Soundproofing Blog

Egg Box Style Acoustic Foam

Site Monitor — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:35:28 +0100

Today we launched our new Acoustic "Egg Box" style foam. The acoustic tiles are a popular method of controlling reverberation within studios and music practice rooms. They have a surface that resembles an egg box, hence their name and are an inexpensive method of controlling the acoustics.

Egg Box type acoustic tiles are a popular method of controlling reverberation within studios and music practice rooms. They have a surface that resembles an egg box, hence their name and are an inexpensive method of controlling the acoustics. The uneven surface of these acoustic tiles enables them to absorb a greater range of frequencies and sound waves and the thicker the tiles the more efficiently they will absorb lower frequencies. This is why we offer egg box type tiles with an overall thickness of 40mm and 73mm for those lower frequencies.

Both tiles are available in 762mm sizes with 6 tiles per pack

Egg Box type profiled acoustic foam tiles can be easily fixed with our special Sta-Put aerosol adhesive and are available in any colour you want as long as it is grey. They are flame resistant but if a completely non-flammable sound absorber is required, have a look at our white Foamsorption tiles.

All studios and music practice rooms benefit from the installation of acoustic treatment usually on walls and ceilings and our Egg Box Foam Tiles are an efficient way of breaking up any reverberation and echo within the rooms that would otherwise clutter a mix or recording. No efficient studio is without sound absorbing acoustic tiles along with corner base traps and we can offer acoustic corner traps that will help get the best from your studio when used in combination with the Egg Box acoustic tiles.

Does the profile of foam make a difference to performance?

Yes it does and plain faced acoustic foam and profiled foams both have their pros and cons.
First we will discuss plain foam such as our normal sound absorbing foams. Because these have no profile they can be more effective at absorbing sound due to the fact there is more sound absorbing foam.

Where as with profiled foams with their valleys and troughs, there is not the same volume of sound absorbing foam so there is less sound absorption.
The more foam there is to absorb the frequencies then usually, the better the performance will be. Normally, plain faced acoustic foam give a better sound absorption at lower frequencies and typically, the thicker the foam, the better low-end sound absorption will be. Low frequencies have longer wavelengths that mean thicker sound absorbing foam is required to effectively soak these up. Sound absorbing foams absorb sound in a similar way that a sponge absorbs water. The thicker the sponge, the more water it will soak up. The same can be said for acoustic foam, the thicker the foam, the more efficient it will be at absorbing noise, particularly at the low frequency end but be carefull, too thick a foam can mean less sound absorption for mid to higher frequencies.

This brings us to the downsides of plain faced foam. Plain faced foams do not have the same surface area as profiled egg box type foams so sound hitting the foam, particularly at shallow angles can have a tendency to Bounce off the foam with little or no sound absorption. Correct placing of the foam can reduce this problem but the plain surface of this type of foam may not be aesthetically pleasing which is one of the reasons why you will often see profiled foam in a studio or music practice room.

Egg box and other profiled foams are the preferred choice not only due to their appearance but because they are more efficient at absorbing a wider range of frequencies due to their uneven surface and if the foam is thick enough, will also absorb those annoying lower frequencies. To get the acoustic balance within a room just right, sound absorption of bass notes is a priority and because bass notes usually build up in corners, our plain faced Corner Traps help deal with this instead of a more expensive bass trap. However, if thicker than 73mm sound absorption is required elsewhere, then plain faced foam can be used to build up the thickness and egg box type foam glued on top using our easy to use Sta-Put aerosol adhesive.

As we have said before, profiled sound absorbing foams will trap a greater range of frequencies and will tighten up those mid to high range frequencies that may not necessarily be addressed with thick plain faced foams and will reduce sound reflections within a room. Bass traps will almost certainly be required in addition, to cope with the low end frequencies that are always more difficult to treat and absorb. A combination of profiled foams, plain faced foams and acoustic corner traps will help achieve much better response and control of sound within any room and now means you are able to cut down the reverberation or echo within a room to suit your needs both visually and acoustically.

Noise Resource Library From Sound Service

Site Monitor — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:32:46 +0000

With 40 years experience supplying soundproofing & acoustic materials to the Architectural and home refurb market, Sound Service (Oxford) has now launched its online Noise Resource Library.

Consisting of 30 detailed and varied articles on all types of noise problems from noisy washing machines, how to reduce noise at work and current UK noise law, this page is a must read for all noise sufferers.

Many of the articles have been written by Sound Service’s expert technical team and these have increased in volume over the last 4 decades. Stephen Young explains further,
“We don’t believe in withholding information that will help people reduce domestic noise. Our library of articles is growing daily and we work closely with external agencies like the Noise Abatement Society to ensure we have the answers to all types of noise pollution on our website”

You can view this useful free resource at http://www.soundservice.co.uk/noise-resource.html

40 Years of Sound Service

Site Monitor — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:29:56 +0000

From its humble beginnings supplying car soundproofing in 1969, Sound Service has become one of the best known and respected names for soundproofing materials in the UK.

Based at Crawley Mill in the Cotswold countryside the team of dedicated technical staff ensure you are offered the latest in soundproofing design and innovation and this is partly why they have survived the test of time in a very competitive marketplace.

Architects and designers as well as rival soundproofing companies purchase products from Sound Service as they recognise the quality of materials sold.

In 2008 Sound Service created it's Green Policy and does all it can to reduce it's carbon footprint from manufacture to final delivery to it's customers.

The end of 2008 saw the launch of the company's shopping cart. www.soundproofing-direct.com where customers can now order over 60 % of the main product range with more products being added daily.

When shopping around or thinking of working with a new supplier Sound Service would ask this, Have you been selling your products for 40 years?

D.I.Y Sustainable Soundproofing For The Environmentally Aware

Site Monitor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:27:59 +0000

We’re all becoming more environmentally aware with eco-friendly versions of everything from light bulbs to wall paint. But when it comes to the very fabric of your home, it’s often too late and too expensive to opt for green building materials.

With hundreds of soundproofing solutions available in the current market place for commercial and domestic use, we manufacture from sustainable materials such as recycled rubber where possible.

“Very often, homeowners and tenants want to do their bit for the environment but can’t find a way that fits in with their budget and domestic requirements,” said Stephen Young, Office Manager. “Even in new builds, it’s hard to incorporate eco-friendly materials into things such as walls and floors. But with our range of recycled soundproofing solutions, practical home improvement is both affordable and socially responsible.”

According to World Health statistics, half of the UK population is currently being exposed to more than the recommend levels of noise pollution, making soundproofing materials an excellent starting point for those wanting to go green in their home.

Our 100% recycled rubber Acousticel wall panel is designed to upgrade the sound insulation properties of party walls in the home and all types of domestic properties, the rubber mats are an environmentally friendly way to insulate a noisy neighbour with a minimum loss of room space.

What have we achieved so far?
Replaced 50 % of their soundproofing product range with recycled products or products offering a better sustainable index.
Managed to recycle 146,940 rubber car tires which equates to 1,634 tons of rubber with just two products.

Sound Service Go Super Size !!

Site Monitor — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:26:58 +0100

We are delighted to announce our move to new larger premises on Monday 11th August 2008.

The move to new premises will enable us to continue to deliver and expand our excellent range of Soundproofing and sound insulation products.

We have designed our move so that it minimizes disruption to our customers but we would ask anyone faxing us to call to confirm we have received it. During this period you may experience delays in getting through to us on our main numbers, please be patient.
Our new address will be posted shortly.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sound Service Silence Tube Stations

Site Monitor — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:25:31 +0100

Tube Lines works in partnership with London Underground and is rebuilding the Jubilee line, Northern line and Piccadilly line, which together carry 40% of all London Underground passengers.

Sound Service has recently provided consultation and bespoke design to reduce noise at Tube stations during the early hours of the morning.

“We undertake development work at night when stations are closed and take great care to ensure we don't disturb our neighbours. We therefore needed to find an acoustic product to cover station entrances. We worked with Sound Service to develop a bespoke product, a removable curtain that we are now able to use across the Tube network.

“Their dedicated team was able to accommodate all our technical requirements and we're looking forward to working with them on further noise related issues," says Rachael Labruyere, from Tube Lines’ Environmental Team.

The Acoustic Curtain is now available nationwide.

No More Noisy Shower Pumps

Site Monitor — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:09:43 +0100

You use the Enclosure Kits to reduce reverberation and airborne noise in various size enclosures. Common applications would be Machinery enclosures, small pumps such as showers, plant machinery, compressors, office equipment and domestic appliances.

Supplied in a small and large kit they are not only cost effective but ideal for you to D.I.Y. For more information click HERE

No more vibrating speakers

Site Monitor — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:42:03 +0100

Today we have launched our new speaker isolators. The two new products help decouple the speakers from the source they are sitting on. By doing this you reduce the vibration and increase the quality of sound that the speaker delivers. We now sell a set for studio monitors and small speakers and a load bearing version for subwoofers or gig / PA speakers. Please click here to see the products.

Echosorption PLUS Stops School Back Chat

Site Monitor — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:17:26 +0100

We were called to Hillcross Primary School in Merton, London as their school hall was suffering from a noisy 'echo'. ...