How to Build a Bass Trap
A bass trap is a very useful addition to any home recording studio. Many home recording studios use commercial acoustic-canceling foam. This appears to work when you sing or clap; you cannot hear any echo or residual ringing. However, these commercial foams often do not "trap" low-frequency noises. In order to stop these frequencies, you must install a bass trap. These can be made for surprisingly little at home with a few basic tools.
- Two pieces of high-quality pine, cut to 1 inch by 2 inches by 47 inches
- Two pieces of high-quality pine, cut to 1 inch by 2 inches by 21 inches
- Two pieces of burlap, one cut to 60 inches by 40 inches, the other cut to 26 inches by 50 inches
- Sheet of OC703 insulation 4 inches deep, cut to 28 inches by 24 inches (can be acquired from home supply stores)
- 4 drywall screws
- Drill
- Screwdriver drill bit to fit the drywall screws
- Small drill bit, slightly smaller than the drywall screws
- Staple gun
- Staples
Show More
Instructions
-
-
1
Place one of the 21-inch boards so its bottom is along the end of a 47-inch piece. This will make an L shape, with the 21-inch board sitting on top of the end of the 47-inch piece.
-
2
Drill a pilot hole through the 47-inch board into the 21-inch board.
-
-
3
Screw a drywall screw into the pilot hole.
-
4
Place the other end of the 21-inch board against the other 47-inch piece. Connect this side as detailed in the previous steps to build a box with the 21-inch boards between the 47-inch boards.
-
5
Drill a pilot hole and put a screw through the 47-inch board into the 21-inch board as before.
-
6
Attach the other 21-inch board in the same manner to construct a box-shaped frame.
-
7
Take the 26-by-50 piece of burlap and stretch it over the frame, stapling it into place. This is the bass trap backer.
-
8
Lay the 60-by-40 piece of burlap flat. Lay the insulation in the center of the piece of fabric.
-
9
Place the backer onto the insulation with the fabric you just attached facing down.