Soundproofing

Post by **olly** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 9:04 am

I am in the process of converting a cellar into a recording studio where I can play guitar as loud as I like without disturbing anyone.

With just floorboards above to the lounge this has not been an easy process.

So far with lots of loft insulation, soundshield plasterboard with polystyrene sheeting between layers I have managed to get it pretty good however there is still considerable sound leakage.

So what else can I do about this? Anyone have any experience with DIY sound proofing?

aussieteacherPMMD · Post by **aussieteacherPMMD** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:19 pm

Olly wrote:I am in the process of converting a cellar into a recording studio where I can play guitar as loud as I like without disturbing anyone.

With just floorboards above to the lounge this has not been an easy process.

So far with lots of loft insulation, soundshield plasterboard with polystyrene sheeting between layers I have managed to get it pretty good however there is still considerable sound leakage.

So what else can I do about this? Anyone have any experience with DIY sound proofing?

Egg cartons used to be the main thing here, with the egg holding sections pointing out from the wall as baffles- may bump up your colesterol reading, though, Olly.

Post by **olly** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:22 pm

aussieteacherPMMD wrote:Egg cartons used to be the main thing here

I always though that the egg carton thing was a bit of a myth!

I guess it does increase the surface area of the wall which must be a good thing!

Onei · Post by **Onei** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:37 pm

Hi
I have heard that egg boxes are a bit rubbish, they may dampen the sound but do not reduce the noise level. It may be better to invest in some of the newer soundproofing foams on the market.

Post by **olly** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:28 am

Hi Onie and welcome to the forum

I haev not come across any such soundproofing foam. Most seems to be acoustic foam designed to improve the acoustics within a room rather than actually preventing sound from getting out.

It would be a shame to spend a fortune to find poor results! I guess that is the problem with soundproofing - sounds leaks easily so there is not one single product that could guarantee a decent level of sound proofing.

bartoneblaze · Post by **bartoneblaze** » Mon May 30, 2011 11:11 am

Acoustic Wool is useful as a Sound absorbing infill for the reduction of airborne noise in partition walls, between flooring joists and suspended ceilings.you can also used Sound Proofing Mats to reduce noise.

jamesd74 · Post by **jamesd74** » Mon May 30, 2011 4:12 pm

I am thinking of starting my cellar its just drying the place out.

polyal · Post by **polyal** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:03 pm

if the cellar is below ground level the only real issue is the upper floor ...a false ceiling supported from the side walls ( avoid any contact with the floor to avoid sound conduction through it )....bass is the biggest problem is like water it can get anywhere
baton the walls...and if you're on a budget use as mentioned egg boxes ( free ) use the softer materials
mentioned between them and the wall ( this will deaden/refract the sound and give you a good recording environment ) make a small booth to put round your amp and sound treat that.. stand it on thick foam to absorb any sound being conducted to the floor (and the room acting as a boom box)..
no matter how much you soundproof though you will always get leakage...so be realistic with your sound levels...bass is the achilles heel so turn it down a couple of notches

whatever you use for the ' skin ' if hard material paint it matt you dont want shiney surfaces

cellar studios are brilliant ...but leave room for the corner bar and get the missus a louder tele or put her and it in the shed ( not forgetting the mobile )

polyal · Post by **polyal** » Tue May 31, 2011 6:12 am

jamesd74 wrote:I am thinking of starting my cellar its just drying the place out.

the best way to do this is to use a dehumidifier..it will shift gallons in a few days..and its relatively cheap to run compared with conventional heating....anyway you dont need any heating initially this will just cause condensation...use heating only after its completely dried out just to keep it 'aired'
then its a good idea to run your dehumidifier say 1 hour a day ( on a timer ) to keep the room damp free till you've wrote your first hit ..and way beyond that