Acoustic Treatment Tips

Room Location

• When deciding which room to convert to a studio, be sure to pick spaces that are far away from the driveway and basement and opt for places that will receive the least amount of external noises and disturbances. This means less work for acoustic treatment. You may be tempted to use your garage because of its ample space, but some of its disadvantages include thin walls and lack of ventilation.

Room Shape

• Avoid square rooms due to parallel walls. Sound isolation may be another aspect of studio construction, but it is still an integral element for recording sessions. One way is to use mass to inhibit sound from entering or exiting the studio, such as brick walls that are filled with sand, or cement walls. Another way of isolating sound is through a "floating room." A floating room consists of an elevated floor that contains soundproofing mats as well as three layers of plasterboard that are located in the ceiling and on the walls. It is almost like creating a little room within a room.

Fiberglass Insulation

• Fiberglass insulation is an alternative to acoustic foam. Examples include 703 and 705 fiberglass, which can be installed on ceilings and walls. These materials work well in absorbing mid-range to high frequencies. When you are finished with your soundproofing, test it by listening to some recorded music inside and outside the studio to make a comparison. Determine whether the recording sounds flat.

Use Reflectors

• By adding reflectors, you reduce the sound reflection in your studio's control room. A reflector can come in the form of a curved plywood or a foam detector installed to the back wall. These tools help disperse the sound and prevent it from reverberating. To absorb low-frequency bass notes, set up bass traps (items you can hang on your walls that absorb low frequency acoustic energy) in your control room. Whenever installing new equipment, be sure to follow all product instructions. Some products must be stored in the job area for one to two days before installation for the materials to acclimate to the space.