Interior walls - wooden frame or concrete blocks?

[TZounds]

Hi All,

My first of many questions I'm afraid.....

I'm building my first (and probably only) recording studio from scratch. I've been doing some research on just about everything including wall soundproofing but can't seem to find a (more or less) definitive answer. Most articles I read about constructing/soundproofing interior walls seem to focus on the use of wooden frames with decoupled studs, insulation, air pocket and double drywall sheets on both sides.

My question is this; when constructing interior walls and the structure is permanent (so no garage refit or difficult landlords to consider) what choice of material would be preferred and why? Do I use 2 layers of high density concrete block walls (with air gap + rockwool insulation) - so more or less like the outside walls - or would I go for the staggered studs, insulated, air gap, double layered drywall approach?

Looking forward to receiving your thoughts!

[Gregwor]

TZounds, we welcome you to the forum, but please go here: http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =17&t=7572 and read the rules. That means completely filling out your profile. We also appreciate at least knowing your name. So ending your posts with your name would be great. Thank you!

I'm building my first (and probably only) recording studio from scratch.

Before you build anything, it's very important that you DESIGN it 100% first. Have a 3D model done in SketchUp Make. Have 2D architectural drawings. With these two items on hand, you will easily be able to obtain building permits and if you want to, you'll probably easily get a business license to operate your studio on a commercial level as well!

A "To Do" list with model numbers, quantities, where to buy the stuff, and the price is great to have as well. That way you know what you're getting yourself in to financially. It also forces you to dig into product details such as how big your automatic door bottoms are so you will know how big of slot you need to have in the bottom of your doors!

I've been doing some research on just about everything including wall soundproofing but can't seem to find a (more or less) definitive answer. Most articles I read about constructing/soundproofing interior walls seem to focus on the use of wooden frames with decoupled studs, insulation, air pocket and double drywall sheets on both sides.

Spent a few hundred more hours reading the heck out of threads here on the forum and you'll be sure to know the answer. First off, it's rare to see the term "soundproofing" around here. That's because it is kind of a fairy tale term. Here are are terms we use and some rough definitions of them so that you aren't confused when you read them:

Adiabatic to Isothermal = the energy conversion insulation performs with sound energy.

Acoustic Interference = Sound waves colliding and combining in the air.

Cleats = These are little pieces of wood used to hold on the beef up material.

Constructive interference = 2 waves in phase making twice the amplitude.

Cross Sectional Area = Area of a circle = π r2 , where Radius = half of the diameter. Area of a rectangle = width x height

Deconstructive interference = 2 waves exactly out of phase adding up to zero.

Gas Flow Resistivity = The property of insulation that determines how insulation will affect sound. This is also called “acoustic impedance”

HRTF = Head Related Transfer Function

Insertion Loss (IL) = decrease in dB due to silencer or sound attenuating device.

ITDG = Initial time delay gap. This is the time difference between arrival of the direct wave and the first strong reflection at the listener.

Laminar = Means without turbulence = straight flow

Noise Reduction (NR) = Difference in dB between 2 points along path of sound propagation. The arithmetic difference between the sound pressure levels in adjacent spaces.

Speaker Boundary Interference Response = SBIR is a comb filter

Specular = Mirror type reflection.

Transmission Loss (TL) = Difference in dB due to obstruction. Ex: Wall.

Waveguide = horn/tweeter cone. This provides an impedance match to the air in the room.

Reverberation Time = RT
RT60 = describing decay times. How long it takes for the initial sound to decay 60 dB.

My question is this; when constructing interior walls and the structure is permanent (so no garage refit or difficult landlords to consider) what choice of material would be preferred and why? Do I use 2 layers of high density concrete block walls (with air gap + rockwool insulation) - so more or less like the outside walls - or would I go for the staggered studs, insulated, air gap, double layered drywall approach?

Once you read the forum rules, you'll see that it is very important to determine how much isolation you NEED. From there, you can either manually calculate the isolation you'll achieve using different combinations of leaf sheathing and gap distance, or you can use a calculator that is stickied near the top of the design forum.

I also need to point out that you should only ever post questions on this thread that you've created as it pertains directly to your design and build. Please don't post questions in new threads as it clutters up the forum and makes it impossible for people to follow your project.

I look forward to seeing where you design goes from here. Again, welcome!

Greg

[TZounds]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for your feedback and apologies for my enthusiasm. Bit of an eager beaver I'm afraid. I've updated my profile as you suggested, thanks for the guidance. A bit more background seems appropriate here so......

I'm happy to share with you that the only thing built so far is an existing concrete slab which needs to be extended so I'm literally starting from scratch. I have actually made a 3D design (still shifting things around) and now in the phase of exploring how/where to start and I must admit that the information available on the numerous platforms is overwhelming.

It's also good to know is that I'm located in Dar es Salaam Tanzania so availability of just about anything can be quite challenging. On the positive side though, Labour and your standard building materials are available and relatively cheap.

I'm assisting a non-profit organisation (read no money for a professional designer) that specialises in developing and implementing CSR projects and part of that is creating social messaging campaigns. Radio drama is still a popular medium here hence the need for a studio. They have decided to built their own studio because there is no decent alternatives around.

In support of their (self financed) youth and woman empowerment projects have they decided to go for a larger set up then required by them allowing local talent to use the space as well.

Any way, I will be doing some more homework and post my preliminary designs shortly hoping to get further guidance from this forum.

Erwin

[Gregwor]

I'm happy to share with you that the only thing built so far is an existing concrete slab which needs to be extended so I'm literally starting from scratch. I have actually made a 3D design (still shifting things around) and now in the phase of exploring how/where to start and I must admit that the information available on the numerous platforms is overwhelming.

Can you post some pictures and we'll see if you're on the right track?

I'm assisting a non-profit organisation (read no money for a professional designer) that specialises in developing and implementing CSR projects and part of that is creating social messaging campaigns. Radio drama is still a popular medium here hence the need for a studio. They have decided to built their own studio because there is no decent alternatives around.

In support of their (self financed) youth and woman empowerment projects have they decided to go for a larger set up then required by them allowing local talent to use the space as well.

Awesome!

Any way, I will be doing some more homework and post my preliminary designs shortly hoping to get further guidance from this forum.

Sounds wonderful Erwin! I look forward to it!

Greg

[mola1000]

Much obliged for your input and statements of regret for my eagerness. Bit of an energetic beaver I'm apprehensive. I've refreshed my profile as you proposed, much obliged for the direction. More foundation appears to be suitable here so......

I'm upbeat to impart to you that the main thing fabricated so far is a current solid chunk which should be expanded so I'm actually beginning starting with no outside help. I have really made a 3D configuration (as yet moving things around) and now in the period of investigating how/where to begin and I should concede that the data accessible on the various stages is overpowering.

It's likewise great to know is that I'm situated in Dar es Salaam Tanzania so accessibility of pretty much anything can be very testing. On the positive side however, Labor and your standard structure materials are accessible and moderately shabby.

I'm helping a non-benefit association (read no cash for an expert architect) that has some expertise in creating and actualizing CSR undertakings and part of that is making social informing efforts. Radio dramatization is as yet a mainstream medium here henceforth the requirement for a studio. They have chosen to fabricated their very own studio on the grounds that there is no better than average options around.

In help of their (self financed) youth and lady strengthening ventures have they chosen to go for a bigger set up then required by them enabling nearby ability to utilize the space also.

Any way, I will do some more homework and post my fundamental structures in the blink of an eye planning to get further direction from this discussion.

[Soundman2020]

Much obliged for your input and statements of regret for my eagerness. Bit of an energetic beaver I'm apprehensive. ...

MOLA1000; THIS IS NOT YOUR THREAD! Please do not hijack other people's threads. Start your own thread.

Also, READ THE forum rules for posting (click here). You seem to be missing several things...

This is the second time you are doing this today. There will not be a third time....

You are behaving exactly the way spammers do, rephrasing the posts of others, pretending that it is your own... My finger is on the trigger, and it's very itchy....

- Stuart -

[mola1000]

Much obliged for your input and statements of regret for my eagerness. Bit of an energetic beaver I'm apprehensive. ...

MOLA1000; THIS IS NOT YOUR THREAD! Please do not hijack other people's threads. Start your own thread.

Also, READ THE forum rules for posting (click here). You seem to be missing several things...

This is the second time you are doing this today. There will not be a third time....

You are behaving exactly the way spammers do, rephrasing the posts of others, pretending that it is your own... My finger is on the trigger, and it's very itchy....

- Stuart -

In help of their (self financed) youth and lady strengthening ventures have they chosen to go for a bigger set up then required by them enabling nearby ability to utilize the space also.

Any way, I will do some more homework and post my fundamental structures in the blink of an eye planning to get further direction from this discussion.[SPAM LINK REMOVED - SPAMMER BANNED AND BLOCKED]

[Soundman2020]

Much obliged for your input and statements of regret for my eagerness. Bit of an energetic beaver I'm apprehensive. ...

MOLA1000; ... There will not be a third time.... My finger is on the trigger, and it's very itchy....

In help of their (self financed) ....

Yosemite.gif

BLAM! Oops! It looks like you made my finger a bit too itchy...

Bye!


- Stuart -

[Tanker_5455]

... but to come back to the main topic, there's something that shouldn't be overlooked: sound insulation is good and all, but if this is being built in Tanzania, don't forget a key element... AIR CONDITIONING!!!

I've worked in neighboring Uganda for 9 months and cannot stress enough that musicians/singers will be in, let's say it like that, "suboptimal condition" if they are to perform in a place that's ridiculously hot, especially if they have lights pointed at them, and even more if they're playing demanding instruments like drums. And it's easy to make an enclosed, insulated place ridiculously hot under that climate

[Soundman2020]

don't forget a key element... AIR CONDITIONING!!!

Excellent point! The importance of HVAC in recording studios is greatly underestimated by most first-time home-studio builders. It's a major part of studio design and construction: Leaving out HVAC, or providing insufficient fresh air / circulation / cooling is one sure way to doom your studio before the first session ever happens. HVAC is not a luxury in a studio: it is just as necessary as the speakers.


- Stuart -

[Tanker_5455]

Yes, I've been in studios with unsufficiently efficient HVAC systems in Europe and suffered, so I can't even begin to imagine how it'd be in Tanzania... Hell, I once literally had issues because I was sweating so much that my hands were slipping off the strings of my bass guitar, with predictable effects on the quality of its sound!