Building Instructions for Soundproofing a Music Recording Room
Whether you are a professional sound engineer or a do-it-yourself enthusiast working on a music project, you can create a functional, attractive and soundproofed recording environment at a budget that suits you. The core aim of building such a room is that you develop a space you feel comfortable in and that works effectively as a recording studio, with efficient, sound-insulated walls that are solid, smooth and tailored to your project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Plywood
- Drill
- Wood screws
- Rawlplugs
- Strong wood
- Mask
- Cementitious or phenolic injection foam
- Aerosol spray
- Plastering tool
- Nails
- Hammer
- Fiberboard
- Saw
- Sander
- Fine sandpaper
- Silicone-based caulk
- Caulk gun
Instructions
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Measure the internal walls in your music room using a tape measure. Record each measurement on a plan of the room. Prepare the surfaces by removing any existing materials such as wallpaper, paint and plaster. Attach plywood to the surfaces using a drill, wood screws and plastic, in-wall rawlplugs. Plywood has a high strength to weight ratio. Install, using strong wood ,an interior sheath to create a scaffold for the foam, wood screws and a drill.
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Wear a mask. Create a 3.5-inch layer of non-hazardous, non-echoing cementitious or phenolic injection foam using supplied foam, an aerosol spray and a plastering tool to smooth the edges. According to firewall manufacturer Roxul, 3.5-inches is enough to meet the regulations for a two-hour firewall, which gives the whole studio structural integrity and also meets safety requirements. Phenolic injection foam is also known for its air tight quality, so it makes an effective sound insulator.
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Nail large, flat pieces of machine-cut fiberboard over the dried foam, using a hammer. Form the surfaces of the new walls. The size piece your use depends on your individual studio. Follow the measurements you made of each wall, leaving small gaps for the edges and, particularly, the corners, so there is minimum overlap. Make adjustments to loose fiberboard. Use a saw.
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Smooth the surfaces with a sander and fine sanding paper. Caulk the edges of the new walls with mold-resistant caulk and a caulk gun. Decorate using your chosen wallpaper or paint. Integrate your cables, lighting and fittings. Add an insulating strip of sealant to any gaps in the doorframe, without compromising its basic function as a door.
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Tips & Warnings
For extra sound insulation and continuity of the overall design, repeat the process on the floor. Ensure you install underfloor heating and plasterboard with insulation properties to produce the most comfortable environment possible.
To save money, replace the expensive foam layer with a traditional wood fiber insulation, but be prepared to sacrifice the foam's additional properties: non-expansive nature; flame resistance; chemically inert behavior; environmentally friendly design; mold and insect resistance and zero VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, which represents a problem even in rural households. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, common organic pollutants were found to be between 2 and 5 times higher inside residential homes than outside (See Reference 3).
Do not attempt to spray foam using an ordinary aerosol. Specialist tools and professional assistance are recommended for health and safety reasons. Wear a mask to safeguard your respiratory health.
Do not forget to incorporate into your design the basics like a fire alarm.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit blue wall image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
