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When we start to design a soundproof home recording studio there is always a deep fear in the back of our minds. What if I spend all this money and then it is not soundproof enough? In this article I will talk about the 5 biggest soundproofing mistakes you can make and how to avoid them.
5) Use The Wrong Glass In Your Windows
It is so tempting to buy a pre-hung window from a window supplier when building your studio. It is cheaper and easier than building your own windows or buying expensive soundproof windows. However, this is a corner you don't want to cut!
I have heard of many people buying casement windows, double glazed windows, tripple glazed windows and all sort of designs to try and save money thinking it will be good enough. The problem is that most windows use float glass and float glass is not a good sound insulator.
For soundproof windows we want to use tempered glass and/or laminate glass and we need a large airgap of at least 4" and two differing, but thick pieces of glass. Below is a simplified diagram of the windows in my recording studio.
4) Only Putting In One Door
In my studio I used a design by the studio designer, Rod Gervais. He recommends that you can build a single soundproof door rather than having two communicating doors. Having built the single door I do not agree with him. I now believe that all soundproof doors, especially to the outside must be double communicating doors. See the diagram below.
By using two doors we can maintain the mass, air gap and decoupling needed to properly maintain the STC rating of our wall where the door is placed.
3) Think You Must Use MLV or Green Glue
There is so much talk on the internet arguing over should you use mass loaded vinyl, Green Glue or even carpet glue between you two layers of 5/8" drywall. I have taken the stance that MLV and Green Glue are nice to have and may increase the isolation of your wall, but they are not critical to the isolation of your wall. This is important to understand, because many people come to me and think they must use Green Glue. My response is always, well what is your budget. If they cannot afford Green Glue then I recommend not using it and simply doing two layers of 5/8" drywall on each side of their walls or even 3-4 layers if that is cheaper.
MLV and Green Glue provide damping. Damping is a form of friction that turns sound into heat. This added physical phenomenon in your walls is a good thing, but as I said before a double wall without Green Glue or MLV will still give you an STC of 63, which is plenty good for a home recording studio.
2) Don't Know Your Budget Before You Build
We all think we know a person who has a great deal on materials. Everyone has a brother-in-law who is really handy with construction and everyone underestimates how much their soundproof studio will cost. Before you begin building it is extremely wise to open a spreadsheet and input all the materials and labor costs for your studio to see if you can afford to build one...read the rest on my blog - [ Ссылка ]
0:00 - Intro
1:13 - Mistake 5 - Using Wrong Glass In Windows
3:45 - Mistake 4 - Using only one single heavy door
5:02 - Mistake 3 - Thinking you have to use MLV or Green Glue
6:35 - Mistake 2 - Not knowing budget before construction
9:13 - Mistake 1 - Do Not Install A Ventilation System
