chronicle, my main goal behind the " room within a room" is isolation.
Well that's a given..why else would you build one?
Problem is...define "isolation". The term isolation is vaguely ambiguous. For instance.. there's a big difference between "isolating" a symphony from an adjacent bedroom...or isolating a Shuttle take off from a control room a mile away, or isolating an acoustic guitar from neighbor 40 feet away. See? The common misconception here is called "soundproofing". There is no such thing. One scenario does not cover all. Try to "soundproof"
a shuttle takeoff from a control room 10 feet away. Ain't gonna happen. Just like trying to "soundproof" a 110db bass amp from an adjacent bedroom...ain't gonna happen...that is...unless you have deep enough pockets and enough space to build a 40 ton concrete bunker floating on massive springs at 10hz.
So...get my drift? Hope so..cause that's exactly what you are dealing with when it comes to so called "isolation".
I've done a lot of googling and there seems like a whole lot of info to wrap my head around.
Well, when it comes to building a "room within a room"..that's a massive understatement.
Here is the real deal. HOW MUCH ISOLATION DO YOU NEED AT WHAT FREQUENCY?
This is what separates the wheat from the chaffe. The REAL criteria is what most people here do not understand. It's called Transmission Loss Rating at a given frequency. And the only way you will find out what your existing envelope provides is by MEASURING IT. Period. Think about it this way.
How else would you know how well the existing boundary's perform at providing isolation? And then...how much isolation do you need?
It might simplify matters if you describe what the intent here is. ..ie..WHAT is the source of the sound? Rock drums? A flute? Mixing at 100db? This is exactly what I am talking about. Why build a 70db TL at 20hz(which is damn near impossible) if the only sound you are tying to isolate is an acoustic guitar?
This is why I said...massive understatement.
Ok, here is what I suggest for the time being. For anyone to help you sort this out..they need as much information as you can possibly give them.
Describe:
Basement size(W/L/H) and construction and how far below grade. Any diagrams/pics would help no matter how basic. Show everything possible..ie ..stairs..doors...windows..HVAC location..ducts..everything.
Adjacency to other rooms above
Existing HVAC and or anything in basement like pipes, drains, laundry room stuff etc.
Budget.
Skills and tools
What the point of your recording space is..ie ..what kind of music, instrumentation.. how loud etc
Who and what are you trying to isolate from...ie..mother in law sleeping above studio? Neighbors 5 ft away. etc etc.
The more info the better.
Also, get Rods book.
Later.
fitZ
