Blank Canvas Music Room - Advice Needed

[Rayne]

Hi All,

I have been lurking for a while admiring all of your studios.
I recently found a building for sale which I intend on converting into an office/music room.

Although this room is not going to be used specifically as a studio, I would like it to have reasonable sound proofing.

The structure was previously home to electrical switchboards. This equipment along with the asbestos walls has been professionally removed by the previous owner leaving a blank canvas.

The structure is 5.7 x 3.2 x 2.7m internally. The roof is colourbond, the floor is ¾“ hardwood, walls are 75mm studs.

As I live in the tropics I would like to seal/clad the structure to prevent it being exposed to the elements as early as possible, the internal lining can then be worked out.

At one end I plan on having a wall to wall desk and the other a drumkit in the corner next to the door (Which will not be full height).

I have been quoted colourbond external cladding and 4.7m Hardiflex for eaves and internal walls/ceiling by my carpenter. ($3,300)

After trawling this forum I have a hunch that this combination will do 3/4th of bugger all sound wise...

Unfortunately I do not as of yet have db measurements of my required sound isolation. Suffice to say extreme isolation is not the goal.

I cannot afford double walls, floor space or money wise. I believe this leaves me with a double leaf MSM, and that the mass of the 2 leaves is the key to isolation?

Questions:
- Can you mass load the colourbond, for example with heavy acoustic vinyl sheeting?
- Does the air gap between the material & colourbond corrugation create a third leaf?

- What type and density of insulation is best for this type of wall cavity?

- Is 16mm gyprock the only way to go?

- It is thought that the grain of the floorboard will be below average, I was considering a clip-lock engineered timber floor. Do these pose any issues?

Thanks in advance

[stevev]

hi there Rayne and welcome. you're missing a bit of info, which is budget.

Unfortunately I do not as of yet have db measurements of my required sound isolation.

no one will be able to give you pointers on how to go about your construction if you don't know how much isolation you need. Get some db measurements with an accurate meter and we can go from there.

As I live in the tropics I would like to seal/clad the structure to prevent it being exposed to the elements as early as possible, the internal lining can then be worked out.

whilst I understand your need to get sealed up, you need to understand that building a studio is '90% planning and 10% building' as Andre says. Don't go hammering in any nails before you know exactly what else will be going on with the build, otherwise you run the risk of having to re-do parts which is pretty painful.

After trawling this forum I have a hunch that this combination will do 3/4th of bugger all sound wise...

correct

I believe this leaves me with a double leaf MSM, and that the mass of the 2 leaves is the key to isolation?

also correct. (along with a few other details like airtight sealing, correct material densitys, and a LOT of attention to detail in construction)

- Can you mass load the colourbond, for example with heavy acoustic vinyl sheeting?
- Does the air gap between the material & colourbond corrugation create a third leaf?

I don't believe you can mass load the colourbond with vinyl unless you can actually follow the contour of the colourbond itslef and adhere the vinyl to the colurbond (very difficult if not impossible).

..and yes, you would be creating a cavity between the colourbond and the vinyl, therefore another leaf.

What type and density of insulation is best for this type of wall cavity?

approx 30 kg per cubic meter for fibreglass (bradford soundscreen 24 kg/cube, Fletcher FI 32 - 32kg cube)

Rockwool approx 50kg/cube.

Is 16mm gyprock the only way to go?

in most cases yes, but it depends on how much isolation you need.....therefore you need a db reading.

It is thought that the grain of the floorboard will be below average, I was considering a clip-lock engineered timber floor. Do these pose any issues?

I don't understand what you mean by 'grain' but i've used a clip lock floor in my studio over a concrete slab and it's been excellent.

all the best,

steve

[Rayne]

Well I think it's time for an update. Even if it's just so I can keep a record of my progress.

Thanks for your help Steve, great information and beautiful studio!

Budget is somewhat flexible, it's started around $8k.

Unfortunately I am still trying to obtain an accurate db meter

After long delays I ended up getting an external carpenter in after my "carpenter mate" flaked out on me...


So I finally have something that resembles progress:

I ended up using BGC Duragroove for the external walls, it was the thickest fibro sheeting I could find (9mm). Let's just say installation wasn't 'fun'.

Once the rain clears the external walls will be finished, new facia and door fitted.

In the meantime I shall keep trawling the forums and start on Rod Gervais' book which just arrived in the mail.