Acoustic foam is a lightweight material made of polyurethane, fiberglass or melamine. It is cut into strips and put up on the walls of a recording studio or a similar type of environment to act as a sound absorber and enhance the sound quality in a room. Sound absorption is different than soundproofing, which is typically used to keep sound from escaping a room. Acoustic foam works by controlling the reverb or echo that sound can make by traveling through a room and bouncing off walls. It results in a cleaner sound recording, free of echoes and background noises.
Acoustic foam is primarily used in recording studios to minimize sound echoes. However, it can perform the same function in home theaters, manufacturing facilities, equipment warehouses, home offices, gymnasiums and auditoriums. It can be placed in any room where an optimal sound mix is desired.
Acoustic foam is available in several different cuts and styles. Most varieties of the foam are 2 to 3 inches thick and can be cut into panels. One common panel dimension is 2 feet by 4 feet. Most acoustic foam varieties are black, gray or charcoal in color, although some manufacturers dye the foam in oranges, browns, blues and other shades. Acoustic foam can also be made to fit into corners or unusual spaces of a room.
Acoustic foam can be placed to completely line the walls and ceiling of a room and minimize the bass or reverb sounds from a recording. However, this method can also detract from all possible sound disruptions and make a recording sound sterile. On the flip side, putting up too few acoustic foam strips around a room can allow too many sound disruptions to wind up in a recording. Once a good acoustic-foam-to-wall ratio has been established, the strips of foam can be cut and glued onto a cardboard or wood paneling frame. Once they dry, the strips can then be tacked up to the walls of a room. The strips should be placed in symmetrical patterns around the room to achieve the best balance in sound. Acoustic foam can also be cut into smaller panels or even customized shapes using an electric carving knife.