I want to set up a recording studio in my basement and I need it to be soundproof so that my parents can't hear it in the rooms above the studio. Also, I would like acoustics of the room to be just right for recording. Can you give me any ideas on how to have this done? Thanks, Jordo
Jordo, I will try to help you with this. Let me start out by saying that setting up a home recording or music studio with the proper sound proofing and acoustics, is very similar to setting up a home theater. In both cases you want the sound to stay in the room and the quality of the sound to be acoustically correct and you want the other areas of your home, not be affected by the sound.
There are several things that you can do to make this happen. First of all I would assume that you are going to frame in or wall up a room in the basement that will end up being your studio. So, you need to determine where this room will be located.
You will need to build 2 x 4 walls around the entire perimeter of the room, even up against existing exterior concrete block or solid pour walls. The reason for this is because you will want to install insulation in all of the walls and I would recommend sound proofing insulation. When framing in the walls, make sure you use pressure treated 2 x 4s on the floor. Standard lumber will absorb moisture from the concrete floor and can cause the wood to rot in time.
Click on the following link to find out more about the different soundproofing insulation options available.
Soundproof Insulation
As far as the ceiling is concerned, you will need to take the same measures there. Using a good sound proof insulation inside the joist space.
If you have any plumbing pipes or heat runs or duct work, you will
need to frame in around these with 2 x 4s and then install the
insulation between the frame work.
The next and equally important step is to install a sound proofing wall board and there is a great product that I have written about in the past called QuietRock. Click on the photo below to find out more about the product. You will even be able to listen to sound bits with and without the product installed.
So this would need to be installed on the walls and ceiling to have the best effect.
If you are not able to drywall your ceiling because you want to leave access to pipes, wiring or other items, then you may want to opt for installing a suspended ceiling using soundproofing panels. Of course you would still install the soundproofing insulation as in the previous photo.
Click on the following photo to find out more about acoustic ceiling soundproofing panels.
Finally, you need to make sure that the entry door to the room is a solid cord door. This type of door comes in both a 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" thickness. I would recommend the thicker door. You can get wood veneered, steel and other type facing material. Check with your local lumber yard or door company to get the door.
To find out more about the doors, please click on the following link.
Interior Doors
I hope this helps, Rick
Rick Maselli is Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com and Ask Rick