https://thd.co/2Y5WbMS

Screen Door Material: https://thd.co/2JqM8yO

Stapler: https://amzn.to/2TUjcDv

Staples: https://amzn.to/2Weeq0Z

Drywall Anchors: https://amzn.to/2TmQmHf

D-Ring Hangers: https://amzn.to/2HD99Nt

Step 2: Cutting the Boards to Length

2x 48" x 1"x4" per panel

2x 23" x 1"x4" per panel

Step 3: Glue Up the Boards

I used some glue on my joints so they're a little stronger after I nail them together.

Step 4: Fasten Them Together

I used a brad nailer for this, but you could use small screws and some butt joints, or pocket hole joints, do whatever your heart desires.

Step 5: Add Screen Material

I used screen door material to hold in the insulation, I probably put on too many staples but better safe than sorry.

Step 6: Add Insulation

I just used a piece and a half of insulation in my panels, if you decide to make a different size, you may use less or more.

Step 7: Add More Screen

I added more screen on the other side as well.

Step 8: Cover in Fabric

I stretched fabric over the front of the panels, you really gotta stretch it out and make sure to add staples frequently.

Step 9: Trim the Excess

Trim the excess fabric away, I also used hot glue to secure the little bit left so it didn't flap around.

Step 10: Hang It Up

I used drywall anchors and d-ring hangers to hang up the panels.

Step 11: You're Done!

And that's it, enjoy some reverb reduction!

Comments

[curtishoward3]

Hi,

I have some theatre flats that are these dimension, but one side is luan, could I still make them into sound dampeners? Instead of the sound going through the wall, it would hit the underside of the luan.

[Geoffery J]

Neat project. Will try this out.

[TechnicalJohn]

Something else to try ... BATH TOWELS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pABvTWSxOes&t=1s

[Make And Repeat]

I saw that when doing the research for these! I couldn't find enough second-hand towels to make my panels, so I decided to make these in a way that could be done by anyone with access to a Home Depot or Lowes.

[GaryS319]

These would not meet fire code for public spaces, right?

[Make And Repeat]

I am not sure, the insulation itself is fire retardant, but I'm not sure the requirements for using these in a public space.

[ArthurJ5]

I made some of these and they are remarkably effective. One thing you can do to reduce midrange is to use plywood instead of the screen on the back, then set the panels off of the wall by four inches or so. Theory is the sound travels thru the insulation losing the treble and some midrange then hits the panel losing some midrange then bounces off the wall and goes back through. This works better with double drywall construction. If you add feet or legs to the panels with one side plywood or pegboard they work well for placing around the recording studio to eliminate standing waves or to isolate musicians like animal the drummer from the vocalist.

[Make And Repeat]

I'd really love to make some variations of these and see which ones work better, but realistically these worked pretty darn well and I don't have a real need or room for more. I've got some friends wanting me to make them some, and I may experiment with those and see what results I get. Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it!