Turning a bedroom into a studio

[Chris Fallen]

This is my first time stepping into this forum and checking it out. I'm going to be moving into my aunt and uncle's downstairs basement type place. I want to be able to record and such, so I'd like to sound dampen/proof it. The problem is, I don't know if they'll let me mod any of the room.

So. I need some help on ideas that'll be effective for keeping in all the noise I plan on making. Hah. I need to pay a lot of attention to the ceileing, because as an unfortunate result of being on the bottom floor, their room is right above me. Bah.

I've seen those little styrofoam pieces around and have been wondering if those help at all. Also, would hanging blankets or something like that on the walls help to dampen the sound? What would be best on the ceiling, since it'll have to hang from it?

*edit* I forgot that I made a really crappy MS Paint diagram of the room I'm going to be in. The little squares by the desk are monitors. Hah. Anyway. Everyone else seemed to be doing it so I just went ahead and did it in case it'll help. I don't think I can attatch it without reposting, so I'll answer my own post with it.

Christopher

 

[Chris Fallen]

Here ya go.

 

[SalJustSal]

You're not going to be able to stop any loud low range frequencies. In order to do that you'll need to build some kind of false ceiling with a lot of weight built into it (which isn't an option I know).

Here's a few tips to help on mid and high frequencies though...

Usually the door is one of the biggest problems. A non-permanent modifications would be to get a sandbag and place it along the bottom of it while you're recording.

If the ceiling is unfinished, you could staple some insulation into the rafters, or something heavier. The best way to stop sound is with shear weight. Anything you can do to putting weight above you will help to some extent.

If you have those tiny basement windows, pack sandbags into them (sound will go through the window, outside, and back though upstairs windows). If you have larger windows, some heavier curtains would help.

Also, record and mix at normal volumes (blasting volumes aren't good for mixing anyway).

Get a good set of headphones for any "afterhours" work. These may not be the best for mixing, but it's better than nothing.

I guess it all depends on what you are trying to record... Drumsets could be major problems, while acoustic and vocals, not much of one at all.

hope some of this helps,
-Sal

 

[A1A2]

if you have the space, you might wanna conider putting your desk away from corners/walls. From looking at your your picture, your right speaker will probably be louder than the other. Plus the bass frequency will be louder than usual by placing your speakers close to the walls.
Even I am saying all these, my desk is against the wall and in the corner! lol, wish I had more space

oh, sound deading wise, you might wanna look into carpet pads(?) a friend of mine mentioned it earlier. It's the layer that goes underneath the carpet.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Low priced Conveluted foam.

I get my studio foam from these guys for 80.00 for 2, 7'x8' sheets.

amfoam.com

Its fire retardent and same as auralux but you will spend arround 250.00 for the same amount of it from Mars.