Half basement studio South Australia

[DarrenM]

Hope you all are having an awesome day. I've been constructing a studio control room and iso booth under a house built on a steep hill. We've taken out over 200ton of earth and have a fantastic space with one side earth (of course we will construct a wall, I don't like staring at dirt while I'm mixing...) and the other a double leaf separating us and the garage.

The inner studio walls are 2 layers (13mm and 10mm) sound-stop gyprock attached to furring channel on resilient clips (rubberised). Acoustic insulation and an air gap between the two wall frames then outside is the same but no clips or channel, just the 2 layers.
I can't afford green glue so I'm just gonna do my best and hope. There's no drum recording here, just mix and creation so hopefully I have enough isolation.

Our plan is to fill the floor joist gaps with acoustic bats like the walls and attach furring channel to the rubberised clips and add the two layers of sound-stop just like the inner walls.
The builder is worried that the rubberised clips will not hold all that weight. The more clips we use, the more connections. What is the best way to tackle this ceiling? Are we on the right track?

I'm on an iPad at the moment and cannot post pictures but will as soon as I can. Sorry.
Looking forward to your reading your thoughts.

[Soundman2020]

Hi Darren, and Welcome!

... of course we will construct a wall, ... The inner studio walls are 2 layers (13mm and 10mm) sound-stop gyprock attached to furring channel on resilient clips (rubberised). Acoustic insulation and an air gap between the two wall frames then outside is the same but no clips or channel, just the 2 layers.

I guess I'm not understanding what you are describing, because that sounds like a three-leaf wall to me! That sounds to me like you are going to build a retaining wall to hold the earth back plus a divider wall to separate you from the garage, and together those will constitute your outer leaf, but then build two other walls beyond that to define the actual studio. That's three walls!

Maybe you should do a diagram or model this in SketchUp, so we can better understand what you have in mind...

Also, why are you mixing two different thicknesses of drywall (gyprock)? And why are they so thin?

I can't afford green glue so I'm just gonna do my best and hope.

You probably don't need it, unless you require high levels of isolation down to very low frequencies.

The builder is worried that the rubberised clips will not hold all that weight.

What do you mean by "rubberized clips"? Are you talking about Whisper Clips, RSIC clips, Iso-clips, or another proper acoustic isolating clip? Or are you talking about something else entirely that is just a clip with some rubber on it? If you really are using proper acoustic isolation clips, then the documentation that came with them (or that you can download form the manufacturers website) will tell you exactly what spacing and staggering you need to use for the clips, for both walls and ceilings, and how many you will need to support the amount of weight you are talking about.

If you are talking about some other type of clip that has rubber on it, then forget it: firstly, if it is not specifically designed and tested as an acoustic isolation clip, with supporting documentation and test reports, then it's a useless waste of money. Don't buy those. Only buy clips that have been designed and tested for use in acoustic applications..

If you do have real acoustic isolation clips, then you should ONLY use the layout and spacing recommended by the manufacturer, not anything else.

Yes, proper acoustic clips can support the weight of an acoustic ceiling, and some clips can support up to three layers of 16mm drywall, but only when you buy the correct product, use the correct screws to attach it, and follow the manufacturers other specifications for how to do it safely and securely.

Do not ever hang anything over your head unless you are absolutely certain that it is designed for the job and can safely support the weight, supported by the manufacturers own documentation.



- Stuart -

[DarrenM]

Added some pictures and the first draft from sketchup.

Hope this helps.

What WAS under the house.jpg

Dig Done.jpg

Slab done.jpg

Retaining walls.jpg

Storage cupboard slab.jpg

Basic faming done.jpg

North wall (and front of studio..west side) is 1m high retaining wall. The north wall will have a 10mm soundstop sheet resting on the top of the wall attached to the frame.
A second layer of 13mm soundstop will go onto the whole wall to finish it off. If I need more isolation I may hang some heavy sheet or add more insulation later...a sealed 'secret' door will gain access to the earth side of the north wall.

South wall connecting to the garage is (from the garage/outer side)..
Rendered blue board or compressed concrete board attached to 90mm pine frame filled with standard high 'R' rating bats,
30mm gap then another 90mm frame (inner wall) with Bradford Soundscreen acoustic insulation, Rondo iso clips, furring channel then a 13mm and 10mm sheets of soundstop gyprock.

IMG_5406.jpg

Bats.jpg

South wall channel.jpg

will post more when I can. Cheers

[Soundman2020]

South wall with clips and channel (Ready for the 2 layers of soundstop)

Whoaaa! No no no no!!! STOP!!! WRONG! Big time wrong

That's NOT how you use clips and channel! Who told you to do it like that? Did you check the manufacturer's instructions?

The channel runs ACROSS the studs, not UP the studs.

You need to fix that urgently. Not only will it not isolate at all like that, but it isn't safe either, and would never pass inspection.

Do not do anything else until you fix that.


- Stuart -

[DarrenM]

South wall with clips and channel (Ready for the 2 layers of soundstop)

The channel runs ACROSS the studs, not UP the studs.

You need to fix that urgently. Not only will it not isolate at all like that, but it isn't safe either, and would never pass inspection.

Do not do anything else until you fix that. -

Someone else had prepped the wall before the pic was taken. All clips and channels were removed and re-attached horizontally before any cladding was done. My gyprock 'flusher' was on vacation so we have been taking our time to make sure everything is researched beforehand.

More pics and updated sketchup coming very soon.

[DarrenM]

Thinking ahead to the 3 doors needed (two solid doors at the entrance at rear of control room and one for the isolation booth) and I wonder if you can help me with the booth door...?

I would love a big window in this door but wonder if my builder can make it for me by cutting out a cheaper solid door and inserting the glass panel/panels to suit?
If so, how thick? One or two panes? Gap?
Any help or links would be appreciated thanks in advance..