I got some advice from a member’s son about how we could get the podcast/sound room set up acoustically in a way we’d be happy. They suggested:
- Walls The ideal solution is to hang floor-to-ceiling heavy velvet curtains (like school auditorium curtains) in sections around the entire room. The sections should slide back and forth so you can adjust sound reflection as needed. We should look for schools getting rid of old curtains.
- Alternatively, we could make acoustic panels by wrapping R19 insulation with fabric, mounting it on MDF backing, and affixing the panels to the walls. We’d need to consult Josh to determine how many panels the space requires.
- Josh advised against egg-crate acoustic panels—he used them for a sound booth and was disappointed with the results. They absorb sound but don’t provide adequate soundproofing.
- Ceiling The room height is fine—no dropped ceiling needed.
- Control Room Ideally, build a double wall with an airspace between the layers. If that’s not possible, construct a single wall in this order: drywall, foam, stud, R19 insulation, foam, drywall.
- Doors Check for gaps under doors and seal them with weatherstripping, thresholds, or door draft stoppers.
- Other Considerations
- What’s inside the large grey box mounted on the wall? If it contains a fan, it will create ongoing sound issues.
- Install an 8-channel cable snake through the wall between the control room and studio, and soundproof the opening.
Josh is happy to answer any additional questions. Let us know your thoughts.