Finishing a storage area.

[punkin]

I had the place remodelled about a year ago. We left one area about 20x15 un-funished which has served as storage space. The thing is, we don't need it for storage ( )...I know...everyone needs storage but, we're flush. We really need a practice room. The cieling still has exposed rafters (probobly not the right term)...wooden truss joist things about 16" on center. I'm thinking of converting this area to a practice room with some recordability qualitie. Although I don't need the recording space, but since we're going to finish the area anyways I thought I would do some "reasonable" things.

I'm intruiged by resonant cavities and how they work. I was wondering if the voids between the beams could be set up as tuned traps? Treat the cavities...hang sheet rock and install "acoustic ports" as needed. The beams are 12' tall and spaced 16" apart. If not, I'll double up the sheet rock put panels on the walls and call it good.

Just a wild ass thought.

Thanks.

[Dani Pace]

I don't have an answer but I have to admitt you have come up with an interesting concept. Useing the celing as sort of a bass reflex system could be a good thing (at least for practice, might not work as well for recording.) By the way, how high is the celing in your room? Also what is above and how do you plan to treat the walls? Anyway I envy your space, I'm useing a 13X26 room with 10 ft celing for both practice and recording.

[punkin]

The room is sort of vaulted at one end...8ft for about 1/3 of the room then goes to 10' feet for the remaining 2/3.

[punkin]

I had to bump it...was hoping Ethan would have a look. I'm looking at finishing this area later this summer.

Thanks.

[Ethan Winer]

Punkin,

> I'm intruiged by resonant cavities and how they work. I was wondering if the voids between the beams could be set up as tuned traps? Treat the cavities...hang sheet rock and install "acoustic ports" as needed. <

Assuming you don't need isolation to the upstairs, this is easier and better: Pack the spaces between all the joists with foot-thick fluffy fiberglass (R38). That will absorb a lot at all frequencies. Then you can easily cover the fiberglass by stapling fabric to the joists, and cover the staples with thin wood trim strips. My partner did this in his basement studio (live room and control room) and it worked out really well. But he also put in a wood floor to add some reflectiveness to counter the total absorption above.

--Ethan

[punkin]

Perfect as always Ethan...thanks. In this case, there's nothing upstairs to worry about.

Danke

[Innovations]

Is that because it is already a topmost floor room? If so are you OK with the ammount of outside sound that is getting in or your own playing bothering the neighbors?

[punkin]

Sorry for not getting back sooner. I've been away on an extended trip.

It's not the top most room in the place but we don't do anything else there. Noe one lives here. It's a small house on the back side of my primary residence property with a full basement (about 1300 sq ft in the basement). A while back, we decided that since the basement was completely unfinished and it was below ground, it would be easier to convert than dealing with the upstairs. We've gutted the upstairs and have a reception area, pool table and a mini theater. Just a place to hang out and "chill" when we're not tracking or practicing.

I was thinking this way because it certainly would be DIY project if it were worth while.