Acoustic absorption for desk surfaces

[Magnetic Services]

I just got a new desk that has a very large work surface, which I love, but I realize it's going to introduce some reflections (my old setup was arranged in such a way that this wasn't an issue).

Has anyone here used acoustic absorption on their actual work surface, as opposed to walls? If so, what has worked for you? I'm not trying to achieve acoustical perfection here, just considering a little strip in front of each speaker to absorb direct reflections. Ideally looking for something low-profile and minimally invasive - not trying to glue chunky foam pads to my desk.

Thanks!

[drumsound]

How about a modified rubber floor mat that you could cut to fit all the surfaces?

[roscoenyc]

Treating the ceiling above your desk/listening area is so much more important.

[Magnetic Services]

Treating the ceiling above your desk/listening area is so much more important.

Luckily, my ceiling has a texture which gives it a bit of diffusion. Unluckily, it would be tricky to hang a cloud from. Maybe I'll consider some absorption up there in the future, but for now I'm just talking about the desk.

[Magnetic Services]

How about a modified rubber floor mat that you could cut to fit all the surfaces?

Good idea, but do you think rubber would be absorbent enough?

My Be Quiet PC case has got some sort of acoustic padding on the inside panels, sort of like this but higher quality: https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01 ... 6811999222. Something like that might work; I hope the adhesive isn't too intense for my poor desk.

[roscoenyc]

How about a modified rubber floor mat that you could cut to fit all the surfaces?

Good idea, but do you think rubber would be absorbent enough?

My Be Quiet PC case has got some sort of acoustic padding on the inside panels, sort of like this but higher quality: https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01 ... 6811999222. Something like that might work; I hope the adhesive isn't too intense for my poor desk.

Nope, that'll just bounce the sound back up to the ceiling where it will bounce back to you.

[Scodiddly]

PRODUCT IDEA!!!

A bunch of 3D printed, random sized pyramids that fit over and around the knobs on the mixer. You can move them out of the way while you're working on a particular channel.

[Nick Sevilla]

We once dressed up the singer in Auralex.

Does that count?



I would worry only if you really NOTICE reflections coming off the surface, any surface really.

[drumsound]

How about a modified rubber floor mat that you could cut to fit all the surfaces?

Good idea, but do you think rubber would be absorbent enough?

My Be Quiet PC case has got some sort of acoustic padding on the inside panels, sort of like this but higher quality: https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01 ... 6811999222. Something like that might work; I hope the adhesive isn't too intense for my poor desk.

If it was that slightly porous stuff, I'm not sure of the name, but basically like a mousepad material (with or without the fabric part).

[Magnetic Services]

How about a modified rubber floor mat that you could cut to fit all the surfaces?

Good idea, but do you think rubber would be absorbent enough?

My Be Quiet PC case has got some sort of acoustic padding on the inside panels, sort of like this but higher quality: https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01 ... 6811999222. Something like that might work; I hope the adhesive isn't too intense for my poor desk.

If it was that slightly porous stuff, I'm not sure of the name, but basically like a mousepad material (with or without the fabric part).

I did consider just cutting up some mousepads

[vvv]

I did consider just cutting up some mousepads

But ...


... that'll make 'em walk funny.

[Scodiddly]

I just had one of my trademark wacky ideas, and had to try it out. And as you'll see, it gives a measurable improvement! Please excuse my lame little mixer, but that's all I have at home.

Here's my idea. You put wooden (or whatever, really) slats across the mixer, standing upright between the rows of knobs. The slats go horizontally across, to keep the sound from reflecting off the top surface of the mixer towards the listener. You can still get at the knobs with only minor inconvenience, and the total cost of this is miniscule. I'd imagine that staggering the spacing would help, as well as using more absorptive materials.

Mixer with slats.JPG (143.34 KiB) Viewed 2250 times

Here's the transfer function without slats:

Mixer without slats.PNG (50.5 KiB) Viewed 2250 times

And here's with the slats. Notice how it's flatter above 1.5KHz.

Mixer with slats.PNG (51.56 KiB) Viewed 2250 times

[The Scum]

Script trolley/score trolley, with a sheet of 703 on it?

Or knobs spaced using QRD?

[digitaldrummer]

i use the Rubbermaid equivalent of this (because I found it locally) under my studio monitors (which are set on bricks), but I wonder if it might be useful in covering some areas - it's soft and also a weave pattern, so might cause more diffusion than just straight reflections... or it might be completely useless.

https://www.amazon.com/DAZZ-8714388-Tau ... =8-26&th=1

shelfliner.jpg

also, if you were not using all functions of the mixer, maybe you could just cover part with a standard bath towel? cheap, easy to move, and washable.

[drumsound]

I did consider just cutting up some mousepads
[/quote]

Probably a cheap way to go...

I did consider just cutting up some mousepads

But ...


... that'll make 'em walk funny.

What a card...

i use the Rubbermaid equivalent of this (because I found it locally) under my studio monitors (which are set on bricks), but I wonder if it might be useful in covering some areas - it's soft and also a weave pattern, so might cause more diffusion than just straight reflections... or it might be completely useless.

https://www.amazon.com/DAZZ-8714388-Tau ... =8-26&th=1
shelfliner.jpg

also, if you were not using all functions of the mixer, maybe you could just cover part with a standard bath towel? cheap, easy to move, and washable.

The Rubbermaid stuff seems like a decent idea. The towel, I'd worry about overheating. Most electronics radiate heat, and if there's nowhere for it to escape, it can be damaging.