question about soundproofing

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moondoggy88

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Quick question:

When school starts again I'll be putting my recording studio (including drum set) in my bedroom of my condo. My condo is on the bottom floor, in the corner of the entire complex. Even more, my bedroom is in the very corner of the building. So basically behind two of the four walls there is outdoors.

I want to soundproof so as to not piss off my fellow peers living above me. My question is, do I need to soundproof all the walls of the room, or can I just soundproof the ceiling and the two walls that aren't the outside walls? Or should I simply soundproof the ceiling? I'll worry about acoustics when I find out if I'll even be able to play without getting the cops called on me.

Also, in my situation, what would the best material to use for soundproofing?

Thanks for your help!

Adam
 
moondoggy88 said:
Quick question:

When school starts again I'll be putting my recording studio (including drum set) in my bedroom of my condo. My condo is on the bottom floor, in the corner of the entire complex. Even more, my bedroom is in the very corner of the building. So basically behind two of the four walls there is outdoors.

I want to soundproof so as to not piss off my fellow peers living above me. My question is, do I need to soundproof all the walls of the room, or can I just soundproof the ceiling and the two walls that aren't the outside walls? Or should I simply soundproof the ceiling? I'll worry about acoustics when I find out if I'll even be able to play without getting the cops called on me.

Also, in my situation, what would the best material to use for soundproofing?

Thanks for your help!

Adam
Click to expand...
MDF/Plasterboard... You need mass, and lots off it. You'd probably be better getting into the room above and laying another floor on top of the existing one. However, this won't do a great deal, i don't think, and may not be the safest option...

You're gonna have a horrible time trying to isolate a drumkit. You won't manage it. The best idea i can think of is to get to know the people living around you, and make sure they're out/won't be annoyed when you wanna record.
 
Agreed. A drumkit is one of the most difficult things to get isolated (other than a beastie HT Subwwoofer). If you really don't want to bug anybody, you either need to make structural changes to ALL of the surfaces of the room or play during times when it won't bug anyone (which is a more likely solution)

Bryan
 
Your problem is going to be the vast array of frequencies your dealing with and the volume at which they are being cranked out.

When you say "soundproofing" - are you referring to foam?

Foam only absorbs high and some mid frequencies - which is great for some things (like vocal booths), but does little for drum kits.

Do you know if you're on a concrete slab - or is there a basement beneath you?

In an ideal situation - you would probably need to build a room within a room (where the new walls do not touch the outside walls). Add an extra layer of drywall to every inside wall. Make sure the thing is air tight with 2 solid core doors (and no windows). Build bass traps for every corner and ceiling. Get some foam in there for the high frequencies. And make friends with your neighbors.
 
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gbondo9 said:
Your problem is going to be the vast array of frequencies your dealing with and the volume at which they are being cranked out.

When you say "soundproofing" - are you referring to foam?

Foam only absorbs high and some mid frequencies - which is great for some things (like vocal booths), but does little for drum kits.

Do you know if your on a concrete slab - or is there a basement beneath you?

In an ideal situation - you would probably need to build a room within a room (where the new walls do not touch the outside walls). Add an extra layer of drywall to every inside wall. Make sure the thing is air tight with 2 solid core doors (and no windows). Build bass traps for every corner and ceiling. Get some foam in there for the high frequencies. And make friends with your neighbors.
Click to expand...
I would skip the foam... The rigid fiberglass will absorb into the highs aswell.
 
The only true "soundproofing" is mass.

So unless you're willing to pour four feet of concrete between you and the other condo, you better get on REAL good terms with your neighbors....
 
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