Standard Ceiling Tile?

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jsrm0226

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I have a 12' x 13' room (8' ceiling) in my house with painted drywall on all sides and hard wood floors. It's an acoustics disaster - unless you enjoy the loud echo and reverb given off by a drumset. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how to prevent this? I will be laying carpet/rug very soon. But I've heard that standard ceiling tile absorbs sound well? Like the stuff you see in schools and buildings. It's not exspensive and I was wondering if that would be a good choice. Thanks for any help.
 
In a room like that you need to absorb the low mids. You need something that absorbs lower frequencies like rigid fiberglass. Those ceiling tiles will only absorb high frequencies leaving your room sounding dead and boomy.
 
Where would I get fiberglass, is that called 703? How much is it? Thanks.
 
I wanted to bump this up since I had the same question -- I'm beginning from scratch, building a room in the basement.

But do I put in a drop ceiling or make it out of drywall? Also, should I build walls in the corners to begin with?

Like this...
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My space will be about 12x20.
 
Sorry -- that picture didn't come out right. But I think you get my drift -- so that the room will have a slight octagon shape.
 
Guys,

> do I put in a drop ceiling or make it out of drywall? <

Tex nailed it. Cheap "acoustic" tiles are not much of a solution for treating a room where the goal is high-quality music reproduction. For the complete story see the Acoustics FAQ, second in the list on my Articles page:

www.ethanwiner.com/articles.html

--Ethan
 
"high-quality music reproduction"
Click to expand...


Ah, here's where you're working under a faulty assumption! :D

My goal is to keep it simple, not perfect. I'm not a perfectionist -- this is a hobby, not an obsession. Therefore, I don't intend to make the space perfect. Nor do I want to spend a lot more time or money than is 'worth it' for me. Will my music suffer? Yes. Do I care? Not really. Will I change my mind in ten years, wishing I had done it perfectly to begin with? Who knows?! If I can still enjoy writing songs in ten years, I'll be happy!

I guess my goal is to create a comfortable, usable space, not a high-quality studio.

All this is to say thanks, Ethan. I've read your FAQ and you certainly seem to know your stuff. I appreciate the feedback!

G
 
GM,

> my goal is to create a comfortable, usable space, not a high-quality studio. <

Then why are you here asking what type of ceiling to have?

--Ethan
 
Good question -- I care as much as there's a difference , I'm sure, between drywall and dropped ceiling tiles, being the most available and practical choices. So, within my budget and within these choices, what are some pros/cons of each?

That is, I care to some degree.

Sorry for the confusion.

G
 
G,

> what are some pros/cons of each? <

I'm afraid it's apples and oranges. Sheetrock blocks sound from getting in and out of the room, but makes the LF response in the room worse. Ceiling tiles and other absorbers make the sound better inside the room, but don't help with isolation. Further, ceiling tiles absorb mids and highs, but not lows. You need absorption at all frequencies, and especially at the low end.

--Ethan
 
jsrm0226 said:
Where would I get fiberglass, is that called 703? How much is it? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes that is 703. You can get it from commercial insulation suppliers. It usually runs about $.75 per sqft.
 
Ethan, does the ceiling tile reflect bass or do low frequencies pass through it? Is it thus worthwhile to insulate above a drop ceiling?
 
Hils,

> does the ceiling tile reflect bass or do low frequencies pass through it? <

Take a guess. :D

Yes, bass passes right through it, so insulting above tiles is useful.

--Ethan
 
would it make sense to get some 702 and hang it like a dropped ceiling?

now were talkin...
 
Biles,

> would it make sense to get some [703] and hang it like a dropped ceiling? <

Yes. That's called a cloud.

--Ethan
 
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