Acoustics

Best Placement for Acoustic Clouds to Avoid Reflections Welcome to the Des Grey Mastering Blog—your source for expert audio insights, tips, and recommendations. Explore mastering techniques, gear reviews, and industry trends to elevate your sound and inspire your next project. Best Placement for Acoustic Clouds to Avoid Reflections in Any Room Size Acoustic clouds help control early reflections, flutter echoes, and ceiling reflections, leading to better clarity and a balanced sound environment. Their placement depends on the room size, shape, and purpose (mixing, mastering, or general recording). Here’s a universal guide for any studio or listening space: 1. Primary Cloud: Above the Listening Position (Mix Position) ✅ Why? The ceiling is a major early reflection point that causes comb filtering and phase issues. Placing a cloud here absorbs these reflections before they reach your ears. Placement Guidelines: Position: Directly above the mixing or listening position, covering the space between your speakers and ears. Size: Small rooms: At least 120cm x 120cm (4ft x 4ft) Large rooms: 180cm x 120cm (6ft x 4ft) or more Thickness: Minimum 100mm (4 inches), but 150mm (6 inches) is better for low-frequency absorption. Gap from Ceiling: 50-100mm (2-4 inches) for improved efficiency. 2. Secondary Clouds: Front Reflection Zone ✅ Why? Helps reduce reflections from the ceiling before they reach your ears. Essential in larger rooms where multiple reflection points exist. Placement Guidelines: Install a cloud between the listening position and the front wall, in line with your speakers. In longer rooms, additional clouds can be placed in sequence, creating a continuous absorption path. Same thickness & air gap as the primary cloud for consistency. 3. Rear Ceiling Cloud (For Larger Rooms & Recording Spaces) ✅ Why? Controls late reflections that can muddy the sound in larger rooms. Helps reduce flutter echoes in untreated spaces. Placement Guidelines: Position the cloud above any rear seating or diffuser area. If the rear wall is treated with diffusers, clouds can be smaller or placed in a checkerboard pattern. 4. Additional Clouds for Large or Irregular Rooms ✅ Why? Some rooms require extra treatment to reduce excess reverb and echoes. Placement Considerations: Hallways or open spaces: Use floating clouds in key areas where sound reflections are strongest. High ceilings (over 3m / 10ft): Use angled clouds to direct reflections away from the listening area. Multi-purpose rooms: Removable or adjustable clouds can be useful for adaptable acoustics. Cloud Design & Installation Tips Frame Material: Wood or aluminum for a sturdy build. Fabric: Breathable acoustic fabric (e.g., Guilford of Maine) for effective absorption. Mounting: Suspended with wire hangers for flexibility in height. Z-clips or brackets for fixed, flush-mounted installations. How to Test Placement? ✅ Mirror Trick: Move a mirror along the ceiling while sitting at your mix position—where you see the speakers is where reflections occur, making it the ideal placement spot for clouds. ✅ Measurement: Use Room EQ Wizard (REW) or an impulse response app to test how much unwanted reflection is being reduced.

Tips for better room acoustic measurements. Welcome to the Des Grey Mastering Blog—your source for expert audio insights, tips, and recommendations. Explore mastering techniques, gear reviews, and industry trends to elevate your sound and inspire your next project. Improving room acoustic measurements is essential for achieving accurate sound analysis and optimizing your listening or recording environment. Here are some tips to ensure better results: ### 1. **Choose the Right Measurement Tools** Use reliable measurement software (e.g., Room EQ Wizard, SMAART, or FuzzMeasure) and a high-quality calibrated measurement microphone. Avoid using consumer-grade microphones, as they may not provide accurate data. ### 2. **Set Up Proper Microphone Placement** Position the microphone at the listening or recording position, typically at ear height for seated listening. Use a tripod to stabilize the mic and avoid reflections from nearby surfaces. ### 3. **Use a Test Signal** Employ a full-range test signal, such as a sine sweep or pink noise, to capture the full frequency response of the room. Ensure the signal is played at an appropriate volume to avoid distortion or noise interference. ### 4. **Minimize Background Noise** Conduct measurements in a quiet environment. Turn off HVAC systems, fans, and other noise sources that could skew the results. ### 5. **Take Multiple Measurements** Capture data from several positions within the listening area to account for variations in the room’s acoustic response. Average these measurements for a more accurate representation. ### 6. **Account for Room Modes and Reflections** Be aware of room modes (standing waves) and reflections that can affect measurements. Use bass traps, diffusers, and absorbers to address these issues before measuring. ### 7. **Measure at Different Times** Room acoustics can vary depending on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. Take measurements at different times to ensure consistency. ### 8. **Analyze Both Frequency and Time Domain** Examine not only the frequency response but also the time domain (e.g., waterfall plots, impulse responses) to identify decay times and resonances. ### 9. **Calibrate Your System** Ensure your playback system (speakers, amplifiers, etc.) is properly calibrated and functioning correctly before taking measurements. ### 10. **Interpret Data Carefully** Use the measurements to identify problem areas, but also trust your ears. Acoustic treatment should aim to improve both measurable and perceived sound quality. By following these tips, you can achieve more accurate and reliable room acoustic measurements, leading to better-informed decisions for treating and optimizing your space.