How to improve acoustics in my practice room?

[Bullitt5135]

This is not another soundproofing question... I promise.

I'm in the process of setting up a practice/jam room in my basement. I'm envisioning a space for a 5-piece rock band to practice. I understand that soundproofing is impractical for a number of reasons, but I would like to do some things to make it sound better in the room. Volume is not an issue -- no close neighbors and the wife is cool with the noise (upstairs family room is somewhat detached from that section of the basement). The space is is drywalled with a drop ceiling and wall-to-wall plush carpet and pad.



Right now, playing bass/stereo only, the room sounds boomey -- I'm guessing because of all the empty space and 90* walls. What kind of DIY solutions can I try to improve the room acoustics? I'm thinking bass traps in corners 1, 2 & 3, and angled or concave deflectors (plywood, soundboard?) on walls 4 & 5. And some kind of shield in front of the kit might help.

Am I on the right track? Am I missing something? Any suggestions for inexpensive DIY bass traps?

Is my drum kit sweet or what?

[fenderhutz]

Wall tapestries of bands or designs I like. I also hung a set of random curtains over the door. Cut out a ton of reflective noise.

Helped my basement quite a bit.

[duff beer]

Other than bass traps, you could put some carpet on the floor, add a suspended ceiling, and get a few overstuffed couches and scatter them around the room. I've done this in my basement (4-piece rock band) and it made a noticeable difference.

Another option is to find some of those panels used in offices to build cube farms. You can add or subract them, or move them around to different locations as you see fit.

[Bullitt5135]

I've heard about stacking rolls of insulation in the corners. I stopped at Lowes and saw this stuff -- pour & rake insulation. The stuff is compressed into bales about 16" x 10" x 4' and cost around $15 per bale. Smaller footprint than the rolls. Do you think this would work, perhaps hiding it behind some decorative fabric?

[geeza]

Hang stuff on the walls - thin area rugs/ carpeting, burlap or other rough material...