Batten Channel as Replacement for Resilient Channel?

Hi gang, We're going to relocate our studio soon. We are quite intent on implementing resilient channel on our (MSM) walls BUT there are no Resilient Channels available in the Philippines. It would be very costly to import heavy and large materials such as Resilient Channels. Questions: 1. The only viable replacement we've found is the attached image, referred to as a Batten Channel. 2. Is this a HAT CHANNEL? Are the benefits of using Resilient Channel lost with this replacement? 3. If this is a viable replacement, what is the best way to attach it to the studs? Rivets or screws? Clips (which models - small items like clips I can order from the US) 4. Any suggestions/insights/workaround/adaptation is most welcome. thanks a lot in advance.

Gerry, I know exactly what you man about the costs pf imports to the islands...... it's insane. I designed the new "H" room that a company called Hit Productions just opened in the Philippines, and the imports cost them a ton of bread. I have to tell you that the Hat Section (and yes that is what the picture is of) is pretty much useless for isolation by itself - great when coupled with RISC clips - but useless by itself. But then again - in comparison to double wall construction - so isn't RC-1 - so I have to ask you - why aren't you just building nice neat isolated walls and not taking the chance of shorts with things like resilient channels? You would be so much happier in the end with your results. Rod

Oh ROD! Thanks for the reply, SIR. I was concerned with the self-defeating exercise that's why I asked on this the best recording studio building forum. I've read much of the threads here, using RC's, or hat channels thought of as RC's.... Of course, I'm looking for the maximum STC rating I can get out of two leaf - double stud walls, I really wish for the additional 5 STC points that RC's can give especially since I record (and intend to continue) a lot of live band sessions. I desire for better monitoring of live performance. So, it's pretty much a useless exercise and a waste of money and time to go with these hat channels, then. Going with RISC ($10 a pop) is costly. And I'm actually being entertained by a steel mfg company about custom fabrication of my RC requirements. Hot damn. The good thing is at this stage of my experience (age) I tend to heed the voice of reason A LOT! than relying on instincts, gut feel or plain old pride (coz I can afford it type of crap). Btw, I have seen pictures of the H room, really great looking room. Also heard a drum recording in the room, deep round bottom and sweet highs. Great job there ROD! It might be worth mentioning that I just advised a guy building his own room a couple of months ago. And I was so relieved when the first thing he showed me was your book. All I had to to was to explain in layman's terms and he GOT IT! thanks for the reply and I love your book, in the same way I love F Alton Everest's and the one he did with Mike Shea.

If you had the time would angle grinding 1 leg of the "hat" off, turn thie available product into something useful??

lilith_envy wrote:

If you had the time would angle grinding 1 leg of the "hat" off, turn thie available product into something useful??

LE, No it wouldn't - this because even with RC-1 - it isn't the lack of the leg that makes it work - it's all thouse little holes that run up along the side of the channel........... Rod

Sound-Weavers.com wrote:

Of course, I'm looking for the maximum STC rating I can get out of two leaf - double stud walls, I really wish for the additional 5 STC points that RC's can give especially since I record (and intend to continue) a lot of live band sessions. I desire for better monitoring of live performance.

Well if you are already building double walled construction - adding RC would be defeating your purpose - it is a no gain in double wall construction - so don't throw your money away. Just do a real good job of maintaining your isolated construction - don't develope any form of coupling between the 2 - and you will do just fine. If you really want to add some beef for the buck - then consider green glue - it will give you leaps and bounds over anything else you could add to the wall assembly.

Btw, I have seen pictures of the H room, really great looking room. Also heard a drum recording in the room, deep round bottom and sweet highs. Great job there ROD! It might be worth mentioning that I just advised a guy building his own room a couple of months ago. And I was so relieved when the first thing he showed me was your book. All I had to to was to explain in layman's terms and he GOT IT! thanks for the reply and I love your book, in the same way I love F Alton Everest's and the one he did with Mike Shea.

The H room is a great facility - has an absolutely sweet string room as well as the main room - and I am very pround to have been a part of it. I became fast friends with Dennis Chan - he is one of the finest owners I have ever done business with.......... I want to thank you for your kind words, but I do not consider myself in the league with Everest or Mike Shea, I'm just a small town country boy....... them boys is big players.......... Sincerely, Rod Gervais

rod gervais wrote:

If you really want to add some beef for the buck - then consider green glue - it will give you leaps and bounds over anything else you could add to the wall assembly.

While GG is on the top of my list - of course it's not available here. I can either get that in Taiwan/Singapore or I might as well do a quick trip to the US and have them (and other bulky items) shipped ocean freight.

rod gervais wrote:

lilith_envy wrote:

If you had the time would angle grinding 1 leg of the "hat" off, turn thie available product into something useful??

LE, No it wouldn't - this because even with RC-1 - it isn't the lack of the leg that makes it work - it's all thouse little holes that run up along the side of the channel........... Rod

The steel company replied about custom fabrication - they cannot punch holed on their hat channels - they cannot really fabricate RC according to spec, they can only fold steel on a manual calibration basis I'm not going to waste money with such a workaround anymore. Thanks again for the insight Rod.

I'm not going to waste money with such a workaround anymore. Thanks again for the insight Rod.

I don't know if you saw that Rod also mentioned that even if you could get proper resilient channel where you are, it still would not be worth it: It won't help you at all, in your case, since you said you are already building double-stud walls. Putting RC on top of that would be extra time, money and effort for no reason. If you build double-stud walls properly, then you already have things about as decoupled as you can get, so adding RC would be pointless. RC is only useful where you have no choice but to use singles stud walls, or on ceilings where your only option is existing joists with a floor right on top, and cases like that. Just my two cents worth! - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

I don't know if you saw that Rod also mentioned that even if you could get proper resilient channel where you are, it still would not be worth it: It won't help you at all, in your case, since you said you are already building double-stud walls. - Stuart -

Thanks for the reply Stuart. I got that part indeed. That was a major misconception on my part that using RC will help in all situations, apparently not. It was also good to know Rod's suggestion of Green Glue as a better solution to increase the STC of my Control Room and Live Room walls.