Well, during my little home project during Easter weekend, I literally caught the bug. No sooner had I finished putting up the foam panels, I decided I wanted more, so placed a second order for an additional 24 panels. I also ordered a floor mat, which effectively is really a piece of carpet that is designed to dampen some of the vibrations that come from my piano. As I could not find a local German distributor, I elected to purchase direct from the manufacturer.
I was a little surprised to get a text message alert the following Wednesday telling me that my package was going to be delivered that very day. When the delivery man arrived, he handed me a package that seemed much too small for the complete contents of my order. As I previously described, the foam panels come vacuum-packed. Thus, they really don't take up much space, until you open the bag and let them poof up.
The contents of the package, which had shipped from HK, were actually 36 foam panels, instead of the 24 that I had ordered. The mat was not included, which was very obvious when I opened the box. However, I had to unseal the foam, so did not realize I had 36 pieces until I had them all spread out.
With the foam, you do have to have some patience while waiting for the foam to perk up to it's full size. The manufacturer suggests soaking the panels in water to help accelerate the process. With the initial order, that was not necessary; the panels quickly (within 24 hours) and impressively came to life. This second batch, however, was a little more sluggish. I was not in a huge hurry, but was not so keen to drag things out for too long.
I sat down and wrote a quick mail to the company, asking about the whereabouts of the piano mat. I quickly received a response that indicated that this article would come separately, and I noted the tracking information. I decided to wait until I receive the mat before following up with the other discrepancy in the order. I was already sure I would keep the additional foam.
Then, the bug that I caught really kicked in, and I found myself approaching last weekend feeling like a bad cold was coming on. By Saturday morning, I was on a sneezing frenzy, and continued to endure constant sneezing and runny nose through Sunday. Meanwhile, I kept looking at my little panels, all pathetically trying not to poof up.
I have been fortunate to have avoided (so far) catching Covid, and during the past two years, I really have not been sick. Thus, I consider that I was kind of overdue.
The workweek started, and I was feeling only marginally better, thankfully only congested as opposed to constant sneezing, etc. I limited all activity, managed to get through a few days of work, and by Wednesday, was feeling a whole lot better. I decided it might be prudent to get myself Covid tested, for whatever that would be worth.
As I filled out the online check-in form to go my test, the doorbell rang. It was the delivery guy bringing me my piano mat. It, too, came somewhat sealed, but I quickly opened it, then spread it out so that it could flatten itself to the floor.
I then went to the local Testzentrum down the street, let the lady shove all the stuff up my nose, then returned home to continue the workday. I figured that if my result was negative, I would allow myself the treat of going to the pub that evening as part of my usual routine.
Sure enough, the result was negative, I felt even better, and enjoyed a nice evening sitting outside with a few friends.
As the week continued, some of the panels were playing nice, and perking up as expected. Some of the more sluggish ones clearly needed a poke, so I did soak them in water.
And that did the trick.
I planned how I would put up the remainder of the panels, and muscled the mat into the corner where I have my gear set up.
This morning, I put up the last of the panels, then did some audio checks, comparing them to those that I did a couple of weeks ago.
It is still a work in progress, but for now, I think I have more than enough material to help dampen the acoustics in the living room.
That makes for a decent start to the month.
Happy May Day to everyone
see you out there
Bryan
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