What would you do? / help

[yvesa]

Hi,
I will be starting to build a semi-studio type thing next weekend - basicaly a space where I can record and play as a band, nothing professional.

I'm been reading up on soundproofing and studio setups and I'm a bit confused. Since this won't be anything professional is there a way (with standard building materials) that I can do a decent job?
My main objective is going to be soundproofing the ceiling and the window(s).

I was thinking it might be interesting to see how you guys would set this up.

The attached image is of my basement. I plan on taking 1/2 of to make that into my studio/practice room. The other half will be my kids playroom.

This is what I was thinking...
I want to take the upper area and only build one wall since that way I only need to make one wall (cheaper) see second image (basement_02)

The upper floor in that space in the kitchen and has a tile floor, I assume that maybe this might block sound better then the hardwood floor that is on the rest of the second floor?

Some other info:
- The're 2 windows on the right side. (The neighbors house don't have windows facing them)
- The ceilings are flat (no ducks etc)
- All walls/ceiling right now are covers with sheetrock. The walls are insolated, the ceiling isn't.
- The basement walls are 3/4 underground.
- There's are no columns or anything, just the stairs.

I guess that was a 2 question post.
Thanks

 

[bpape]

To block the sound to/from the window, consider building a 'plug' that will insert into the opening. Fill it with soft absorbtion and have an MDF face on the front with a couple of handles for easy removal.

As for the floor above, a tile floor will transmit noise down INTO your room much worse than a carpeted floor. Plan on filling the joist cavities with insulation and doing a drywall ceiling. If you have to go with suspended, beef up the hanging frame track so you can lay drywall squares on top of the ceiling tiles for extra isolation.

Bryan

 

[yvesa]

a tile floor will transmit noise down INTO your room much worse than a carpeted floor

Doh

Is a tile floor worse then a hardwood floor? We have no carpet on the second floor.
The above area (top of the picture) is our kitchen and it gets less 'traffic' then the lower area where we have our living room upstairs with tv etc.

Thanks for the tips

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

I will be starting to build a semi-studio type thing next weekend

I'm been reading up on soundproofing and studio setups and I'm a bit confused. Since this won't be anything professional is there a way (with standard building materials) that I can do a decent job?

Define "decent job". You say you are starting next weekend but you haven't even defined the goal. Hmmmm.

I was thinking it might be interesting to see how you guys would set this up.

Set what up? So far, you've told us there are window, tiles on the kitchen floor above, wood floor on the rest of the upstairs floor, existing drywall on walls and ceiling, and you want to build a wall. So what do you want to know????

I can tell you this though. If you want to isolate this space from the upstairs, get ready for a reality check.

 

[yvesa]

Define "decent job". You say you are starting next weekend but you haven't even defined the goal. Hmmmm.

My first goal is to define the space I need to get enough room to get my desk setup and a band.
The band will come later on so right now I'm more interested in setting up a nice environment to play/record in.

Set what up? So far, you've told us there are window, tiles on the kitchen floor above, wood floor on the rest of the upstairs floor, existing drywall on walls and ceiling, and you want to build a wall. So what do you want to know????

I was curious on how you guys would go about splitting the area if you have half that space to work with.
Example, the lower area of the image shows odd wall construction, If this is better then flat walls then it would make more sense to possibly have the room in that area instead of the upper area like I showed on the second image.
The thing I know nothing about is studio acoustics but I'm reading up on that aswell. I was wondering how you guys would setup an open room like that to make it sound 'good'.

I can tell you this though. If you want to isolate this space from the upstairs, get ready for a reality check.

As of right now with the loudness I set my amp to record my wife upstairs can barely hear it, so just making a room farther away from the living room with standard walls will help a bit in that department.
I'm aware that the ceiling will be the hardest to isolate if I have drums there - I'm more concern with sound (drums) bothering the neighbours then the upstairs though.

If I stick with what I had planned I will build a double wall. I have no idea how to setup studio acoustics though like I previously mentioned.