Sound Proofing

[dpodblood]

Hey Guys,

This is only partially a home theater question, but figured it's something you could help out with. In the next 9 months or so I will be moving from an apartment into a house. I'm looking forward to setting up my home theater as well as my drum in the basement. Only problem is we will also be having a baby around that time!

As such I am looking for ways that we could sound proof our basement so as not to interrupt the child's sleep. I like to watch movies/listen to music at "reference" levels. And the drum kit... well it's a drum kit...

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Ted White]

Short answer:

Look at isolating the ceiling as well as the 4 walls

Stay away from stairwell walls when doing this

Double 5/8" drywall and damping compound.

After that, your main potential leaks are doors, ceiling can lights, ventilation and outlets. All can be dealt with

 

[sdifox]

Hey Guys,

This is only partially a home theater question, but figured it's something you could help out with. In the next 9 months or so I will be moving from an apartment into a house. I'm looking forward to setting up my home theater as well as my drum in the basement. Only problem is we will also be having a baby around that time!

As such I am looking for ways that we could sound proof our basement so as not to interrupt the child's sleep. I like to watch movies/listen to music at "reference" levels. And the drum kit... well it's a drum kit...

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

That would be very hard to do with your budget situation. Specifically the low frequencies will travel all the way up. You could try to reduce the impact by adding insulation below the main floor. Lots of it.

By budget I mean you have a baby, money goes to the kid's needs first

 

[Ted White]

Insulation is one of the more expensive items (per square foot) that you might consider, and would do the least, specifically for the low frequencies. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but there's lots of lab data fortunately.

 

[sdifox]

Insulation is one of the more expensive items (per square foot) that you might consider, and would do the least, specifically for the low frequencies. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but there's lots of lab data fortunately.

I was operating under the assumption that he is not building a sound proof room in the basement :biggrin:

I was under the impression that blown cellulose is pretty good for sound isolation?

 

[Ted White]

Blown cellulose can be a real liability. If installed perfectly, and at a low density, it's great. To get that sort of perfection assured, you have to have open stud or joist cavities. Otherwise if you don't remove the drywall before blowing in, there's a great chance that the insulation will catch on something and back up and compress. Compressed insulation conducts vibration.

 

[sdifox]

Blown cellulose can be a real liability. If installed perfectly, and at a low density, it's great. To get that sort of perfection assured, you have to have open stud or joist cavities. Otherwise if you don't remove the drywall before blowing in, there's a great chance that the insulation will catch on something and back up and compress. Compressed insulation conducts vibration.

Yeah, I was assuming his basement ceiling hasn't been enclosed.

 

[Ted White]

If they kept it to a low-demsity installation, that would be really great. But fiberglass batt might be cheaper, and will actually work better in the low frequencies. per NRC lab data.

 

[Soccerman06]

How far are you willing to go with reconstructing the basement? Concrete fortification with green goo work the best.

 

[dpodblood]

How far are you willing to go with reconstructing the basement? Concrete fortification with green goo work the best.

I doubt we would be going with anything that extreme. It doesn't have to be extreme isolation. I expect you would still be able to hear some sound, especially lower frequencies. Basically whatever can be done to decrease the sound would be nice.

 

[sdifox]

I doubt we would be going with anything that extreme. It doesn't have to be extreme isolation. I expect you would still be able to hear some sound, especially lower frequencies. Basically whatever can be done to decrease the sound would be nice.

insulate child from noise :biggrin:

 

[Tiamat]

Do all of the following:

1. Stay away from stairs.
2. Make a stage for your drums and fill cavity with play sand.
3. Rsic clips and hat channel with double 5/8” drywall sandwiching green glue for all walls and ceiling.
4. Loose roxul in all joist and stud bays.
5. Exterior grade or theater grade solid door.
6. Do not place electrical outlets, switches, etc. within the same stud bay as outlets or switches on the other side of the shared wall.
7. All HVAC should be in a Soffit that is insulated and has double drywall green glue construction.


Edit: seems like you are not interested in this level of sound isolation. Probably the most economical ideas are to put your drums in a room a far from stairs as possible, solid core door. Solid core door for your baby room which is as far away from drums as possible.

 

[dpodblood]

insulate child from noise :biggrin:

Sadly that may be the easiest solution!

 

[GrumpyMan]

Best solution is cover up the drums and equipment for 5 years, pull out when kid is older.

 

[dpodblood]

Best solution is cover up the drums and equipment for 5 years, pull out when kid is older.

They have been covered up long enough living in apartments for the last 5 years.