Building a Contol room/Vocal booth in a retail store front..

The storefront measures 18x20 feet, ground level. An 8 foot hallway is needed front door to back door. And the ceiling can only go 8 feet high to comply with building codes. That leaves 12x18... I got some ideas after combing this fantastic forum... In the land of a million studios, there has to be a good reason why this has not been done rampantly throughout Hollyhood's stripmalls...

Hello again- Turns out the next door business will be testin car audio system installations all day long, so I need the beef of all beefy walls. Ive read every post, followed every thread, (feels like I know you guys) but now I wanna know the BEST wall, one that can withstand an atomic blast (or four 12s). In other words, I know the theory... but I wanna know if someone has actually made a soundproof wall. You all talk about "not disturbing the neighbors", but I want the neigbors to not even EXIST inside this space. D

Ive read every post, followed every thread, (feels like I know you guys) but now I wanna know the BEST wall, one that can withstand an atomic blast (or four 12s).

I don't quite understand the sentence. If you have read every thread then then you are aware of the NRC IR-761 report which shows the results of testing 350 dywall based constructions. You also know that the low end is the biggest problem with approaching total isolalion and that the most effective way for that is mass, which easiest to achieve with concrete. NRC BRN-217 details test results on various concrete block walls and surface treatments. Andre

In the land of a million studios, there has to be a good reason why this has not been done rampantly throughout Hollyhood's stripmalls...

There are a few reasons. First, sound isolation, as stripmall partition walls/ceilings are a joke. Therefore, the only way to do it is to build a massive outer shell/enclosure, as the existing shell does nothing. Not a good way to spend money in a rented environment, even if the owners approved it. Massive walls, require massive footings. That means tearing up the existing floor, as a 4" slab does NOT constitute a structural foundation. Then you have the inner shell, which is light weight, yet with an airgap, still uses precious square footage AND it's own footings, as you are supporting a COMPLETE FLOATED ROOM. That is only the BEGINNING. Consider the time and econimic frames for.....design, permit submittal, approval/reject/ redesign/construction contract procurement/and actual construction. In LA, could last as long as a year. That whole time is part of your lease period. :shock: Should you hire an architect/licensed designer, it could be as short as three months. Still, your paying while waiting. Should I go on? fitZ :)