| This is by far the most asked question at | | | | wallboard. I like to line the inside cavities |
| Soundproofing America Inc. How do I | | | | with a closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat |
| soundproof my garage, basement, or a bedroom | | | | such as American Mat. This mat (generally |
| in my single family house or condo so my 4 | | | | ¼" thickness) is adhered to the inside |
| piece rock band can practice and record and | | | | cavity walls as well as the studs and joists |
| not bother the neighbors. If I had a dollar | | | | (if these areas are opened up) Keep in mind |
| for every time I was asked this question, I | | | | that the American Mat is used to line the |
| would be in the Bahamas right now, instead of | | | | cavities only, not to fill them up. If |
| writing this narrative. | | | | thermal insulation is needed, use products |
| | | | such as rock wool, mineral wool, cut wool |
| Many factors need to be considered prior to | | | | fibers, or my favorite, Roxul. |
| beginning your studio or practice | | | | |
| room-soundproofing project. Some of the | | | | Roxul is a great thermal rock wool based bat |
| questions you should be asking yourself are, | | | | type insulation that has great soundproofing |
| what type of amplification will the band be | | | | qualities. If thermal insulation is a |
| using, are the drums going to be acoustic and | | | | requirement for the practice room or studio, |
| miked or are they digital. Are we going to be | | | | then Roxul is the way to go. |
| recording live late at night or are we going | | | | |
| to be doing "line in" recording only? These | | | | Now we come to a crossroads, it is time to |
| questions and many more need to be considered | | | | determine if decoupling the walls using |
| before the actual construction begins. | | | | resilient channels or American Sound clips is |
| | | | a necessity. De coupling is used when impact |
| If live recording and rehearsal are the plan, | | | | transmission or low frequency noise is a |
| then maximum soundproofing will be needed. | | | | factor. Impact would come primarily from the |
| The most effective way to soundproof a | | | | drums (acoustic type) or the bass amplifier. |
| garage, basement, or bedroom is to actually | | | | However, if the band is using Marshall high |
| construct a room within a room (see and | | | | powered amps (50 watt Plexies with 4 X 12 |
| download the booklet "Acoustics 101" this is | | | | cabinets for example) along with miked |
| a wonderful resource for the home studio | | | | acoustic drums and an Ampeg bass system, then |
| builder. Their ideas are solid and pertinent | | | | decoupling is most likely necessary. These |
| to and studio soundproofing project. | | | | methods and procedures will be explained in |
| | | | later narratives or can found by calling |
| The room within a room concept utilizes the | | | | Soundproofing America on our toll free line. |
| sealed dead air space that is captured | | | | |
| between the inner walls and the outer walls | | | | If decoupling were determined to be |
| to help greatly with the soundproofing | | | | unnecessary, then the next step would be to |
| endeavor. It is probably easiest to frame the | | | | find a good barrier material such as American |
| walls on the floor and then tilt them up into | | | | vinyl (which is a high grade mass loaded |
| place thus making dry walling the outside of | | | | vinyl barrier). This barrier could be stapled |
| the walls much easier. It is also highly | | | | directly to the studwork on a wall assembly |
| recommended that another ceiling be joisted | | | | or directly to the joists. This is a method |
| out for the room within a room, however, this | | | | that is used if cost or space constraints are |
| is oft times impossible due to space | | | | factors. If the barrier material is to be |
| constraints. In this case, the existing | | | | stapled directly to the stud or joist framing |
| ceiling and ceiling joists may be used as the | | | | then it is essential that the seams be over |
| ultimate ceiling for the studio, provide that | | | | lapped, caulked (using OSI acoustical |
| it is adequately soundproofed with materials | | | | caulking compound) and taped with either a |
| such as the American vinyl or a combination | | | | lead tape or a heavy-duty seam tape. These |
| of American mat and American vinyl. I will | | | | can also be had from American Soundproofing |
| elaborate on these materials, as we get | | | | Inc. |
| further into this study. | | | | |
| | | | Once these areas are treated with the Mass |
| Once the walls are framed out and the right | | | | Loaded vinyl (MLV) then it time to decide |
| amount of "Dead air space" is determined, | | | | whether or not it is necessary to float the |
| then it is time to install the soundproofing | | | | walls and ceiling to prevent the impact and |
| | | | heavy bass sounds from passing through the |
| The first order of business is to consider | | | | solidly barriered walls and ceiling. For more |
| what needs to be done to the wall cavities | | | | information on ceiling and wall floats, |
| prior to installing a barrier and finally the | | | | please call the toll free number. |