Building a soundproof recording studio
Soundproofing a studio can actually be a fun task once you know how to approach this project.
The first order of business is to find a space that will be dedicated to the studio project. Oft times home studios are constructed in a basement of the home, however this is not always the case, especially in places like California, where there are no basements.
Once you have picked out just the right area for your studio, the next step is to take measurements of the space and to begin gathering your building materials. If you are planning on framing the walls with 2' X 4' studs, then it is always a good idea to stagger the studs. In other words to have one set of studs that stick out further than the adjoining stud. Basically this would make it so the the drywall would attach to every other stud and thus the walls would have less contact points with the structure that would reduce the sound transmitted through the walls.
Now a full tilt studio would consist of 6" staggered studs and the wall cavities would be filled with a rock wool material or the bonded acoustical cotton batts. The next step would be to apply a layer of 1# mass loaded vinyl directly to the face of the studs. The MLV is a lead substitute that contains no lead whatsoever. The MLV would be stapled or nailed to the studs, provided the studs are wood. If you're utilizing steel studs, then you would need to use self tapping sheet metal screws.
Tha MLV would act as a soundproof barrier that would act as a membrane across the face of the studs. You would over lap all of the seams of the MLV where ever possible and then caulk the over lap as well as around the perimeter of the membrane.
Once the MLV is applied to the studs and sealed, we come to a crossroad. You have a choice here. Your first option would be to use sound clips and furring channels in order to float the walls of the studio. The Sound clips and furring channels is a very effective method of floating the walls so that they are resilient and also so they are conpletely independent from the ceiling, the floor and the adjoining walls.
It would take me a longer time than I have here to campletely explain the Sound clips system, but suffice it to say, that floating the walls and the ceiling in your studio is the most effective method from stopping sound from going in or out of your studio.
The last step in building your studio walls is to add the drywall to eather the studs or to the furring channels if you are floating your walls. I always recommend 5/8:" drywall from US Gypsum or other reputable drywall manufacturer. You can also use quiet rock in this application, but that will add dramatically to the cost of your studio. I generally recommend adding 2 layers of 5/8" drywall to your studio walls using a product called Green Glue the would be sandwiched between the 2 layer of drywall to give the drywall extra damping capabilities.
This article covers the basicas of building and soundproofing the walls in your studio. The same methods work for the ceiling as well. In other articles we will be talking about floating the floor in your studio, but until then, thanks for reading about how to build a soundproof recording studio. As Always, Dr. Bob O.
The first order of business is to find a space that will be dedicated to the studio project. Oft times home studios are constructed in a basement of the home, however this is not always the case, especially in places like California, where there are no basements.
Once you have picked out just the right area for your studio, the next step is to take measurements of the space and to begin gathering your building materials. If you are planning on framing the walls with 2' X 4' studs, then it is always a good idea to stagger the studs. In other words to have one set of studs that stick out further than the adjoining stud. Basically this would make it so the the drywall would attach to every other stud and thus the walls would have less contact points with the structure that would reduce the sound transmitted through the walls.
Now a full tilt studio would consist of 6" staggered studs and the wall cavities would be filled with a rock wool material or the bonded acoustical cotton batts. The next step would be to apply a layer of 1# mass loaded vinyl directly to the face of the studs. The MLV is a lead substitute that contains no lead whatsoever. The MLV would be stapled or nailed to the studs, provided the studs are wood. If you're utilizing steel studs, then you would need to use self tapping sheet metal screws.
Tha MLV would act as a soundproof barrier that would act as a membrane across the face of the studs. You would over lap all of the seams of the MLV where ever possible and then caulk the over lap as well as around the perimeter of the membrane.
Once the MLV is applied to the studs and sealed, we come to a crossroad. You have a choice here. Your first option would be to use sound clips and furring channels in order to float the walls of the studio. The Sound clips and furring channels is a very effective method of floating the walls so that they are resilient and also so they are conpletely independent from the ceiling, the floor and the adjoining walls.
It would take me a longer time than I have here to campletely explain the Sound clips system, but suffice it to say, that floating the walls and the ceiling in your studio is the most effective method from stopping sound from going in or out of your studio.
The last step in building your studio walls is to add the drywall to eather the studs or to the furring channels if you are floating your walls. I always recommend 5/8:" drywall from US Gypsum or other reputable drywall manufacturer. You can also use quiet rock in this application, but that will add dramatically to the cost of your studio. I generally recommend adding 2 layers of 5/8" drywall to your studio walls using a product called Green Glue the would be sandwiched between the 2 layer of drywall to give the drywall extra damping capabilities.
This article covers the basicas of building and soundproofing the walls in your studio. The same methods work for the ceiling as well. In other articles we will be talking about floating the floor in your studio, but until then, thanks for reading about how to build a soundproof recording studio. As Always, Dr. Bob O.