How much would it cost to soundproof a 10 by 15 foot room?

[RockNSoul]

Hey just wondering a rough estimate to soundproofing a 10 by 15 ft room with 9ft ceilings. Also is it possible to make it completely soundproof? I know a lot about construction so assuming I do all the work......anyone got any numbers? I'd like to be able to record the basics in there if needed....Drums, Guitars, Keys, Vocals......I'm not looking to make a studio where I record others or even has the best recording "sound".....just something that lets me crank it without disturbing my girl and neighbors.

Thanks for your help!
-Chase

Also if anyone has any tips on doing this cheap but effective please let me know your ideas.

[gullfo]

depending on existing construction, neighbors, legal situation, existing noise levels, etc its hard to say but good isolation (no such thing as sound proof) can be costly. some folks have managed to get high isolation and good acoustics in their small garage for around $25-$35K but every case is different.

[bpape]

Agreed. Unfortunately, cheap and sound control don't really go together. In a pre-existing space, you've already got 1/2 of the problems that you can't deal with - isolation of the structure.

You can do some things to help like adding a layer of drywall with Green Glue between, rerouting HVAC in an isolated fashion, floating a floor, etc. But, it's never going to be soundproof.

If you want to go a bit farther, you can build a room in a room and that will perform better. Just be realistic.

Bryan

[RockNSoul]

Well maybe I'd be better off moving and getting some land....hahaha distance may be the cheapest thing.....thanks for your replys!

-Chase

[Supercreep]

Originally Posted by RockNSoul

Well maybe I'd be better off moving and getting some land....hahaha distance may be the cheapest thing.....thanks for your replys!

-Chase

You are right about that, Chase.

[undrgrnd studio]

If you build a room in a room, decouple the walls, and build a new ceiling, I don't see why it has to cost more than 4-5K. That's including 5/8 sheet rock, lumber, insulation, paint, doors, everything. I just did that, but I only built single studded walls, not a double wall. I was on a budget and was able to achieve an enormous amount of sound control compared with "doing nothing" for $2000. Plus I built an 11X11 office, I installed lighting, tripled the electrical outlets, and used solid core doors. All for about $1800.

[Supercreep]

Originally Posted by undrgrnd studio

I built an 11X11 office, I installed lighting, tripled the electrical outlets, and used solid core doors. All for about $1800.

I paid almost that much for a building permit.

[undrgrnd studio]

It sounds like he just wants to work with a space that already exists. You are building a structure in your backyard. Big difference. 2X4's are under $2.50 right now, 5/8th sheet rock is under $7.50. Materials are cheap right now. He won't need a foundation, siding, shingles, plywood, or anything else very costly like you need.

I just put my doors up last night. I didn't seal them and trim them yet, but the difference in sound is amazing even with those open spaces. I won't really know how much sound I contained until I build a plug to fit in the basement window area.

[gullfo]

interesting... here's some costs for recent clients:

high isolation (~50db) - 600sqft, 3 rooms - $40K in materials (double wall, existing home structure), <$10K labor + DIY

very high isolation (~60db) - 420sqft, 2 room - $30K in materials (double wall, existing home structure) + <$30K labor

medium isolation (~40db) - 850sqft, 5 rooms - $30K materials (single wall, warehouse), <$10K labor + DIY

expect decent isolation to be $30/sqft and high isolation to be $100/sqft for regular construction w/o floating floors etc which would be even more money. so for 150sqft (10x15) expect it to cost you $25K-$30K.

[undrgrnd studio]

Originally Posted by gullfo

interesting... here's some costs for recent clients:

high isolation (~50db) - 600sqft, 3 rooms - $40K in materials (double wall, existing home structure), <$10K labor + DIY

very high isolation (~60db) - 420sqft, 2 room - $30K in materials (double wall, existing home structure) + <$30K labor

medium isolation (~40db) - 850sqft, 5 rooms - $30K materials (single wall, warehouse), <$10K labor + DIY

expect decent isolation to be $30/sqft and high isolation to be $100/sqft for regular construction w/o floating floors etc which would be even more money. so for 150sqft (10x15) expect it to cost you $25K-$30K.

Do you honestly think some guy recording his buddies is going to spend 25-30K on sound isolation? OR that this person would NEED that level of isolation? I think for the most part people on here want as much isolation as possible that can be built on their own, for as little money as possible.

That means forget about labor costs, and forget about high end acoustics engineering materials. I think the real question here is, how much can I do myself on a small budget and what can I expect from it. If this person really had 30K to spend on 150 square feet he would call an architect.

[Supercreep]

Originally Posted by undrgrnd studio

Do you honestly think some guy recording his buddies is going to spend 25-30K on sound isolation?

Ummm.. Yes?

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by gullfo

interesting... here's some costs for recent clients:

high isolation (~50db) - 600sqft, 3 rooms - $40K in materials (double wall, existing home structure), <$10K labor + DIY

very high isolation (~60db) - 420sqft, 2 room - $30K in materials (double wall, existing home structure) + <$30K labor

medium isolation (~40db) - 850sqft, 5 rooms - $30K materials (single wall, warehouse), <$10K labor + DIY

expect decent isolation to be $30/sqft and high isolation to be $100/sqft for regular construction w/o floating floors etc which would be even more money. so for 150sqft (10x15) expect it to cost you $25K-$30K.

For decent isolation, at 150sqft, it'd be $4,500, and high'd be $15K by your pricing.

I think a floating room within a room could be done for $2K and acheive a decent amount of isolation (STC of 40-50). But that is without permits etc. But if you want it all done properly, and to a high standard, then at least $10K.

[undrgrnd studio]

Originally Posted by Supercreep

Ummm.. Yes?

Maybe you would. I don't know what you do for a living or how much you earn, but my guess is that on average 9 out of 10 people here would not be willing to spend that kind of money on a project like this. As a matter of fact, the median HOUSEHOLD income in the US is 48K. So when taking that into account, a typical poster here would need to spend over 2/3rds of his entire families income on this one project. Does that sound reasonable? No it sounds ridiculous. I guarantee this guy and most others who ask questions like this are not looking for a professional to tell him he needs a 30K budget to be able to jam with his buddies without the cops being called. And to be honest, for a few thousand dollars he could accomplish what he's after if he does all the work himself.

"In 2006, the median annual household income according to the US Census Bureau was determined to be $48,201.00.[3] The median income per household member (including all working and non-working members above the age of 14) in the year 2006 was $26,036"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Househo..._United_States

[undrgrnd studio]

Originally Posted by pandamonk

For decent isolation, at 150sqft, it'd be $4,500, and high'd be $15K by your pricing.

I think a floating room within a room could be done for $2K and acheive a decent amount of isolation (STC of 40-50). But that is without permits etc. But if you want it all done properly, and to a high standard, then at least $10K.

I concur Dr.

[gullfo]

except noise violations can be $1000 per incident so yea, you might consider your options regarding noise isolation...

i'm just guessing $25K-30K based on how much it really costs to ultimately build a room which can house a 120db band and sound relatively OK... the materials for such as room will be $11K (I just did a room like this last night - 13x17) and if you do all your own labor, then you could probably do it for 10-12K. my cost as the designer on the project last night was about $3K including all docs needed to go to an architect for sign off and permits.

as far as permits, you could lose you home insurance coverage, your certificate of occupancy, get fined, and built improperly, your life or worse, someone else's life. so depending on what its worth, yea, costs can be high all round.

[bpape]

I think Glenn was simply trying to give hard figures based on actual projects and actual isolation levels. I didn't see him say that everyone had to do that. You do what you can and what your budget will allow - just be realistic.

And yes, if you really want good recordings, you need a very well isolated, very low noise floor space.

Bryan

[undrgrnd studio]

I know, I'm just saying the reality is that most folks just want to construct something in their attic, basement, garage, or spare room that will help as much as reasonably possible to reduce sound transmission to their neighbors, or wife.

There isn't much anyone can do on a typical low budget to allow a full rock band to play at midnight without pissing someone off. You may be able to multi-track track at midnight though. I'm sure on a shoestring budget you can get away with playing a single guitar, vocals, and maybe even drums with brushes.

But playing a Pantera tune with full stacks at midnight isn't going to happen.

[Supercreep]

Dont forget about treatment, furniture, lighting, and all the stuff that means the difference between a recording space and a spare room.

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by gullfo

except noise violations can be $1000 per incident so yea, you might consider your options regarding noise isolation...

i'm just guessing $25K-30K based on how much it really costs to ultimately build a room which can house a 120db band and sound relatively OK... the materials for such as room will be $11K (I just did a room like this last night - 13x17) and if you do all your own labor, then you could probably do it for 10-12K. my cost as the designer on the project last night was about $3K including all docs needed to go to an architect for sign off and permits.

as far as permits, you could lose you home insurance coverage, your certificate of occupancy, get fined, and built improperly, your life or worse, someone else's life. so depending on what its worth, yea, costs can be high all round.

I agree. I was giving my guess at costs doing all the labour yourself, and maybe a guy you know in to help occasionally. But if you want a company in to do it all done properly, then your prices seem pretty decent.

[TerraMortim]

Originally Posted by Supercreep

Ummm.. Yes?

revised: Do you think he can AFFORD that much? Most people can't afford to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something like that.

[TerraMortim]

Originally Posted by gullfo

except noise violations can be $1000 per incident so yea, you might consider your options regarding noise isolation...

And do you know of anyone who actually enforces this? I've had my share of noise complaints, but I can't think of a single person I've ever heard of getting tickets like that when doing something normal... You'd have to be BLASTING stuff like crazy day and night, at levels enough to give you permanent hearing damage, and enough to even damage your gear, to warrant someone wanting to give you a $1k ticket for a noise violation. I live in a basement suite and I can do normal recording most of the time (sometimes run into problems, but I can't imagine police coming over to fine me for it). . . . Maybe a night club would get a fine, but a home studio?


Also, in most places, the city ordinances give times where excessive noise is not allowed and when it is... In the city I live in, after 11pm people could call the cops on you... if someone called the cops to give a noise complaint say, in the middle of the day... they would just say... sorry nothing we can do.. and even if it's after that time, chances are a cop, if they even still would come out for a silly noise complaint, would just say.. hey we had a complaint, can you turn it down... you say, yes officer, very sorry... and they wish you a good night... And that was even when I lived in the states, and the cops hated me for the way I look (I must be up to no good!)

Do you live out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere where the police have nothing to do? That's the only place I can see a cop wasting his time enforcing $1k noise violations for people in their home studios, playing things at a reasonable listening volume. If you're recording live instruments, and you're place can't handle it...just go to a commercial studio for that (there are plenty of small commercial studios you could use for like $20 an hour that would get the job done...if you have your shit together (everything ready to go, the entire plan for what mics, where they're placed, and what method of recording, etc...) you could be in and out of there in a few hours for a track. (or, just find someone who owns like, a band rehearsal space, offer them some money to come in before they open (after they close) to lay down some tracks (if you have something semi portable to record with, like a laptop).

[TerraMortim]

I kind of want to add to this question a bit... just because I'm a bit curious.

On a shoestring budget...in a basement suite that is rented (so I can't rip the place apart and build it back... How would someone..who doesn't need to record loud live instruments... just vocals mostly (guitars and bass are direct, and live drums are recorded elsewhere) so... mostly just for the purpose of mixing...

How would I improve some degree of isolation between the folks upstairs and my studio room... Would simply covering my ceiling with thick acoustic foam do the trick? Keep in mind I'm not listening to this shit at 9 million dB... it's just very thin walls and ceiling, so even when I'm mixing somewhat softly at night, they tend to get pissy about it (they have a 4 year old)

I know that I could get contractors, structural engineers, top industry professional studio designers, scientists from NASA, and the Queen of England to come in and rebuild everything for what ammounts to my entire yearly income... but what...could be done... just to ease the situation a bit...that won't destroy the house (get me evicted), cost me a fortune, etc..

[undrgrnd studio]

Maybe just add insulation, and then do an acoustic drop ceiling made out of fiberglass panels instead of pressed cellulose. That would help buffer the sound transmission. Putting something right onto the floor joists would probably be worthless.

[gullfo]

as far as noise - its more likely to happen in congested areas where neighbors don't share your taste in music. and i've lived in towns in NJ where noise ordinances where enforced (extra money for the town government) - busting parties at the nearby campus, and a couple of times for local bands, at hours like 9PM or 10PM... pretty lame but why chance it unless you know the rules and the neighbors.

if you're in a basement, doing low level work, and cannot change things much, then i would put in R19 into the upper joists, line the joists with felt strips (to isolate the drywall from the wood), and screw in a layer of 5/8" drywall. that will increase the isolation a bit. caulk up all openings and add some winterizing seals to the doors and windows. this assumes the ceiling is flat and the walls are reasonably ok.

[SRR]

Hehe, funny, I just had the cops called on me/us for watching the Polar Express on HD DVD, at about 100dB peaks, we are in a duplex, the theater is down stairs, everything has two layers of drywall (1/2" and 5/8"), ceiling is insulated, they are next door, so the sound traveled through the drywall, to the joists, into my control room and then to the shared wall. Or maybe through the flooring itself. Either way, it was the first time in 6 years that we have had a theater where the neighbors called the cops. Funny thing when the cops came over to our door they asked what the noise was from, my wife said we were watching the Polar Express, the cops just started laughing, and said well "they complained that a airplane was rumbling their side of the house", the cops then said one of the neighbors is going to work 3rd shift and said to turn it down a little. This was at 7-8pm or there abouts, from what I remember.

Takes a lot to "Sound Proof" a room, but a little planning can at least get you some reduction for not a lot of money. I wish green glue was more main stream when we built our theater, might have been that one little extra bit that would have helped, maybe RS channel, or if I had higher ceilings in the basement I could'a.....