--- title: Duvaltex | Sounding off on acoustic panels | Duvaltex description: Find out how to turn your home into a professional recording or practice space with the use of acoustic panels and fabrics. --- [![Duvaltex-logo_noir](https://go.duvaltex.com/hubfs/Logos/Duvaltex-logo_noir.svg "Duvaltex-logo_noir")](https://duvaltex.com/en-us) [![Duvaltex-logo_noir](https://go.duvaltex.com/hubfs/Logos/Duvaltex-logo_noir.svg "Duvaltex-logo_noir")](https://duvaltex.com/en-us) - [About](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/about) English - English - [Français](https://go.duvaltex.com/fr/nouvelles) - [Sign In](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/customer/sign-in) - [Cart](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/cart) - [Contract textiles](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/contract-textiles) - [Protective textiles](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/protective-textiles) - [Innovation](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/innovation) - [News & insights](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights) - [Life at Duvaltex](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/life-at-duvaltex) - [Contract textiles](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/contract-textiles) - [Protective textiles](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/protective-textiles) - [Innovation](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/innovation) - [News & insights](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights) - [Life at Duvaltex](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/life-at-duvaltex) - [About](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/about) - [Contact us](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/contact) [Knowledge](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/knowledge) [Inspiration](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/inspiration) # Sounding off on acoustic panels by [Duvaltex](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/author/duvaltex) 2 minute read Jun 13, 2023 If you’re a musician, you know that accessing professional recording or practice spaces can be a major challenge, especially these days. While many of us are working from home, the idea of converting your basement or garage into an acoustically enhanced studio can seem like a far-fetched dream. But armed with a bit of knowledge and the right materials, you can significantly improve the sound in any room without breaking the bank. Start by adding a few [acoustic panels](https://duvaltex.com/en-us/contract-textiles/panel-acoustic) and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can turn that spare room into a slick recording studio. ![avery-klein-JaXs8Tk5Iww-unsplash-B-1](https://go.duvaltex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/avery-klein-JaXs8Tk5Iww-unsplash-B-1.jpg?width=2000&height=3000&name=avery-klein-JaXs8Tk5Iww-unsplash-B-1.jpg) ### Controlling the way sound reflects within a room is key. Sound can be dampened or manipulated with easy-to-install foam and fabric-covered wall panels that absorb and deflect noise in different ways. The science of sound is complex, but when it comes to acoustic material, there are really two main factors to consider: the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) and the Absorption Coefficient.   Where art meets science The Noise Reduction Coefficient is a numerical rating between 0 and 1 that represents how much sound is reflected or absorbed by a material. The higher the number, the better the absorption. Hard materials like tile and drywall have lower NRCs, while softer materials such as foam or carpeting have higher NRCs. For materials with similar NRCs, it is also important to compare absorption coefficients. The Absorption Coefficient is a number that indicates how well a material absorbs sound in a particular octave or at a given frequency. Think the heavy bass of a dance beat vs. a high-pitched operatic soprano. Foam In choosing acoustic material, you basically have two options: acoustic foam and acoustic panels. Foam is an excellent (and less expensive) sound absorber. Also called open-celled foam, it often looks like a series of cones or triangles. Affixed to the wall, acoustic foam helps to remove residual noise and improve sound quality. It’s particularly good at dampening high-end frequencies. But the thicker the foam, the better it is at absorbing low-frequency sounds as well. Acoustic panels In terms of sound enhancement, acoustic panels are a step up from foam. They’re made from much denser material, which allows them to absorb a wider range of frequencies. You’ll find acoustic panels in most professional recording studios, and while they may be pricier than foam, they’re definitely worth the investment and will noticeably improve the sound of your studio. Fabrics that reflect your personality, not your sound Another plus when it comes to acoustic panels: you can personalize them with a fabric covers! Here, it’s important to keep sound transparency in mind. Acoustic fabric is specially made to let sound pass through it. This allows the panels behind it to deflect frequencies the way they’re designed to. Remember, the higher a fabric’s NRC, the better it is at absorbing sound. Duvaltex sells fabric with NRCs ranging from 0.9 to 1.00, which allows little-to-no sound to be reflected. Creating the perfect acoustic environment may seem like a daunting task, but with Guildford of Maine fabrics, you can build your dream studio right at home. While these products won’t soundproof a room, they will go a long way to improving sound within the space. Whether you’re a podcaster, music teacher, or recording artist, fabric-covered acoustic panels can really up your pro game. Sounds pretty good!   **About Duvaltex** Duvaltex is North America's largest office furniture textile manufacturer and leading protective textiles provider. By enhancing people's well-being and safety, Duvaltex specializes in the design and production of advanced textile solutions and sustainable textile materials. Duvaltex is committed to changing the way products are made, used and reused, creating value for future generations.   #### Follow us [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/sounding-off-on-acoustic-panels&text=Duvaltex%20|%20Sounding%20off%20on%20acoustic%20panels%20|%20Duvaltex) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/sounding-off-on-acoustic-panels&t=Duvaltex%20|%20Sounding%20off%20on%20acoustic%20panels%20|%20Duvaltex) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/sounding-off-on-acoustic-panels&t=Duvaltex%20|%20Sounding%20off%20on%20acoustic%20panels%20|%20Duvaltex) Previous story [← How acoustic fabric is tested?](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/how-acoustic-fabric-is-tested) Next story [Studio 54 Legendary Performance Fabric →](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/studio-54-legendary-performance) ### You May Also Like These Related Stories [Designed for disinfection](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/designed-for-disinfection) ![Seating Input 5598](https://go.duvaltex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seating%20Input%205598.jpg?width=2500&height=1878&name=Seating%20Input%205598.jpg) [Knowledge](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/knowledge) [Inspiration](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/inspiration) #### Designed for disinfection Aug 06, 2020 3 minute read [Textile Color Science](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/textile-color-science) ![22201_Duvaltex_06_025_v2](https://go.duvaltex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22201_Duvaltex_06_025_v2.jpg?width=2500&height=1878&name=22201_Duvaltex_06_025_v2.jpg) [Knowledge](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/knowledge) [Inspiration](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/inspiration) #### Textile Color Science Jun 16, 2023 4 minute read [With all our textiles, design looms large](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/with-all-our-textiles-design-looms-large-2) ![AdobeStock_883660784](https://go.duvaltex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_883660784.jpeg?width=4368&height=2448&name=AdobeStock_883660784.jpeg) [Knowledge](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/knowledge) [Inspiration](https://go.duvaltex.com/en/news-insights/tag/inspiration) #### With all our textiles, design looms large Nov 10, 2020 2 minute read ### Get Email Notifications #### ![Duvaltex-logo_noir](https://go.duvaltex.com/hubfs/Logos/Duvaltex-logo_noir.svg) #### Textile innovation partner of leading brands, we engineer, design and manufacture advanced and sustainable textiles for both the contract and personal protective equipment industries. #### ![Duvaltex-logo_noir](https://go.duvaltex.com/hubfs/Logos/Duvaltex-logo_blanc.svg) #### Textile innovation partner of leading brands, we engineer, design and manufacture advanced and sustainable textiles for both the contract and personal protective equipment industries. 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