... and after I spent months tracking down all the works of Dostoyevski, Nietzsche and Tolstoy et al ... only to find this is not necessary...
Seriously though, I have bookcases at the sides and rear of my room and find these work quite well as diffusers. In fact, just to increase the diffusion effect, I've staggered the spines of the books so every other book is set in an inch or so respective to it's neighbours. It even looks more interesting than having all the spines lined up in a row.
I know - I'm Mad ...
Don't think you're mad at all. A great idea. I've actually used mirrors to detect where my speakers are reflecting off the side walls. Sitting at the listening position, I had my wife move the mirror down the wall until I could see the respective left or right speaker. And then placed acoustic panels at these reflection points. Now THAT just might be over the top. But music is that important isn't it??!?!
Randall Jones
What you describe is pretty much standard as many acoustics forums will attest.
I don't just rely on the bookcases, they just have to be there, so I positioed them as best as possible and staggered the spines as I mentioned.
I also have several absorbers positioned around and two of them hanging from the ceiling as clouds above the mixing desk - and yes I had someone (not the wife ;-o) up a ladder with a mirror on the ceiling LOL.
I will probably add a skyline diffuser or two to a couple of key positions - might let my young niece make them for me ;-)
Walk softly and carry a big USB stick
This is such an important topic I am surprised there are not more posts.
The book case diffuser is a nice idea. I agree that the use of mirrors is a
common practice. For me find the balance between diffusion and absorption
has been an ongoing issue. I like to have some room tone for instruments,
but I prefer to have a dryer signal for vocals. I don't have a dedicated vocal
booth, although there are plans for one, in the mean time I have started using
the Primacoustics microphone isolation unit, ( I have forgotten the name)
which helps reduce some of the room sound while recording, that has been good
for vocals and voice over work.