Wall coverings at DVinfo.net

Seth Bloombaum · May 25th, 2010, 07:57 PM

I'm considering taking a small building down to studs & siding.

Then, the question would be, what to cover the walls with? Perhaps fiberglass batting insulation, raw side to the room, and a cloth covering?

I don't want to be on the wrong side of flammability, but, I'm hearing terrible things about the chemicals used to fireproof cloth.

Then, assuming this goes forward, there are issues of supporting the batting so it doesn't sag...

The goal here is to create multipurpose space, about 17'x20', to be used as an insert studio (video/audio), and office space.

Ideas, web sites, things that have worked, things that haven't?

Rick Reineke · May 26th, 2010, 10:24 AM

Usually a recording studio is built or renovated with 'sound transmission levels' (STL) in mind first. Keeping extraneous noise out / internal noise in, which could mean, double-walls, double-glass, lead sheeting, fiberglass, cement, filled cinder blocks, floating floors, walls, ceilings, ect. An extremely quiet HVAC system is another area that should be considered. Then address the interior acoustical reflection control. Three very different areas of studio construction.
I would suggest searching "Recording studio construction and design" and "Sound Isolation Strategies and Indoor Noise Reduction" for books and information and peruse information and services available from the acoustical treatment manufacturers like Auralex.

Seth Bloombaum · May 26th, 2010, 10:44 AM

Thanks for those suggestions. I'm glad to say that isolation is going to be easy (!), due to the quiet location. I should have mentioned this in the first post.

Since the space needs renovation down to the studs/siding anyways, and is quiet, I have a somewhat unique opportunity to not use drywall as a wall surface, so, I'm wondering about alternatives that will be better for reflection control.

Most interesting so far is FabriTrak, a channel system by which various fire-rated and acoustic-rated architectural fabrics can be stretched to look like panels. Behind the fabric? Something absorbtive...?

Rick Reineke · May 26th, 2010, 11:02 AM

Auralex has a 'free room treatment analysis' that may be useful.
Auralex Acoustics - Product Application Support

Mark Wheeler · May 26th, 2010, 11:42 AM

Home Recording - Powered by vBulletin has a studio topic where this is discussed ad nauseum.

Adam Gold · May 26th, 2010, 12:39 PM

Most of the soundstages I've seen appear to have what appears to be expandable foam (or something like it) between the studs. Appears to be shot in as a liquid which expands, and then some fine mesh appears to be fastened over it (much finer than chicken wire -- I'd say about 1/4" mesh). When we remodeled our house I remember looking at a home level product called Icynene. Huge insulating and sound-deadening properties but somewhat expensive.

Then you can drape anything you like over it.

Don Xaliman · May 27th, 2010, 09:02 PM

I've always been quite happy with hand woven thick wool carpets on the end walls and bookcases full of interesting odd shaped books on the side walls. Looks good, sounds good and has a good natural vibe.

Seth Bloombaum · May 28th, 2010, 07:17 AM

Thanks all, for the great ideas - research continues!

May 25th, 2010, 07:57 PM	#1
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Wall coverings I'm considering taking a small building down to studs & siding. Then, the question would be, what to cover the walls with? Perhaps fiberglass batting insulation, raw side to the room, and a cloth covering? I don't want to be on the wrong side of flammability, but, I'm hearing terrible things about the chemicals used to fireproof cloth. Then, assuming this goes forward, there are issues of supporting the batting so it doesn't sag... The goal here is to create multipurpose space, about 17'x20', to be used as an insert studio (video/audio), and office space. Ideas, web sites, things that have worked, things that haven't? __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

May 26th, 2010, 10:44 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Thanks for those suggestions. I'm glad to say that isolation is going to be easy (!), due to the quiet location. I should have mentioned this in the first post. Since the space needs renovation down to the studs/siding anyways, and is quiet, I have a somewhat unique opportunity to not use drywall as a wall surface, so, I'm wondering about alternatives that will be better for reflection control. Most interesting so far is FabriTrak, a channel system by which various fire-rated and acoustic-rated architectural fabrics can be stretched to look like panels. Behind the fabric? Something absorbtive...? __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

May 26th, 2010, 12:39 PM	#6
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Most of the soundstages I've seen appear to have what appears to be expandable foam (or something like it) between the studs. Appears to be shot in as a liquid which expands, and then some fine mesh appears to be fastened over it (much finer than chicken wire -- I'd say about 1/4" mesh). When we remodeled our house I remember looking at a home level product called Icynene. Huge insulating and sound-deadening properties but somewhat expensive. Then you can drape anything you like over it. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

May 28th, 2010, 07:17 AM	#8
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Thanks all, for the great ideas - research continues! __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

May 26th, 2010, 10:24 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Usually a recording studio is built or renovated with 'sound transmission levels' (STL) in mind first. Keeping extraneous noise out / internal noise in, which could mean, double-walls, double-glass, lead sheeting, fiberglass, cement, filled cinder blocks, floating floors, walls, ceilings, ect. An extremely quiet HVAC system is another area that should be considered. Then address the interior acoustical reflection control. Three very different areas of studio construction. I would suggest searching "Recording studio construction and design" and "Sound Isolation Strategies and Indoor Noise Reduction" for books and information and peruse information and services available from the acoustical treatment manufacturers like Auralex.

May 26th, 2010, 11:02 AM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Auralex has a 'free room treatment analysis' that may be useful. Auralex Acoustics - Product Application Support

May 26th, 2010, 11:42 AM	#5
Mark Wheeler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hemet, CA. Posts: 87	Home Recording - Powered by vBulletin has a studio topic where this is discussed ad nauseum.

May 27th, 2010, 09:02 PM	#7
Don Xaliman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 96	I've always been quite happy with hand woven thick wool carpets on the end walls and bookcases full of interesting odd shaped books on the side walls. Looks good, sounds good and has a good natural vibe.