Industrial - Bachelor

MODULUS | Adjustable Acoustic Desk Panels

Modulus is a foldable acoustic recording enclosure designed to improve audio quality in home studios. Combining hinged timber panels with internal acoustic foam, it reduces unwanted sound reflections and resonances. Its compact, adjustable design provides effective acoustic treatment while allowing users to easily fold, store and transport the product.

Mat Malghem

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THE PROBLEM

Sound reflections within untreated rooms can significantly compromise the quality of audio recordings, forcing home studio producers to spend considerable time correcting unwanted resonant frequencies and acoustic issues through post-production software. While professional recording studios offer purpose-built acoustic treatment, they are often expensive to hire, making home recording a more accessible alternative. However, effectively treating a home studio presents its own challenges, including the high cost of acoustic materials, rental restrictions, time-consuming permanent installations and the need to maintain a multifunctional living space. This project explores how sound treatment can be optimised to better accommodate the needs of home studio producers, improving recording quality while reducing the time and effort required during post-production.

PRIMARY RESEARCH

Primary research was conducted through three interviews with a home studio producer, acoustic guitarist, and an independent vocal artist to gain insight into the challenges of recording in home environments. Additionally, an observation of a home studio recording session involving a producer and vocal artist provided first-hand insights into recording practices and acoustic limitations. The research identified several major themes, including the impact of sound reflections on recording quality, spatial and practical constraints within home studios, ineffective existing products, and the need for acoustic treatments that deliver results while accommodating the flexibility and functionality required by home studio producers.

EXISTING PRODUCTS

The analysis of existing acoustic treatment products revealed that many struggle to balance effective acoustic coverage with the need to maintain sufficient distance from the microphone. Materials positioned too close to the microphone can introduce comb filtering, resulting in an unwanted hollow or metallic tonality in recordings and reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Existing products were evaluated against six key criteria: acoustic coverage, microphone proximity to minimise comb filtering, portability and storage, setup requirements and space efficiency, price, and aesthetics. The findings highlighted that no single product successfully balances all six criteria, revealing an opportunity for a more versatile and practical solution tailored to home studio environments.

INTRODUCING MODULUS

Modulus is an innovative acoustic solution designed to improve recording quality in home studios by minimising unwanted sound reflections and resonant frequencies. The foldable enclosure it creates is used as an adaptable recording environment around the user. Its angled, perforated timber panels combine sound absorption with a distinctive aesthetic, while the internal foam helps reduce reflections that can create unwanted characteristics in audio recordings. Designed with portability and space efficiency in mind, Modulus can be folded away when not in use, making it ideal for multipurpose living spaces where permanent acoustic treatment is impractical. Its detachable mounting system allows the enclosure to be secured to a desk, providing stability during use while maintaining flexibility for storage and transport. By combining functional acoustic treatment with a compact, adjustable design, Modulus offers home producers a practical alternative to expensive, permanent studio installations.

ASSEMBLY DETAILS

USE SCENARIO

Mat Malghem

Mat is an industrial designer who is passionate, versatile and driven by continuous growth. With a strong foundation in drawing and ideation, he thrives at putting ideas to paper. He embraces an iterative design process, refining his work based on testing and feedback allowing him to always come back to his goal of using his creativity to make a positive impact.

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