Hi all, just to let you know this is my first post. And it is really a post out of confused desperation.
Basically, I run a rehearsal place in the Uk, which has several rooms to hire for rehearsal. The construction of them is;
soundbloc plasterbard/4inch joist (with insulation)/soundbloc plasterboard/airgap/soundbloc plasterboard/4inch joist (with insulation)/soundbloc plasterboard.- I am just mentioning this, so you will know how much noise there is.
Anyway, we are wanting to put a recording studio section our building somewhere and try as i may, i cannot find the answers i am looking for. SO:
the perimeter wall of the studio is made from bricks/blocks 100mm thick. In a rectangular shape. So, i could only realistically board the inside wall and then build from there on the inside.
Here are a few ideas for wall layouts, let me know which is best, or suggest your own;
IDEA 1
perimeter wall (blocks)/soundbloc plasterboardx1/air space/soundbloc plasterboardx1/Studwork(with insulation)/soundbloc plasterboardsx2
IDEA 2
perimeter wall (blocks) Studwork (with insualtion)/ Soundbloc Plasterboardx2
Which of these will be best, or are there any better soloutions, bearing in mind that always, the perimeter wall will be blocks, which i can only board on the inside.
Apologies for the longwindedness of the question, but i wanted to make it clear!
recording studio in a rehearsal studio: help
Originally posted at johnlsayers.com, topic 15583.
Dear confused desperation,
IDEA 3: Read and search the threads on this forum until you have an understanding of what it is you are doing...Once you do this, the anxiety and the confusion will go away. As you read and search more your newly found peace and relief will be replaced with anxiety over new found information that takes you even further into the "black magic" that is acoustics.
That is kind of a joke, but not so much:) Any project that starts with high anxiety(that I have seen here) never turns out well because there is an "urgency" that exists from lack of information/experience and an unreal time-line for completion.
Read...re-read, continue searching until you have answers...then we can help:) We also appreciate pictures and drawings of the existing space and the wanted new space...with accurate measurements...then these people will help you in ways like you have never experienced...and that is a good thing.
Adding to what Brien already said, you are also describing the construction of three-leaf walls, which is NOT a good idea. It isn't intuitive at all, but a three-leaf wall (such as you describe) will actually isolate WORSE than a two-leaf wall of the same mass and overall dimensions. You also mention that your current rehearsal space has a FOUR LEAF wall :shock: which is worse still than a 3 leaf! No wonder you have troubles with isolation! I'm betting that the base beat come thumping through those walls just fine right now...
That wall is fine by itself. It just needs sealing, to ensure that that the surface is airtight. Paint, plaster, stucco, etc. Any of those will do. Both brick and concrete block are porous, and need to be sealed. You do not need to "board" those walls: doing so would probably be counter productive. They are fine as they are, provided that they are sealed and that you build the inner leaf correctly.the perimeter wall of the studio is made from bricks/blocks 100mm thick. In a rectangular shape. So, i could only realistically board the inside wall and then build from there on the inside.
Bad idea! That is three-leaf right there, and depending on how you place that first layer, you meight even have four leaves there. Far better would be: perimeter wall (sealed) - 6 inch air gap filled with mineral wool or fiberglass insulation - 2x6 stud frame, 24" OC, with three layers of 5/8 drywall nailed to only ONE side o the studs, each layer staggered from the other two, and carefully caulked and sealed. That system uses the exact same amount of materials, and is the same total overall thickness, but will give you much better isolation, especially in the low frequencies. Of course, you do have to be consistent, and use the exact same construction technique around all of the walls and also the ceiling. You also do NOT need to waste money on Soundblock: Plain old drywall is the same mass and density, and works perfectly. Sound waves do not care how much you paid for the mass that stops them: they only see mass. The cost of the mass is irrelevant, and three layers of 5/8" (16mm) drywall is plenty of mass, especially when it is over a 9 3/4 inch air gap!IDEA 1 perimeter wall (blocks)/soundbloc plasterboardx1/air space/soundbloc plasterboardx1/Studwork(with insulation)/soundbloc plasterboardsx2
Well you can stop "trying" now, ´cause you found them! This is one of only a very few places on the internet where you can get sound, solid, scientific advice on how to build your place right, without anyone trying to sell you anything! No hype, no myths, no advertising, no promotions. Just free advice from some of the best experts in the industry. You didn't mention what your floor is made of, or your roof: major big important points! Please let us know about that. Also, please post a rough plan of the space you ave in mind, with accurate dimensions, so we can guide you through the process of correctly designing and building your control room. Photos of the space as it is right now we also be VERY useful. - Stuart -try as i may, i cannot find the answers i am looking for.