Soundproofing a Home Studio

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soundprooffoam

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The key to soundproofing a home studio is to block sound transmission. You will easily accomplish this with a product known as mass loaded vinyl barrier. More effective than a sheet of lead for stopping sound, vinyl barrier uses its weight (up to 2 lbs. per square foot) to stop sound transmission dead in its tracks.

The easiest and simplest way to soundproof your walls is to apply furring strips to the existing drywall and then apply the vinyl barrier. It is important that an air gap be left between the existing drywall and the vinyl barrier, as this will maximize the sound deadening properties of the mass loaded vinyl barrier. After applying the vinyl barrier to the furring strips (you may use nails or staples, as long as you seal it), you want to seal up the seams using a silicon adhesive. This is a critical step, as sound will pass through any opening. Add another layer of drywall after you have applied and sealed the vinyl barrier to notice a dramatic decrease in sound transmission.

If you do not wish to use furring strips on the wall, you can use vinyl barrier foam composite that will provide you with the separation necessary for adequately blocking sound. The treatment above for walls may also be used for ceilings to keep sound out from escaping above.

If you are lucky enough to have a drop ceiling in your home studio, soundproofing the ceiling is quite simple. Simply purchase mass loaded vinyl barrier for placement above the ceiling grid. The air space between the grid and the actual ceiling above will be the air barrier necessary to stop transmission, while the vinyl barrier laid over the ceiling tiles will provide the mass to block sound from transmitting. Another alternative is to apply the vinyl barrier to the rafters if they are exposed. This will prevent the grid from having to support the weight of the vinyl barrier, as well as making future removal and replacement of ceiling tiles a breeze.

Should vertical space be available, you may want to soundproof your home studio by adding acoustical ceiling tiles. If a grid is already in place, purchase acoustical ceiling tiles to replace the existing tiles. This step alone will help greatly reduce sound transmission. You can take it one-step further by adding a layer of mass loaded vinyl barrier above the ceiling tiles, providing the utmost in soundproofing.

You may have read this far, thinking “what about the floors?” Soundproofing your floor is just as easy as your walls or ceiling. To do this, you will want to pull up the existing carpet and padding. Once you have the sub-floor exposed, use a layer of vinyl barrier foam composite, with the foam side facing the floor. After laying the vinyl barrier composite, use a silicone adhesive to seal the creases. When finished, simply relay your padding and carpet.

All of the soundproofing products mentioned in this article are available online or by phone from American Micro Industries. Their Web site at http://www.soundprooffoam.com offers more information on soundproofing as well as the ability to order securely online. Acoustics specialists are available to give you free soundproofing advice toll-free at 1-800-558-2058, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, EST. You may also send email to sales@americanmicroinc.com to receive a prompt and courteous response.
 
Will be looking into that, as I just moved into an apartment. Hey SexyDevil, that's nothing but a an online chain letter.
 
Thanks for all of the heads up!

"How do I stop the sound from bother others?" is the most common question we receive when someone has a studio in their home or in a commercial building...so I decided to write a little piece around it.

I'm glad you found it useful.
 
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Well whatever it is it actually works! I am seriously making money off it! I've tried other stuff before and this is the only one that I actually give my seal of approval.
 
if your on a really tight budget is it possible to use foam matress pads as soundproofing?i tried some in my bathroom to reduce the natural room reverb and it worked pretty good for that.
 
Anything soft can dampen the sound to some degree, even hanging rugs or bed sheets. Bookshelves can be used to reangle reflections.

In the end though, buy the real sh*t. This is one part of your studio that you don't want to slack on.

The spam was interesting, still. Nothing I haven't heard, but an "interesting" collection of points, regardless.

edit: I recommend Sonex typed treatments, period. Or the cheaper Auralex ones.
 
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Soundproofing and acoustics are oftentimes interchanged.

A foam mattress topper *may* help with acoustics, but if a neighbor were on the other side of the wall, it wouldn't benefit them at all.

If you have equipment or speakers against a common wall and don't want the neighbor calling the police again, you should purchase something made specifically for stopping sound.
 
sexydevil said:
Well whatever it is it actually works! I am seriously making money off it! I've tried other stuff before and this is the only one that I actually give my seal of approval.


That couldn't work. PayPal usually freezes any account that is bringing in that much money, constantly (unless its on a per month basis). Usually with on going constant transactions they will freeze them, and then sometimes contact you to verify it.
 
I spend all day surfing the net, looking for info about soundproofing and acoustics.

The other day it dawned on me: "maybe others would like to see what I come across!"

Acting on this thought, I started the "soundproofing blog." Whenever I come across something on the net that I find interesting, I am going to try and remember to blog it.

It's just getting going right now, but it's located at http://soundproofing.blogspot.com
 
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