Isolation Booth - Need Advice

Hello All, I’ve been quiet observer of this site for over a year and I must say I am very impressed with the level of expertise that is present on this site. Currently I am building a modest project studio in Queens, New York (USA). The studio is in a rented space on the second floor of a commercial building (there are only two floors). Since I work mostly at night there really isn’t problem with the level of noise that I’m making, as this is a primarily commercial area. I do however need to isolate my ISO booth from incoming noise (i.e. there’s a bus stop on the side walk right under me. In accordance to forum rules please note the following: Room Dimensions – 10 x 9.5 feet w/ available ceiling height of 8.5 feet Noise Levels outside – I don’t have SPL values, however the bus line and the occasional Police/Fire Truck/Ambulance siren noise is the most noticeable (and the targets of my isolation effort) Budget – I am willing to spend as much as $1,000 US to build the ISO Room (I have access to more $$, however I’d like to cap my budget there) Issues – The existing walls do not rise up to the ceiling joists, there is a drop ceiling that is about 7 feet 10 inches high. There are remnants of previous ceilings (tin tiles etc higher up, but I want to leave that stuff alone…the demo itself would be a nightmare). There is also a circuit box in this room, as well as a window. My plan is to remove the drop ceiling, frame 4 walls inside of the room (8 feet high), and run new joists across and create a new ceiling. I would use 1 sheet of 5/8 drywall on the exterior side, with 3” insulation in the cavity, followed by 2 sheets of drywall on the interior side, using green glue in-between the 2 sheets. I would also use the 3” insulation and the 2 sheets of 5/8” drywall in the ceiling as well (using the Green Glue in-between as well). Obviously this plan dictates that I cover up the circuit box (as well as the windows) with walls. I am planning on installing a solid core door in front the circuit box so I don’t lose too much of the isolation benefits but at the same time maintaining access to the circuit box. My real question is, before I spend the money to build, is my plan solid enough to provide decent isolation? Or am I way off base? Any suggestions will also be appreciated. I have included a (very bad) Sketchup drawing and a wall cross section pic below. Thanks in advance for the help! Lew Savage

The wall construction looks fine- pretty standard- should get decent isolation. That's the easy part. There are so many more important details to worry about though: air, electricity, building codes, landlords, etc. I wish it was as easy as throwing a few walls and a ceiling up but it's not...

Thanks Buddy. You are right, there are plenty of additional details to deal with, but I have been able to get a bunch of solutions/ideas from all of the great posts that I've read in the forum. The walls were my greatest concern. Thanks for replying! Lew

Difficult to say Lew. It's going to be difficult to stop siren noise. Not knowing much about the physical aspects of the building it is still guessing about how your sketchup layout would fit into your space. I'm going to go out on a limb, because I'm feelin' squirrelly ;) The wall you are displaying is going to create a three leaf in your building...maybe even 4. That's only a bad thing if you know it going in.