Soundproofing Summer House

[clivus]

I think that the cheapest solution is PLAYING SOFTER. Seriously, in a 15x20 room you and your buds will be destroying your senses of hearing by playing at a sustained level over 85-90 dB for long periods of time. Have your drummer use taped rods instead of heavy sticks and back the amps down. Save the big noise for the big venues, IMHO.

 

[mcald123]

Unfortunately i don't have 1k to spend, are there any measures to cut down the noise particularly the high end? Im not too worried about complete soundproofing.

The other problem is were playing thrash metal, so lowering the noise by playing softer is almost impossible, as the drummer has to hit hard, and we have to be heard over him.

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Bolt down 2x4's to attach your wall frames to, then frame out the walls taking care to add a door frame. Next, attach the roof rafters for your mini house inside a house. You can get away with 2X6 I think. Then, have a professional run some electrical outlets and lighting. Attach fire rated sheetrock to outside walls, insulate the walls and ceiling, and then sheetrock the inside. Caulk the uneven floor corners. Buy a solid door and weatherproof it.

This is probably the best bang for your buck.

No it isn't. In fact, unless you de-couple the floor from the existing construction, ROOM within a ROOM technique is a waste of money and time.

The best bang for your "buck" is using Resiliant channel and 2 layers of 5/8" drywall. Not easy to do CORRECTLY...but I submit it IS the "best bang for your buck". PERIOD. Add more mass to the exterior, caulk all existing air leaks, Use a DOUBLE Solid core door system, and build a DIY decoupled floor system utilizing 1/2"carpet underlayment, 3/4" MDF, and a layer of laminate flooring. However, when you "soundproof" a structure, you "airproof" it at the same time. Which, if I remember correctly, even musicians like to breath. This means, now you must PENETRATE this "airproof" envelope to allow fresh air in.....which is a whole nuther' problem, which there is no need to go into at this point.

I'm only 15 years old so it preferably needs to be a relatively cheap method.

Unfortunately, physics doesn't come with a caveat whereby age and financial situation exempts your construction from its effects. Sorry.
Either you do it right and succeed, or you don't.
Transmission Loss construction is neither cheap nor intuitive. However, there IS cheapER methodolgy as I mentioned above. However, the Law of dimenishing return is in full force. Containment of high SPL low frequencies, is not only difficult, the lower the frequency, the more difficult it is to contain. And at some point(40-50hz at 110dba) is almost impossible, unless you have VERY deep pockets, and start from the ground up.

I was also wondering would it be cheaper to section the building off so that i only needed to soundproof a smaller area, although it would still have to fit a drum kit, amps and room for 4 players to play at once.[/QUOTE]

uh, you are correct. It would be cheaper.....but your caveat remains the "x" in the equasion. Your existing room BARELY meets your caveat parameters already.

If money is the determining factor, here is the CHEAPEST solution.















As the last poster says........turn it down.

 

[Yonce N Mild]

The other problem is were playing thrash metal, so lowering the noise by playing softer is almost impossible, as the drummer has to hit hard, and we have to be heard over him.

This isn't totally true. Sometimes turning everything down a bit helps you hear everything better. Especially in a small room. You can also position your amps and PA speakers so they are off the floor pointing at your head so they don't need to be as loud for you to hear them. Like I said before we play metal and I can relate to the volume issues. Our issues with noise wasn't neighbors it was that the PA couldn't keep up with the guitar amps and drums so we couldn't hear the vocals. We were able to turn everything down significantly and yes the drummer did play a little softer The result was less volume and an overall better sound in the room.

Unfortunately i don't have 1k to spend, are there any measures to cut down the noise particularly the high end? Im not too worried about complete soundproofing.

Look for weak spots in the structure that may be "leaking" sound. Think about it as if you are going to fill the room with water, where would the water leak out? Cracks in windows, gaps under doors, ventilation and the like. Plug that stuff up. Are the windows super thin and cheap? Add some super thick curtains or board them up.

What is the construction of the room like? Doors? Windows? Walls? Ventilation?

 

[moresound]

It's my parents house but they've said i can use the summer house down the end of the garden for band practice and i can do what i want with it. I have read about using reflective sheets round the drums to mute the sound etc. But i get the general impression that these don't work. I'm not looking for complete sound isolation but i just need to get it down enough that it isn't a total ear sore.

The reason I ask is that your parents should also be with you as an adult buffer when talking to your neighbors about this project for it could be very easy for them to thumb their noses at you.

 

[mcald123]

This isn't totally true. Sometimes turning everything down a bit helps you hear everything better. Especially in a small room. You can also position your amps and PA speakers so they are off the floor pointing at your head so they don't need to be as loud for you to hear them. Like I said before we play metal and I can relate to the volume issues. Our issues with noise wasn't neighbors it was that the PA couldn't keep up with the guitar amps and drums so we couldn't hear the vocals. We were able to turn everything down significantly and yes the drummer did play a little softer The result was less volume and an overall better sound in the room.






What is the construction of the room like? Doors? Windows? Walls? Ventilation?

It is a big open room constructed of wooden panels. There are two windows with thing double glazing and a double door with single glazed floor. The room is big with lots of hard dense surfaces, which i'm sure makes the high end noise a whole lot worst.



Moresound, I've asked my mum to have a word with the neighbours and discuss what they are willing to put up with and when are the best times to rehearse

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[undrgrnd studio]

No it isn't. In fact, unless you de-couple the floor from the existing construction, ROOM within a ROOM technique is a waste of money and time.

The best bang for your "buck" is using Resiliant channel and 2 layers of 5/8" drywall. Not easy to do CORRECTLY...but I submit it IS the "best bang for your buck". PERIOD. Add more mass to the exterior, caulk all existing air leaks, Use a DOUBLE Solid core door system, and build a DIY decoupled floor system utilizing 1/2"carpet underlayment, 3/4" MDF, and a layer of laminate flooring. However, when you "soundproof" a structure, you "airproof" it at the same time. Which, if I remember correctly, even musicians like to breath. This means, now you must PENETRATE this "airproof" envelope to allow fresh air in.....which is a whole nuther' problem, which there is no need to go into at this point.

You know, if the floor is on a concrete slab I think it would work fine. And this method does indeed work. I know, because I did it and I play live music at 2am in basement studio connected to two other townhouses. In two years I have never had one complaint or even a casual mention of any noise. The biggest problem by FAR is the air flow and heat build up. You are absolutely correct. This is a problem. Any solution to this problem is expensive, like a ventless air conditioning system. But the way we do it is, are you ready for this??? OPEN THE DOOR ON BREAKS. That's the poor man method to budget soundproofing.

 

[moresound]

Moresound, I've asked my mum to have a word with the neighbours and discuss what they are willing to put up with and when are the best times to rehearse

Good for I'm sure that you'll get a better response that way....Be sure not to play up the fact that your going to be play on 11.



cool

 

[clivus]

The other problem is were playing thrash metal, so lowering the noise by playing softer is almost impossible, as the drummer has to hit hard, and we have to be heard over him.

I believe that loud players CHOOSE to play loud because they have not fully explored ways to play softer, or their egos get in the way. Either way, your ability to hear well later can be greatly impacted by your playing levels now. Take care of yourself, as you are not as bulletproof as you may think.

 

[mcald123]

I believe that loud players CHOOSE to play loud because they have not fully explored ways to play softer, or their egos get in the way. Either way, your ability to hear well later can be greatly impacted by your playing levels now. Take care of yourself, as you are not as bulletproof as you may think.

Haha, so true man, i've began to where some ear protection now at gigs.

As to the drummer, he's pretty good at playing soft, but it just doesn't sound great when your playing thrash metal. Also he has to play pretty loud as to allow him to play the faster bits of songs.

 

[clivus]

good call on the ear protection!

 

[Supercreep]

You know, if the floor is on a concrete slab I think it would work fine. And this method does indeed work. I know, because I did it and I play live music at 2am in basement studio connected to two other townhouses. In two years I have never had one complaint or even a casual mention of any noise. The biggest problem by FAR is the air flow and heat build up. You are absolutely correct. This is a problem. Any solution to this problem is expensive, like a ventless air conditioning system. But the way we do it is, are you ready for this??? OPEN THE DOOR ON BREAKS. That's the poor man method to budget soundproofing.

No, it would obviate the interior walls because of structural transmission of energy from the floor to the original walls. Rick knows his shit.