Booth Design in a noisy Industrial loft - unique situation!

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:35 pm

Hello,

This is my fist post after much lurking and reading of Rod's book - so please forgive if I don't get it right the first time!

So here is my situation. I have a live/work loft space in the old Rainier brewery in Seattle.

Pretty cool space - except for the industrial coffee roasters (Tully's) which are right outside my window. They produce a constant (except for Sundays!) low-mid hum (around 180 - 300 I think) and slight vibration. I did not realize this before getting involved here, but needless to say, I'll be here awhile, and will need to be able to get some recording done.

The long term plan is to build a mini-studio (control room - iso booth), but I have, out of necessity, began the iso booth.

I've started construction, but have stopped to get advice on the best way to finish the booth - considering this omnipresent roaster sound - and feeling a bit overwhelmed by how to do it right.

The booth is 6'x6' (outside dimensions) and 8' tall. It sits on a 2x4 platform, filled with cellulose insulation, sandwiched between two pieces of 1/2" MDF.

The interior walls are 1/2" MDF. The outside walls, and insulation have not been started yet.

The ceiling is the same as the platform, but is made of 2x6 studs. I have not yet put the lid on or filled it with insulation.

I have framed out for a door, and a 2'x16" window.

I plan on doing no interior electrical or audio wiring and plan on just bringing it through a small pass-through via extension cords and a snake.

Any thoughts on how to finish this right? I don't have much money, but will take my time and spend what it takes to get it done right. I do this for a living, and having the booth done will help me tremendously.

Thank you!

Matt Brown
www.emerson77.com
www.myspace.com/thebreweryrecordingco

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2793813596_4de89d762f_b.jpg

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:21 pm

The concepts of soundproofing a room are the same be it preventing the sound from coming in or out.

Low frequency soundproofing means double walls with big air cavities. Soundproofing vibrations is more complex since you should act on the source. If that is not possible you might be able to minimize the impact using Green Glue or other impact noise reduction product (Ethafoam) in your structure

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:10 pm

Whatever you do, do not build it square, this will only reinforce...oh, nevermind.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:04 am

Space wrote:

Whatever you do, do not build it square, this will only reinforce...oh, nevermind.

I know, I know - I started it before I got deep into this stuff! Any help from here on out would be very appreciated.

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:14 am

Any one else have any ideas? I still feel a little lost here...

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:28 am

emerson77 wrote:

They produce a constant (except for Sundays!) low-mid hum (around 180 - 300 I think) and slight vibration. I did not realize this before getting involved here, but needless to say, I'll be here awhile, and will need to be able to get some recording done.

The long term plan is to build a mini-studio (control room - iso booth), but I have, out of necessity, began the iso booth.

I've started construction, but have stopped to get advice on the best way to finish the booth - considering this omnipresent roaster sound - and feeling a bit overwhelmed by how to do it right.

Looks like Sunday is going to be the most productive day?

You need to decouple the floor from the vibration but this idea doesn't help stop airborne noise.

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