How to Build Your Own Sound Trap
Create Your Own Studio
If you have a space that can be permanently set up for recording your podcast, you can treat the space by hanging sound traps on the wall. They are pretty simple to build, and cost about $25 for materials (per sound trap).
These sound traps are made by putting sound-proof insulation into a 2-by-4-foot wood frame and covering it with a porous fabric like burlap.
The sound trap does exactly what it says, it traps the sound. Without a treated wall, sound leaves a podcaster’s mouth and travels out until it hits a surface. Flat surfaces like walls and windows reflect the sound back to the podcaster, which results in an echo. The sound trap absorbs the sound. Once it hits the insulation, it doesn’t bounce back.
It’s important to use a porous fabric because the sound has to go through the fabric to reach the insulation. If the fabric isn’t porous, it acts as a flat surface and reflects the sound just like a wall or window would. If you’re worried about aesthetics, burlap is available in all sorts of colors and patterns.
Follow the steps below to build your own sound traps. These directions will make two 2x4-foot sound traps. If you have a larger space, you might want to build more.
Here’s a quick tip: many lumber stores will cut lumber for you for a small cost. You can have these cuts made when you purchase your materials and it makes it easier to transport. Some will not make diagonal cuts, so you might still need to do that cut at home.
Tools
Screwdriver
Gloves
Staple gun & Staples
Scissors
Pencil
Tape measure
Saw
Drill
7/64” Drill Bit
Materials
Three (3) 1-inch x 4-inch x 8-foot wood planks
One (1) 1-inch x 3-inch x 10-foot wood plank
2x4-foot Soundproofing Insulation
Drywall screws - 1 5⁄8-inch
Weed barrier fabric
Burlap fabric - 40-inches wide x 3 yards
Four (4) 1 1⁄4-inch cork stoppers (optional)
Build
Measure and mark the lumber
Let’s call our three 1-inch x 4-inch x 8-foot wood planks Plank A, Plank B, and Plank C, and our one 1-inch x 3-inch x 10-foot wood plank Plank D.
Plank A
Using your pencil and tape measure mark Plank A at 47 inches.
From that mark, measure and mark 24.5 inches.
The remaining portion should be another 24.5 inches.
Plank B
Repeat the same steps as Plank A.
Plank C
Measure and mark Plank C at 47 inches.
From that mark, measure and mark another 47 inches.
The remaining portion should be 2 inches.
Plank D
Measure and mark Plank D at 23 inches.
From that mark, measure and mark another 23 inches.
From that mark, measure and mark 9 inches. Repeat this until you’ve marked eight 9-inch sections.
The remaining portion should be 2 inches.
2. Cut lumber
Using your saw, cut lumber at all of the marks made in step one. You will end up with:
Four (4) 1-inch x 4-inch x 47-inch pieces
Four (4) 1-inch x 4-inch x 24.5-inch pieces
Two (2) 1-inch x 3-inch x 23-inch pieces
Eight (8) 1-inch x 3-inch x 9-inch pieces
The eight 1-inch x 3-inch x 9-inch pieces will become corner supports in our frame. Make 45-degree angle cuts on both sides of those pieces to finish the corner piece.
3. Assemble frames
The frames are constructed using a 24.5-inch piece at the top and bottom, a 47-inch piece on each side, a 23-inch piece across the back, and a 9-inch piece in all four corners.
To assemble, start by drilling two pilot holes within 1-inch of each end of the 24.5-inch pieces like the diagram below. The hole should go through to the other side of the piece.
Line up the holes in the 24.5-inch piece with the end of the 47-inch piece creating a right angle with the boards. Using the pilot holes as guides, drill through the 24.5- inch piece into the end of the 47-inch piece.
Insert screws to secure.
Repeat for all corners of both frames.
Put support pieces into place: one 23-inch piece along center of frame and corner pieces into corners. Drill one pilot hole through frame into the support pieces and secure with screws.
4. Adding insulation and fabric
Place insulation into frame. Use gloves to protect your hands.
Flip the frame over. Cover back with weed barrier fabric and staple fabric to frame to secure. Cut excess fabric from the edges with scissors.
Lay burlap on a flat surface.
Place frame front-side down centered on the burlap. Starting with the top of the frame, pull the burlap around the frame and staple to back of frame in the center and corners. Repeat this at the bottom of the frame being sure to pull the burlap tight. Again, repeat these steps with the sides.
Now that the fabric is secure, flip the sound trap over to be sure the fabric is tight across the frame. If not, take out staples and adjust.
When it looks good, flip over and staple the fabric all the way around the frame, so it is secure and tight. Cut off any excess burlap.
5. Treating your space
You now have two 2x4-foot sound traps. You can attach these to the wall using screws that can hold that weight anchored into a stud. To keep the bottom of the frame away from the wall, try screwing 1 1⁄4-inch cork stoppers to the bottom corners of the back of the trap.
Another option is attaching taller planks to the sides of the sound trap and creating legs. The sound trap can then be leaned against a wall.