John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

I've read all of the FAQ's and directions. I sure hope I haven't missed something. Apologies if so.

I am an acoustic and electric guitar player. I have 2 very young children and my schedule dictates that I practice after they go to sleep. Where I live, basements are not common. Getting a permit and permission to build an external structure is impossible. I live in a typical suburban neighborhood.

I have 2 separate attic spaces, one is fairly cube shaped ~20 feet x 20 feet, and one is long with a triangular cross section ~35 feet x 15'. The cube shaped space is over my home office at the corner of the house and is mostly bare. The longer space is over the garage. Garage is at opposite corner of house to kids rooms and contains hot water heaters, hvac etc. but think it's manageable. .

I've seen a ton of builds in basements where sound isolation works very well with proper construction techniques. However, I have not found anything where an attic space has been used for a sound isolation space. My question is, can it be done with any decent success?

No need to worry about control rooms, drums, vocals, etc etc. Just need a room where I can turn up an amp without bothering anyone.

What information have I omitted? Thanks

Hi "bumblefingers", and welcome!

I've seen a ton of builds in basements where sound isolation works very well with proper construction techniques. However, I have not found anything where an attic space has been used for a sound isolation space.

There's a reason for that: it is hard to do, so not too many people try.

My question is, can it be done with any decent success?

It can be done, yes, and successfully, but the issue is usually cost. Isolating a second-floor room is much harder than isolating a ground floor room for several reasons, and most of them translate to "money". In your case it might be doable at reasonable cost...

No need to worry about control rooms, drums

That's why it might be doable for you: most people who come here asking that question, want to play drums at 3 AM with a sleeping baby three feet away, in the neighbors house. That's tough. Your case: not so much.

Just need a room where I can turn up an amp without bothering anyone.
What information have I omitted? Thanks

The number one most important numbers that we'd need in order to help you decide if this is doable, are: "How loud are you"? (in decibels). And "How quiet do you have to be?" (also in decibels). To answer those questions, you need a sound level meter. Set it to "C" weighting and "slow" response, and let us know the answers. Based on that, we can give you an idea of ho hard it might be to accomplish what you want to do.

I'm hopeful!


- Stuart -