Sound Proofing (again)

Beatles

New member
I have been reading a lot in this forum about soundproofing, and please excuse me if I am beating this to death. I know that carpet is definitely not the way to go, however, I'd like to get some feedback on this idea.

My office building is going through a remodelling, and they are throwing out the old carpet tiles. The tiles are about 18 x 18, and have a a 1/8 inch heavy rubber backing. I read somewhere that rubber make a good insulator, and my question is would this be suitable? There are litterally thousands of these carpet tiles that are being thrown out and I'd hate to miss this opportunity. Again, sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it when searching through the old posts.
 
and I quote myself.... "while I have no money, I'll do whatever I damn well please..."

Sure why not, I worked for a company that installed ATM parts and always had 2 x 2 foam squares that I still use to help isolate amps and things. I put them on the walls at first thinking they were helping, but no such luck =)~ I've mounted them on boards so I can use them for spot work. I've used them for a lot and keep them around...

It's not going to be soundproof, or anything like it, but I'm sure it'll help out somewhat....just don't depend those tiles to be the deciding factor between you and the pissed off neighbors.

You're going to get plenty of people saying it won't work, because it won't work for soundproofing.....but I always use any resources available. You'll find a use for this stuff
 
but I always use any resources available. You'll find a use for this stuff
I agree. Its finding a correct use for them in regards to studio that is the problem. I will say this though. These tiles will do very little for acoustical solutions, and virtually nothing for sound transmission loss. But without knowing your whole situation, what the hell, I'd grab them, if for nothing else but the floor if you wanted a carpeted section. Or stack a few for isolating amps or mic stands. Now, I remember back in the 60's :rolleyes: the big rage for club acoustics, and even some quasi studio acoustics, they put these things on the walls in a checkerboard pattern. This created a diffusion of sort, although absorption by the tiles is limited to HiZ at best. Looked ugly to me though. Most of the time it was red carpet and mirror squares...uuuuggg!
fitZ
 
Those tiles are great wearing, so if you have a high traffic area its a great solution. And, they are replacable individually should you puncture one by dragging a fridge or something like that across - no need to tear up an entire room carpet for repair.

Generally, they are made of synthetic materials, so expect static electricity issues during the dry, winter season if your climate is such. Static electricity and digital recording gear generally is a bad mix...

In my last pro studio, we used tiles like that (in black, actually) in the foyer, the kitchen, the main hallway, and used hardwoods in the live rooms, the two console rooms, and the three vocal booths. We had a nice big imitation oriental rug in one of the live rooms too, created a nice ambience.

I've also used them for vibrational isolation in live rooms before... but not as a permanent fixture. I recall one particular band that used to bring in a Peavey TKO65 bass amp, your standard really heavy all-in-one bass amp, and for whatever reason we couldn't get it not to vibrate on the hardwood floor, so I placed two layers of those tiles, in a 4x4 pattern on the floor, we tossed the amp on top of it, and the vibration between the worn "feet" of the amp and the hardwood, immediately ceased.

They are useful things for sure, but I wouldn't litter my entire studio with them.
 
Thanks for the advice. I ended up bringing a bunch of them home, and I'll just end up using them on the floor. They wear well and can be easily replaced. I was hoping to glue them to the drywall to help reduce the sound leaving the basement. I live in a townhouse, and I am only really worried about the neighbor on one side. My girlfriend lives on the other side, but thats another story. I am planning to finish off my basement, and so far I have only put wood studs on the walls. There is also styrofoam (2" thick) between the joists. The room is about 14 x 18 and about 8 feet high (open joists at the ceiling). I am just in the beginning process of planning my studio and needed some quick and dirty (did I say cheap?) ways of doing some soundproofing. I also am planning on having a few friends over to rehearse and play and record. Nothing blasting, just some classic rock. So I don't have too many options (inexpensive) to soundproof the basement. I have comsidered the rigid foam insulation, and this seems that it is the only way to go. Does anyone have any suggestions on anything else that I can use?
 
So far, you've mentioned everything except what will WORK - for a much better idea of what actually DOES work, read at LEAST the first 2-3 links here -

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2125

All the stuff you mentioned, unless it's FREE, won't do ANYTHING for sound proofing OR improve your sound inside the room (two almost entirely SEPARATE things) - and even if it IS free, is your time worth anything?

If, however, you just want a simple answer that doesn't work and will waste your time, please DON'T read the stuff I linked to; not trying to be snotty, I just don't know whether you're serious or not - if you are, you'll need to learn a few basic principles of isolation or you'll waste your money and time and STILL piss off your neighbors.

HTH... Steve
 
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