help with new studio space

We'll most likely have a curtain across one wall anyway. (It's a glass storefront and we'd like to be able to open the curtain for light now and then anyway)

Also probably will need foam on the ceiling because we didn't count on rain noise since we've been in a 3 story building for a couple decades.

if i understood you correctly, you're planning on using foam to reduce noise from rain? if so, that won't work, foam is for reflections, and can muffle noises perhaps a bit, but outside noise can only be remedied by mass, so in that case your best bet is MLV, mass loaded vinyl.
 
-record label....LOL

I was hoping that the foam would also absorb reflections from the other side, but I know that real soundproofing is probably out of the price range.
 
MLV isnt cheap but it's also not terribly expensive, see if you can find a local supplier, im pretty sure i recall one being in NJ
 
Don't forget you can also hang sound absorption material (pads, etc) vertically from the ceiling to catch bouncing sound. Very effective.

My CAD: :grin:
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rain noise is usually structure born - so not really sound, until it emerges in the room - so as said, it needs isolation and damping. If you stick a bit of foam on some sheet material and tap on the other side, you hear it quite well. In very basic terms, the 'wind' that carries the sound gets absorbed in foam, and attenuation starts at the higher frequencies and progresses downwards as the foam gets thicker and denser - but rain noise is pretty low frequency, so passes right through!
 
so how often does the average video shoot get rescheduled due to noise?

I think you need to work out your business offer. My studio we are clear that is is not a sound stage. We are close to a proper audio studio and can do VO there or in other situations would suggest renting a different location.

It seems to me that getting true quiet must basically start with a specific architecture.

Like the audio place near me, basically the rooms are not in contact with the external structure at all..

S
 
Thanks Darren and Chuck,

Acoustics are truly horrendous. We'll have to get foam for the ceiling and some roll out carpet. We may have a problem with outside noise also which will be a much more expensive fix. As Morgan said, we won't be selling our place as a soundstage.

Planning on a cyclorama where the white background is. 20 feet wide to the corner
 
Don't forget in addition to the foam, try hanging heavy cloth (fire resistant, ideally) from the girders, hanging down to about the height of the white BG or a little higher.
Too bad about the exterior sound...

Have fun with the cyc!
 
Acoustics are truly horrendous.

Do yourself a big favor and call an acoustics engineer for a consult. There are things you can do to limit sound transmission to/from the outside, and things you can do to improve sound recording inside. It takes more than just hanging some sound blankets...
 
that size space getting better sound can get expensive quite fast. bringing in an acoustic engineer is a good idea, but he/she might just have $$$$ solutions for you. the basic thing you need to kill is reflections, from opposing solid walls. meaning no 2 walls should face each other, one should have foam/carpet/etc... you could get a medium pile carpet and line the entire ceiling with it, that should kill reflections between the floor and ceiling. hanging panels kills mostly sideways reflections, i'd prefer lining two of the walls with carpet instead. Carpet is the cheap alternative because it's mass produced for the consumer industry, not pro industry. Acoustic foam may be best, but will be a lot more expensive.

you don't need to cover every inch to get good results, so buying bulk rolls of runner carpet is a good inexpensive option and easy to cut and hang

and like i mentioned for killing outside noise, mass is the only thing to do it, and short of new wall panels, mass loaded vinyl is likely the only 'drop in' solution

im not an acoustic engineer, just know the basic principles of sound
 
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