What should be behind monitors? (foam? wall? windows?)

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Something tells me that the enviroment behind my monitors is not
good for mixing. They are currently four inches from the wall, but I have
large windows that recede back from the wall. About 1/2 of each monitor has a
window directly behind it (the other half is simply the wall).

Should I get some large hardboard to cover the window openings
(fitting them inside the window sill would not be a problem)? Is it advisable
to cover the wall directly behind the monitors with something such as sonex
wedge foam?

Thank you.

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Hellenason,

> Should I get some large hardboard to cover the window openings <

That might help to reduce sound transmission into and out of the room, but
it won't do much acoustically. You'll just be substituting one reflective
surface for another.

> Is it advisable to cover the wall directly behind the monitors with
something such as sonex wedge foam? <

I don't think so. The wall behind the monitors is not the best place to
treat - unless you have your speakers pointed that way! Much better is to
treat the first reflection points on the side walls and ceiling, and
possibly the rear wall behind you. You'll also benefit from substantial low
frequency absorption in the room corners. Also, there are better materials
for this than foam. The standard treatment material is rigid fiberglass, or
products made from rigid fiberglass.

Have a look at the Acoustics FAQ, second in the list on my Articles page:

www.ethanwiner.com/articles.html

It explains all of this in detail.

--Ethan

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Tall, well dispersed ferns and stacked blocks of Swiss cheese! :-P

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"Ethan Winer" <ethanw at ethanwiner dot com> wrote in message news:<ormdna8kBKdyS4HcRVn-hw@giganews.com>...

> I don't think so. The wall behind the monitors is not the best place to
> treat - unless you have your speakers pointed that way! Much better is to
> treat the first reflection points on the side walls and ceiling, and
> possibly the rear wall behind you.

FWIW, this advice directly contradicts that of David Moulton & Bob
Hodas, who both advocate what amounts to a poor man's LEDE: the entire
front of the room (not just the 1st reflection points but the entire
wall the monitors are pointing away from) is absorbtive.

OTOH, if you're paying for all that rigid fiberglass on a musician's
income, Ethan's recommendation is far more attractive!