New room construction: overall acoustics

[poutanen]

Having posted this, you know that the first time you get to play in that room, you'll play like never before and wish you had a way to record it, right?

See that's what I would call a good problem!!! I'm thinking about moving my computer downstairs and turning it into a mixer, etc. Would only need a better sound card and some software, would be cheaper than getting a standalone mixer... also would be easy to use it to record too. Hell I've already tried windows "Sound Recorder" and it's fine if you bump up the bitrate/freq. But now I'm going O/T in my own thread.

Anyway, my current plan is to stud/insulate as above, then I'm considering 1/2" MDF under drywall. The ceiling is going to be an issue... definetly looking into bass traps, acoustic panels, etc for room treatments after the rest is done. I like the look of those end table bass traps, plus the corner traps...

Thanks all for the help!

 

[Norman Varney]

Remember that noise control is a system approach of principals incorporating blocking, breaking, isolating and/or absorbing sound waves and vibrations. Remember too that it will only be as good as it's weakest link, so be careful of doors, windows and other penetrations in the system. I don't know much about your scenario, but worry about flanking through the ceiling. I'm a drummer too, high energy in low frequencies are always tough to control.

 

[Michel Leduc]

It is not clear for me if you still want to use acoustic tiles for your ceiling. If it is so, don't spend too much on your walls and doors, the sound is escaping a lot from the ceiling. Sound isolation is as good as it's weakest part.

Michel Leduc

 

[poutanen]

It is not clear for me if you still want to use acoustic tiles for your ceiling. If it is so, don't spend too much on your walls and doors, the sound is escaping a lot from the ceiling. Sound isolation is as good as it's weakest part.

Michel Leduc

I still plan on 4x2 tiles for the ceiling, probably will use the plastic track system that drops the tiles only 1" below the joists or so. There's lots of room up there for insulation but I don't think that's going to do much.

I think I'm starting to realize that to do a proper room that's as close to sound proof as you can reasonably get, would break my budget. So I want the cheapest, most valuable gains in sound reduction (if that makes sense! lol)

 

[bpape]

I would agree with Michael then. It doesn't make any sense to spend money on the walls if the ceiling is going to let everything through and flank right around the walls.

Bryan

 

[poutanen]

Just a late update, I've started the reno and will be installing 3/4" foam on all outside walls tomorrow, then studding and installing R-22 insulation, then 5/8 drywall instead of the cheap ****. The walls must meet or exceed R24 to qualify for the full grant.

I'm planning on using "Safe and Sound" insulation in the ceiling, and yes I'm still planning on a drop ceiling.

Will send pics as it progresses. Also I've got a SPL meter at work so I was thinking about trying a test track at a set volume and checking the SPL at a certain point upstairs or outside, then see how much it's reduced when all is said and done. Of course when it's done I'll "think" it's more quiet, but that doesn't mean I'll be right!

 

[audiohonic65]

Aaron, let me know what you decide finally for your studio, it can help me setup mine.

 

[audiohonic65]

I think drop ceiling is a good idea considering what you want.

 

[poutanen]

Aaron, let me know what you decide finally for your studio, it can help me setup mine.

Done the foam and studding this weekend, doing electrical, insulation and vapour barrier this week. I'll upload pics of the progress shortly.

For the doors, I'm considering filling cheap doors up with a good quality sand. It would be more "dead" then even a solid wood door I think.