You advise to measure the frequencies and SPL to determine if I will need a small or large amount of material. Will you you be adding another video to show types of materials and arangements of them for barrier technology for the basement ceiling?
Hi Brian Fischer With a basement, we have by definition barrier technology already in place. Most basements are 8" poured concrete surrounded by tons and tons of soil. As far as barriers go, this is about as good as it gets considering the soil is free. Our next task becomes one of usage. What are you doing in the room. Is it a live room for recording instruments. If so, what instruments will you be using in the basement. Are you mixing and mastering? What are the SPL levels you are working at. Many questions must be answered first before any type of room treatment is placed or designed for no matter what the room usage; either The materials required are directly related in quantity and positions to the intended room usage. We will use different materials for each room usage and either absorption/diffusion or both once again dependent on usage. Thanks Dennis
Brian Fischer Hi Brian, I asked my colleague to pose your question to me in our latest Google Hangout so I could give it a little more consideration. You can see the video here: www.acousticfields.com/acoustic-treatment-google-hangout-week-3/ Skip to 16:24 for my answer to your question. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Thanks Dennis
Hello, What types of materials would you recommend for isolating a concrete slab basement from the upstairs house? I record a variety of live instruments with the loudest being drums. Usually Its not the high frequencies that you can hear upstairs, It's the mid/low mid and lows that cut through. (1k-50hz)
+Matthias Mandl Basements are both good and bad. The walls are surrounded with concrete and earth which reduces noise transmission. However, the low frequencies have no place to go. Sound is like water. It will find the weakest link and go through it. That is why it is migrating through the ceiling into the first floor. Barrier technology must be designed to deal with the frequencies of noise and more importantly the magnitude or strength of that "noise". Measurements must be taken to insure that proper density and rigidity of the chose barrier is maintained.
I'm about to buy a house and drums are my life. Can I sound proof the basement enough not to worry about neighbors? I live on a busy road now but am going to a side streeet and am worried now. It's a finished basement with hardwood floors. I have acoustic foam already but I know that only dampens reverbs.
Hi Larry, Lets remember that there is no such thing as sound proof. Its all about sound management strategy and achieving lower pressure levels to fall into an acceptable range for all receivers and senders of the "noise" using the appropriate tactics. Your basement will work well as a sound management tactic for drums. Earth and concrete are good barriers. Since the sound will be impeded by the walls and earth, it will head up through the first floor.which is a path of less density than the walls. Is that an issue?
It's not going to be for me or my fiancé but the neighbors hopefully won't be bothered at all. If I was to rip off the current sheet rock, insulate with roxul then re sheet rock with quiet rock with green glue on it would that help? First I guess I'll see if anyone says anything ofcourse but I'm just nervous. Neighbors aren't too close though but it is a quiet road.
You advise to measure the frequencies and SPL to determine if I will need a small or large amount of material. Will you you be adding another video to show types of materials and arangements of them for barrier technology for the basement ceiling?
Hi Brian Fischer
With a basement, we have by definition barrier technology already in place. Most basements are 8" poured concrete surrounded by tons and tons of soil. As far as barriers go, this is about as good as it gets considering the soil is free.
Our next task becomes one of usage. What are you doing in the room. Is it a live room for recording instruments. If so, what instruments will you be using in the basement. Are you mixing and mastering? What are the SPL levels you are working at. Many questions must be answered first before any type of room treatment is placed or designed for no matter what the room usage; either
The materials required are directly related in quantity and positions to the intended room usage. We will use different materials for each room usage and either absorption/diffusion or both once again dependent on usage.
Thanks
Dennis
Brian Fischer Hi Brian,
I asked my colleague to pose your question to me in our latest Google Hangout so I could give it a little more consideration. You can see the video here:
www.acousticfields.com/acoustic-treatment-google-hangout-week-3/
Skip to 16:24 for my answer to your question. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Thanks
Dennis
Awesome explanation as usual. I'm looking forward to apply it on my basement during my vacation.
Peace out!
Hello, What types of materials would you recommend for isolating a concrete slab basement from the upstairs house? I record a variety of live instruments with the loudest being drums. Usually Its not the high frequencies that you can hear upstairs, It's the mid/low mid and lows that cut through. (1k-50hz)
+Matthias Mandl Basements are both good and bad. The walls are surrounded with concrete and earth which reduces noise transmission. However, the low frequencies have no place to go. Sound is like water. It will find the weakest link and go through it. That is why it is migrating through the ceiling into the first floor. Barrier technology must be designed to deal with the frequencies of noise and more importantly the magnitude or strength of that "noise". Measurements must be taken to insure that proper density and rigidity of the chose barrier is maintained.
Would bass traps help to put in the corners of basements?
I'm about to buy a house and drums are my life. Can I sound proof the basement enough not to worry about neighbors? I live on a busy road now but am going to a side streeet and am worried now. It's a finished basement with hardwood floors. I have acoustic foam already but I know that only dampens reverbs.
Hi Larry, Lets remember that there is no such thing as sound proof. Its all about sound management strategy and achieving lower pressure levels to fall into an acceptable range for all receivers and senders of the "noise" using the appropriate tactics. Your basement will work well as a sound management tactic for drums. Earth and concrete are good barriers. Since the sound will be impeded by the walls and earth, it will head up through the first floor.which is a path of less density than the walls. Is that an issue?
It's not going to be for me or my fiancé but the neighbors hopefully won't be bothered at all. If I was to rip off the current sheet rock, insulate with roxul then re sheet rock with quiet rock with green glue on it would that help? First I guess I'll see if anyone says anything ofcourse but I'm just nervous. Neighbors aren't too close though but it is a quiet road.
Thank you for getting back to me.
I could do that to the basement ceiling maybe if anyone ever says something.