Basement Studio

Hello Folks- I am new here, as of 5 minutes ago. I just bought a townhouse and want to use a portion of the basement for teaching drums and recording music. Now, I know people on other forums have said "it is impossible to be 100 percent soundproof" and "unless you have alot of $$$, dont waste your time". I am looking to get the best STC for my buck, without spending thousands of dollars. Right now, the contruction I have is a concrete wall in the basement, which is the one shared wall with our neighbors. This is an END unit townhouse, by the way. The ceilings are 8 feet high. Right now, the concrete wall, which I beleive is 8" thick, is finished on both sides (my house and his house). Both finishing is done with Single Drywall over 2x4 studs. My plan was to A) rip down what is existing there and put up either a Double wall (2x4, 4" of space, 2x4), or put up a 2x6 staggered stud wall, or B) put additional drywall over the existing drywall (it is 5/8" thick). I have the option to do both, so what would be the best method for that wall? Also, I am thinking of doing something to the ceiling. Right now, it is a drop ceiling with 2x2' panals. I can replace that as well, if nessecary. Since the teaching will provide good income, spending a little is an option. Again, not thousands and thousands, but you get the point. Also, I have a few people helping me with the contruction itself. Thanks for any advice you have. Matt

Hey Matt, not really a lot of information to go on, well, except for "without spending thousands of dollars". Since you just want opinions, and I have one, maybe I can help. "... which is the one shared wall with our neighbors. Right now, the concrete wall, which I beleive is 8" thick, is finished on both sides (my house and his house). Both finishing is done with Single Drywall over 2x4 studs." The shared wall is going to be the most difficult area to address. Not the wall but the airborne sound that gets over the top via whatever flimsy situation is currently installed. The ceiling needs to be addressed. Not a simple thing like take away the ceiling panels, which you may wind up doing, but to add density to that overhead area. If I were in your space, reading further on this topic would be a priority. If you don't want to spend the money for materials, your going to really need to know more then just a general laypersons words to correct some of the deficiencies.

Xspace- Thanks for your help. When I look at the area, my first thought was "The sound is going hop right over the concrete wall". As much as the soundproof walls are important, I do feel the ceiling is just as, if not more important. What are my options with the ceilings? Should I keep the drop ceilings in there or put a new one in? Should I put more treatment in the area where the ceiling and the wall meet? If so, what? I agree though, that putting up a soundproofwall will be pointless if the sound just goes over it.

You've really got to think of what level of sound and what frequencies of sound you want to prevent from transmitting through the structure. You replied to xSpace with a point about the sound travelling over the wall and while that is true it's not a complete picture of what would be happenning if you had 4 walls of mass installed with a suspended ceiling. A suspended ceiling wouldn't address the lower frequencies that the other walls would be effective with. Your sound wouldn't just be going over that wall you mention, but vibrate the floor above the room. The best thing you can do is find literature either through this site in the reference section or as many have done here - get rod's book. For the maximum effectiveness, you'll want to get as close to a room within a room as you can with as little contact points as possible to transmit sound to the walls and ceilings surrounding your room. Find information about rc clips, risc, wic, hat/furringchannels to buffer frames and even independantly framed ceilings and how those can be done. Then move on to the subtleties of every piece of the puzzle. Trust me there are tons of subtleties to be dealt with in overcomming unique needs of your room. best of luck. If you spend time now learning, you're going to save and do it effectively with a better informed mind.

Cram- thanks for the info about the book. I am gonna pick it up today. Thanks!