Band recording studio: how to sound proof the room to avoid noise complaints?

[moltar]

Hey!

I know this is not a forum for bands, but I think people here have a lot of experience with noise levels. I am sure many of you have home theatres and family that doesn't like your music

So, a band that I manage is looking to rent a room in an apartment building. The room is great. Neighbours are only above.

The band records hip hop music. So there aren't any live instruments. The most noise comes from them being loud while recording vocals (they often yell), and playback from bass.

How can we sound proof the ceiling and possibly walls to prevent noise complaints? DIY cheap solutions are preferred

Thank you!

[lsiberian]

Originally Posted by moltar

Hey!

I know this is not a forum for bands, but I think people here have a lot of experience with noise levels. I am sure many of you have home theatres and family that doesn't like your music

So, a band that I manage is looking to rent a room in an apartment building. The room is great. Neighbours are only above.

The band records hip hop music. So there aren't any live instruments. The most noise comes from them being loud while recording vocals (they often yell), and playback from bass.

How can we sound proof the ceiling and possibly walls to prevent noise complaints? DIY cheap solutions are preferred

Thank you!

This will be a lot of work. I warn you.

1. Isolation is the greatest insulator for sound.

2. For sound absorption I suggest rockwool insulation be used. Even the fancy stuff isn't superior to rockwool.

3. Are you looking to do construction or do you want to try this by paneling etc?

[moltar]

We are obviously not looking for a studio dead sound quality that if a helicopter hovers you can't hear anything. We just want to make sure that the neighbours aren't complaining. And to be honest, we were recording from apartments for a while, and only had a few complaints. So we just want to take some cheap and easy steps to minimize it even further.

Follow the 80/20 principle Do the 20% of the work, that will yield 80% of the result. Last 20% -- meh who cares

But to answer your question, we don't mind building stuff. We are pretty handy.

[Wafflesomd]

For room treatments, I would take a look at some hardware stores or the local HVAC distro and pick up a few sheets of Owens Corning 703. Build some simple frames out of say, 1/2"x 2" wood. Cover it with cloth if you'd like.


If it's an apartment, you probably can't do much to 'proof' the building.

[lsiberian]

Originally Posted by moltar

We are obviously not looking for a studio dead sound quality that if a helicopter hovers you can't hear anything. We just want to make sure that the neighbours aren't complaining. And to be honest, we were recording from apartments for a while, and only had a few complaints. So we just want to take some cheap and easy steps to minimize it even further.

Follow the 80/20 principle Do the 20% of the work, that will yield 80% of the result. Last 20% -- meh who cares

But to answer your question, we don't mind building stuff. We are pretty handy.

I'd just line the ceiling with Insulation. Rockwool or OC703 is preferred, but fiber would help too. Makes it 4 to 6" thick and you would be golden. If you are on a tight budget the pink stuff would still be better than nothing.

http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm is a list of various materials. You can see that when thick enough many things work just fine.

I'd make sure to leave a gap between the insulation and the rockwool ceiling just to add some extra insulation. I have a picture in my mind of a suspended ceiling almost. You could do the same things on the walls as you get the motivation.

Beyond that use some Gramma's for your subs. I'd also ask the neighbors to let you know if the music is too loud. Sometimes being proactive helps. Who knows maybe you will live under me. In which case you'll need to insulation to keep my movies out.

[bpape]

In an apartment building where you can't do construction, you're not likely going to be able to do much. Stopping sound getting out is going to require insulated cavities and lots of mass (extra drywall) and/or decoupling (construction). You can treat the inside of the room as much as you want but that won't do much of anything to stop sound getting out.

Bryan