Turning my 8x10 shed into a studio

[morbe]

I'm turning my 8x10 wood shed in my back yard into a studio and all my instruments are going to be inserted via midi controller to computer. The loudest instrument that I will have is an electric drum kit (also connected via midi), and some very intense vocals that may be as loud as a yell. I dont plan to sound proof the shed because I really dont want to spend a lot of money on a shed that can easily be converted back into a storage shed. but I it needs to be able to at least reduce the output of sound going to the outside. I do plan to insulate it since it used to store old photos and things that cant get too hot. and I noticed that Lowes had sound absorbing insulation but was more than twice as much as regular insulation. I felt the material used and the materials from the sound absorbing and regular insulation felt and seemed identical. first I plan to spray some air tight foam in the crack and crevices of the shed to make it air tight. but my main question is all insulation sound absorbing to a certain extent?

 

[miroslav]

Soundproofing is not an easy thing to do, and you don't have enough space for it, since it would require some layers of more than foam and insulation.

With what you have to work with, do the most/best you can to improve things, but don't expect complete soundproofing.
You're bigger problem will be comfort and acoustics inside that small room.

 

[rob aylestone]

It's quite doable, but a couple of things worry me. The first is simply the size. It's too small! You'll fill it too easily - and the sound proofing will eat into the size. If the framing of the shed is something like 25x75, then with the external cladding you can fill the stud work with insulation, but the outer single skin won't offer much in the way of an acoustic barrier. So inside you will need mass - plenty of it. I would be looking at a sandwich of 12mm plasterboard, insulation board then more plasterboard and the MDF on the inside - so the inner shell would be nearly two inches thick. This is fine on the walls, but if it has a sloping or pitched roof, then this kind of weight is too much for standard shed style timber, so either reinforcing with decent capacity joists, or replacing the roof altogether, will be needed. You need to do the floor too of course, and typical sheds are not that high - so it can get very tricky. If I was going to do this, I'd probably start from scratch and build the entire thing new. Most sheds are pretty flimsy, so building a solid structure inside with an air gap makes sense - BUT - it eats up space very quickly. The mechanics are simple, the construction not hard for a DIYer, but before spending the money - can you make it bigger?

 

[morbe]

Soundproofing is not an easy thing to do, and you don't have enough space for it, since it would require some layers of more than foam and insulation.

With what you have to work with, do the most/best you can to improve things, but don't expect complete soundproofing.
You're bigger problem will be comfort and acoustics inside that small room.

Thanks Mir, I dont even want to think about sound proofing, I did some research and I do not want to even think about tackling a project like that! I understand that I wont sound proof this shed. No Guitars will be electrified and the drums will be electric too but they do make a bit of clatter then you hit the pads especially the symbol pads. and again my vocals tend to get a little loud. I just need to take down the sound a bit. Ideally I need the noise to be cut down or absorbed a bit so that by the time it gets out of the shed and travels 10 feet to my house its barley heard.

I still have to insulate the shed and I'm not expecting insulation to sound proof my no means, I just got a little excited when I was that there was sound absorbing insulation. I also planned to insulate roof, sides and lay carpet on the walls and ceiling. That really is the best I can do. and really more than I would like to spend on a shed LOL

 

[rob aylestone]

In that case, it's not just sound, but damp. Sheds are rarely sealed, they allow airflow in - often around the eaves, and my shed, used for proper shed like purposes means electronics get very wet when temperatures change as the metal can't change temperature quick enough, so moisture condenses on it - and can even start to rust and go mouldy.

 

[morbe]

In that case, it's not just sound, but damp. Sheds are rarely sealed, they allow airflow in - often around the eaves, and my shed, used for proper shed like purposes means electronics get very wet when temperatures change as the metal can't change temperature quick enough, so moisture condenses on it - and can even start to rust and go mouldy.

Yes I have thought of that as well, Any suggestion there? I sure dont want outside water getting in. Perhaps Felt paper on the inside walls before the carpet goes can keep out moisture from out side. Im hoping it being completely insulated and sealed with caulking and air tight foam will allow the temperature to fluctuate at a more desired rate.

 

[mjbphotos]

Air conditioning? Heating? Dehumidification? Power supply? Not to mention recording anything but electronic stuff (no mics!) and mixing are out of the question in such a small space.

 

[morbe]

It already has electricity to it. I was planning on putting in a window rattler in for some AC. As for Heating in the winter, there is plenty of heat in my part of Texas. Every instrument was going to be used via DAW even electric drum kit. I think I may just use the shed as an over rated vocal booth at this point.