Soundproofing a Recording studio
Author: Robert W. Orther
There are a lot of different websites and blogs out there that have
different opinions on how to best soundproof a home or commercial recording
studio. The type and quality of the recordings will determine how much
soundproofing you will need to have to achieve the best quality recordings
in the studio. There are a lot of factors to consider when constructing a
professional grade-recording studio. In a commercial area where there are
city and traffic noises that can penetrate normal walls, you might set a
goal of at least 56 STC for the walls and ceilings of the studio. Generally
you will be able to find studio doors and windows that will meet the 56 STC
rating. A recording studio that has a 56 STC rating would be what most
producers would consider a professional grade studio where any professional
musician or band could record. Most of the big recording studios have an STC
rating of up to 80 STC, but these studios cost Millions of dollars to build
and most of us don't have that kind of money to put into a studio. When
constructing a commercial or even a home studio the first this to consider
is the walls and the ceiling areas. What can be done to soundproof these
areas to provide the best soundproofing environment for recording? If you
are working with open Joists and studs, that I would recommend placing rock
wool batt insulations into the wall and ceiling cavities. In a ceiling
application, the rock wool would be adhered to the sub floor or the roof
area between the ceiling joists. Rock wool both blocks and absorbs noise and
actually helps to dampen the structural members in a wall or ceiling
assembly. In a ceiling application, once you have the rock wool installed in
the cavities, it would be a good idea to fill the rest of the cavity with a
standard fiberglass R-19 or R-30 batt insulation. The next step would be to
adhere a layer of 1 Lb mass loaded vinyl to the bottom face of the joists
and the studs on the walls. The MLV would be stapled or nailed to the wood
studs or screwed to steel studs with self-tapping sheet metal screws. It is
recommended that you over lap the seams by at least 1/2 of an inch and the
caulk the over lap as well as the perimeter with an acoustical caulk. Once
the MLV membrane is sealed, you come to a crossroads. You have the choice of
layering over the MLV with a layer of 5/8" drywall of a layer of 5/8" Hardi
Board (concrete board) and then taping mudding and painting the drywall or
you could add a second layer of drywall with the Green Glue visco elastic
damping compound applied to it. The Green Glue would damp both layer of
drywall and would prevent the drywall from being able to transmit sound.
This would provide you with a very secure and soundproof wall and ceiling
assembly. Lastly, if you wanted the best soundproofing possible, you might
consider floating the walls and ceiling on sound clips and furring channels.
This is a very effective method of soundproofing which isolates the walls
and the ceiling from the frame structure as well as from each other. It
would take too long to explain this application in one article, but please
feel free to e-mail me and I will be able to give you that particulars on
using sound clips and furring channels. Other things to consider when
building a recording studio are the windows and doors that you will need for
your control room to live room and for the actual entrance into the studio
itself. I will talk about studio doors and windows in subsequent articles. I
will also discuss floated studio floors at a later time. Thanks for reading
and learning with me. Soundproof Bob!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/soundproofing-a-recording-studio-1034962.html
About the Author:
Dr. Bob is the Senior Technical Advisor at Soundproofing America Inc, the
leading authority in Soundproofing and Acoustical treatment technology.
Dr. Bob O.
Soundproofing America, Inc.
Senior Technical Director
Soundproofing Expert to The New York Times, The San Francisco Herald
Examiner,
The San Diego Union Tribune, and the Charlotte Observer
Ph (877) 530-0139 Toll free Fax (347) 721-9079
E-mail: Dr.bob@soundproofingamerica.com
http://www.soundproofingamerica.com
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