Acoustics 101 - Chapter 5: More Construction Tips
Practical Guidelines For Constructing Accurate Acoustical Spaces
More Construction Tips
- When adding layers of building materials or SheetBlok to adjacent walls, put a layer on one wall, then the other, then one wall, then the other instead of putting all one wall‘s layers on at once then moving to the other wall. As shown in Figure 5.1, this gives sound waves a tougher path to snake through at the corners. Be sure to caulk (with StopGap) or mud all joints before adding the next layer.
- People often ask about using plywood in the construction of their studio. Plywood is not as wise a choice as gypsum board or MDF because the latter are considerably denser and in many cases cheaper.
- One easy way to achieve better sound isolation from neighboring spaces is to enlist the help of the people who are likely to be in those spaces when you're recording. To help alert them that you're laying down tracks, why not install a remote ON AIR light or some other warning system outside your studio so they can easily know when to keep their activity and/or noise level down? All it takes is a light switch in your studio, some cable and a fixture. For a few bucks you can probably gain quite a bit of extra quiet.
- Never smoke in your control room because it is bad for you and your equipment, to say nothing of the way it lowers your gear's resale value.
- Vacuum frequently, being careful to avoid static electricity.
- Cover your mixer with a clean towel when not in use.
- If you use a computer, turn it on after your power amps, etc., and turn it off before your power amps, etc. and make sure you turn your monitor (and peripherals) off first and on last.
- World's best and cheapest computer monitor anti–static cleaning wipes: Used fabric softener dryer sheets.
- Cheap “talkback” control room–to–studio communication tool: Wireless intercoms (available at Radio Shack) or a baby monitor.
- To keep your air as clean as outdoor air after a thunderstorm, check out an ionizer for your studio. People the world over have testified that not only do ionizers clean the air, they tend to make people feel better. They are great for allergies and getting rid of particulate matter in the air.
- Be sure to check out these two valuable links for more great tips and information:
Personalized Room Analysis Form
If after reading Acoustics 101 you are dazed and confused, feel free to fill out our Personalized Room Analysis Form (Adobe Acrobat PDF), available here or from your favorite dealer. E–mail or fax it back to us and our product application specialists will respond (generally within 2–3 business days) with their suggestions for your room.
If you would prefer a quick, online analysis, rectangular rooms up to about 20’x20’x10’ can be run through our Interactive Kit Calculator, which will respond with a basic analysis and some suggestions for Roominators Kits.
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