One sill or two?

First, I would like to thank you all for this ridiculously useful and inspirational resource. I have dug around a bit, and I have been encouraged in my efforts. My question- one sill plate or two for the standard cheap sound attenuating partition? I saw posted somewhere a "2x6 on the floor, staggered 2x4 studs", but it seems likely that the 2x6 would be a transmitter from leaf to leaf, no? So, techincally, am I building 2 walls with an airspace between? Does it matter if the R-19 or what have you is in contact with both leaves? Lastly, I may be builidng this room in a "rock co-operative"; some kind-hearted folks have purchased an old factory building, and are dividing it in to jam rooms by bay. We'd be getting in pretty early- any advice on proceeding in this sort of environment? I'd like to record occasionally, and could do without the neighboring Slipknot cover band lurkin on the back of my tracks. Thanks-[/b]

Archie ??!? First, welcome to the board; second, there is no such thing as a cheap soundproof enclosure, especially when you want enough isolation for a clean recording. Third, can you give more info on What you call cheap What your space size will be What floor it's on, and how that floor is built What your DIY capabilities are - tools, abilities What your time frame is (or you would LIKE it to be) And, if you've not already found it, the REFERENCE section listed at the top of the forum, along with http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=25206 As a general rule, from bad to good performance so called "normal" wall construction would be, single frame with wallboard both sides, single frame with wallboard both sides + Resilient channel one side on the frame, lightweight steel studs single frame, wallboard both sides, NO RC (about the same as wood WITH RC), Staggered studs with wider base plates, separate double frames with wallboard layers ONLY on ONE side of EACH frame. In all cases, more mass in each leaf of the wall is better; wider air gap is better; 2.5 to 3 PCF insulation is best, but not a lot better (inside a wall) than plain old fluffy fiberglass, optimum in either case is light contact with wallboard for some damping of the panels. Total hermetic seals using acoustic rated caulk is necessary or don't bother building. Anything you can't BLOW through is MASS, and you only want TWO centers of mass between any two spaces for isolation. Not more, not less; exactly TWO. Most of this, plus lots more, to be found in the above links... Steve

Thanks, you have confirmed my suspiscions. Other factors include: >>What you call cheap << - i.e. how much material can I cleverly scrounge on garbage night, what does Lowe's have in its dumpsters etc. - invention will be key in our scenario, and we should save our funds for the elements that really count and can't be rigged >>What your space size will be; What floor it's on, and how that floor is built << - approx. 17' x 17' x 12' high. - concrete floor (in basement), cover with old carpet? - 1 concrete foundation wall, with small window (for A/C unit/s- is it better to install window units per normal, or "duct" them somehow?). - deep joist industrial wood floor above (12') through which I could hear much on my inspection visit. - need to build remaining three walls and door ourselves. >>What your DIY capabilities are - tools, abilities << - we have the tools, desire and ability to most basic framing etc, less worried about this. >>What your time frame is (or you would LIKE it to be) << - my wife and I just had a son, so my timeline is long at the moment, I should be able to get it right. don't want to screw around for ever however, I'm geting a bit rusty I fear...

archiopterix wrote:

>>What you call cheap << - i.e. how much material can I cleverly scrounge on garbage night, what does Lowe's have in its dumpsters etc. - invention will be key in our scenario, and we should save our funds for the elements that really count and can't be rigged

Greetings and welcome, Archio! It seems you're at at #6 on Stages of Soundproofing Enlightenment. ;)

Sadly, though my inner sound Buddha may be closer to nirvana, my budget remains at Stage 6 (maybe not even- Stage 6 implies I can afford to eat eggs). Seriously though, I built a pretty successful (if not scientifically validated) music room in the basement of my last squat, using construction waste (which I had access to as an architect) and those broken, "half +" pieces of drywall they sell for nothing at the Depot occasionally. Had to pay for the insulation, but everything else was scrounged. I'm not really as punk rock as this might sound, just frugal (and frequently broke). I need to build 'smarter', if not 'better'.