I don't like the sound I get from using headphones and I try to not annoy my wife too much playing through my amps, so I would like to take a small room I have in my basement and set it up to use for practice. What materials would be best and economical to use to line the ceiling and walls to contain sound, how effective is this. Are there any publications that would provide guidance? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Dennis

I don't like the sound I get from using headphones and I try to not annoy my wife too much playing through my amps, so I would like to take a small room I have in my basement and set it up to use for practice. What materials would be best and economical to use to line the ceiling and walls to contain sound, how effective is this. Are there any publications that would provide guidance? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Check out www.acoustics101.com for some good acoustic and construction basics.

You will need to do more than just put some foam on the ceiling to stop the sound from traveling through it.

What kind of ceiling does the basement have currently? I've had good results with a layer of sheetblok sandwiched between 5/8" and 1/2" drywall/gypsum board. Mineral Fiber insulation can also help the above setup if you have ceiling joist that are exposed. You can put it in before the drywall.

Dan

It won't be worth it unless you do a lot of recording.

Get better headphones. If you're using a PC look into better plug-ins. Convolution can add room ambiance.

Or if you have an amp, and just can't part with it do something like: http://www.randallamplifiers.com/products/cabinets/isolation/index.asp
Then listen on headphones.

If you really want to move ahead and soundproof anyhow. Basically you need to build yourself an isolation box like the Randall, but big enough for you and your gear to sit in. Isolating the rooms inner walls from the existing walls is the key.

Take a read through this... http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/channel.htm ...some nice visuals as well. Soundproofing is all about creating mass and dead air in between. If you do it right, it's very effective. How big is the space you're considering? That might limit what's possible.

The drummer I play with built a room in his basement using essentially the same techniques as on that page. If we're playing full blast (which I'm guessing must be in the 140dB range in the room, which is 11' x 21'), if you're upstairs, it pretty much sounds like someone has a stereo on at a reasonable (in no way loud) volume.
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c

I used johns mansville insulation bats between the studs, ceiling got 5/8" drywall, green glue, 1/2" drywall. Walls got 5/8" drywall, green glue, 5/8" drywall and all sealed up with acoustic caulk. Always good to keep the wife happy. :smug:

Thanks for all the help and those who took the time to reply; I appreciate it. Got to keep the wife appeased.
Dennis