A test video to see how acoustic foam affects the acoustics of my livestream area.
Note that I subsequently had to add a microphone, as the original acoustics seem to have been creating a natural bass attenuation effect, either by phase cancellation of the low frequencies or accentuation of the mid and high frequencies. The foam gave the bass dominance that swamped the audio a bit, making it less suited to devices with small speakers. That's been fixed now.
You can check that out on the livestream channel BigCliveLive:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIzWmVzGPm2zhNT2XZ-Rkw
The foam was specifically bought from a UK supplier called Soundfix:-
www.soundfix.co.uk (Not a sponsor.)
It was selected for its flame retardant properties, which is extremely important to avoid similar results to the horrific Station Nightclub fire:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire
Or the local Summerland disaster when an entertainment complex made with flammable ceiling tiles, carpet, glazing etc went on fire and many people died at the chained and padlocked fire exits:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summerland_disaster
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

15 thoughts on “Acoustic foam test.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anthony Shiels says:

    On February 14th 1981 the Stardust Nightclub in Dublin caught fire during a St. Valentine's disco.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stephen Belcher says:

    Yes, let’s do a complete spectrum analysis of it Clive

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Truth Defender says:

    big difference

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob P. says:

    Muffled tone with foam

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Teodor Foca says:

    Hello mister Clive, yes, if before it was a tiny bit of a ringing sound, now with the foam is more pleasantly muffled, like in a studio sound. But it has a secondary effect and a very important one. The volume of the sound decreased. While before was 100% , now is 90 or 80%, judging by my ear-o-meter. I suppose you must add a volume sound amplification somewhere on the wires. Interesting thing and I bet is occupying a very large space just for a bit of a muffled sound…hmmm, it is a bit more pleasant than before, I will not lie, but my practical neuron is not completely agreeing with it.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jayster.k.wiseguy says:

    hardly made a difference~ echoes are reduced, still had to money with my graphic equalizer~

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ian Hay says:

    Sadly I reckon the most pronounced effect was that it felt like I had suddenly got a large build up of ear wax. Probably an unintended consequence. Oh well.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Hickman says:

    Better

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Rawlings says:

    much better clive

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ryan Jay says:

    As an engineer who has built a few recording studios – this was exactly the effect I was expecting from your application of this type of foam, and exactly why it's recommended not to just plaster walls in a recording space with this type of foam.
    Both the density and the thickness of the material used will determine the frequencies which the material is capable of absorbing. This is why professional studios use fiberglass acoustic panels, often with thicknesses of 2 to 4 inches. Lower frequencies being longer waves, generally require a much thicker panel to absorb. Absorbing reflections down to low bass frequencies will often require at least 4 inches or more (even more helpful to be placed diagonally in corners with space behind the panel).
    This means the issue with foam like this is that it's only capable of absorbing very high frequencies (which are important for intelligibility), while allowing all of the mid range frequencies to pass through them like they weren't there. You've decreased the reflections in the top end, while doing absolutely nothing about the reflections in the low-mid frequency ranges. This results in the high end frequencies becoming very directional, and the microphone becoming swamped in the low-mid range reflections.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars william johnson says:

    The " boxy "echo was definitely diminished but the treble was also muted .Llike lazorlord10 , below says , EQ will help. surprisingly effective!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stephen McLeod says:

    For whatever reason I thought you were in Australia.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Colgan says:

    I think it's mellowed10 years off your age,
    better than taking 10 years off your life !!

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars phil merrifield says:

    It has made a difference to my ears, I don't know how far the mic is from the walls but I would advise moving it maybe about half an inch to an inch away from the current location. The foam may work a little better. You can tell me to piss off Clive but just a suggestion 😁

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Abe Coulter says:

    carful with that radium behind you, its a bit potent, might make your pee glow if you were to drink it lol

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