Acoustic tapes are a standard accessory used in recording studios for sound absorption. Acoustic tapes come in rolls and can be easily cut to size with a pair of scissors. They are made from porous material and allow sound waves to pass through, which can later be absorbed by another surface rather than being re-amplified by the room’s walls or ceiling. Acoustic tape is often used along with bass traps, which absorb low-frequency sounds, and diffusers, which scatter sound waves to avoid standing waves that can cause echoes.
In contrast to acoustic tile, Acoustic foam does not have a “one size fits all” application. Acoustic foam’s main purpose is for sound absorption, but the effectiveness of Acoustic foam is largely dependent on a room’s design and function. Acoustic tiles work in a variety of spaces such as classrooms, office buildings, studios, and auditoriums.
Acoustic foam has a recommended application for specific types of rooms—for instance, Acoustic foam works well in areas where privacy is needed, such as vocal booths, control rooms, and phone booths. Acoustic foam is also recommended for open plan areas where sound might be obtrusive. Acoustic foam can also help to cut costs by reducing heating bills in the winter and air conditioning usage in the summer months. Acoustic tiles are generally more effective than Acoustic foam because Acoustic tile is denser and has a greater surface area to help absorb sound.
Acoustic foam is generally used in smaller spaces, where Acoustic tile might be too large to effectively absorb the intended amount of noise. Acoustic foam is also effective when needing to reduce sudden bursts of noise, while Acoustic tiles are better for long-term noise reduction. Acoustic foam is also generally less expensive than Acoustic tile. Acoustic tiles are more effective for large, open spaces, while Acoustic foam works well in smaller areas where the noise level needs to be reduced immediately.
Acoustic tile can help to reduce reverberation and echoes, which occur when sound bounces off of hard surfaces. Acoustic tiles are recommended for areas such as gymnasiums, churches, and auditoriums where Acoustic tile can help to reduce noise and improve sound quality. Acoustic foam is not as effective in large open rooms because Acoustic foam cannot trap or absorb lower frequencies. Acoustic foam works well for short-term noise blocking, such as reducing the noises associated with machinery noise and construction work. Acoustic tiles are recommended for studios and other spaces where long term noise reduction is needed.
Acoustic tape absorbs sound waves at a certain frequency by means of friction . Acoustical foams prevent echoes that occur when sound reflects off hard surfaces, which creates reverberation. The acoustic layer of your recording studio should be designed based on its purpose. If you want to control the sound that your studio produces, you should install Acoustic tiles. Acoustic foam is effective for soundproofing, absorbing short bursts of noise and reducing the overall volume in a room. Acoustic tape is recommended for areas where privacy is desired, such as vocal booths, control rooms, and phone booths.