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 Sweetwater Showcase: Rebate Center
Sweetwater Showcase: Rebate Center
Did you know that there are several ways to save at Sweetwater beyond our incredible prices and unprecedented service? Turn your browser to our online Rebate Center where you'll find a TON of Manufacturer Rebates on keyboards, preamps, computers, mixers, monitors and more. If saving a buck or two sounds interesting (and why wouldn't it?), check out our Rebate Center, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer and tell him to hook you up, and then wait for the savings to roll in! Check it out today.
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| Sound Transmission Loss |
Sound Transmission Loss (STL) represents the amount of sound, in decibels (dB), that is isolated by a material or partition in a particular octave or 1/3 octave frequency band. Example: 1/2" drywall has an STL at 125 Hz of 15 dB.
Comparing material or partition performances for applications like recording studio isolation and sound proofing should involve comparing the STLs of each in the different bands, as opposed to just the more generic STC ratings of a material. If both materials or partitions are measured in accordance with the STL/STC standard, ASTM E90, then the comparisons being made will be "apples to apples." It should be noted that real-world performance is not going to provide the same level of STL that is achievable in the laboratory. However, the relative performance of one material or partition versus another typically holds true in real-world construction. i.e., if the lab measures one partition better than another, it should hold true for a real partition built in your studio. Even though an actual field test of a concrete wall might reveal a field STC (FSTC) that is 5 points lower than the lab test, it is still better - relatively speaking - than a simple, single-leaf, uninsulated drywall partition in the same configuration. |
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| Auralex diffusors explained. |
Q: "What's the difference between the Auralex T'Fusors, MiniFusors and MetroFusors?"
A: T'Fusor is Auralex's highest quality diffusor. Made of a thermoplastic resin, T'Fusors are very hard (and durable) and are effective at diffusing sound almost completely, above 500 Hz. You can increase the low-end performance slightly (and decrease some 250 to 300 Hz resonances) by back-filling the T'Fusors with loose insulation or leftover Studiofoam. T'Fusors will drop into any 2'x2' ceiling grid or mount directly to a wall using Velcro strips, trim strips, nails, screws (with anchors as appropriate), etc.
MiniFusors are also made of a high-quality thermoplastic like their big brother, the T'Fusor. The main differences are that MiniFusors are 12''x12'' and are not quite as diffusive. MiniFusors can also be back-filled to improve low-mid performance. One main advantage is that MiniFusors are more cost-effective than T'Fusors.
MetroFusors is Auralex's answer to the industry-wide request for more cost-effective, lower-profile diffusion. MetroFusors are made of high-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) and are only 2'' thick at their deepest point. (By comparison, T'Fusors are about 6'' and MiniFusors are about 5'' deep.) Because they are much thinner, performance below 2000 Hz rolls off significantly. Also, because they are so inexpensive to produce compared to T'Fusors and MiniFusors, Auralex forwent any testing. At this point you might be saying, ''Then why should I buy them?'' Our answer is simply: They work! MetroFusors are the best way to get a little bit of diffusion for not a lot of cash. |
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