Studio : Windows or Airconditioning????

Explorerlover

Right, so I know a bunch of you guys have your own studios etc etc. My question is, if you had to build a new one, would you use windows that are soundproof or skip the windows and install an airconditioner in the name of soundproofing [keeping outside outside and not part of your new hit].? I'm currently converting a 8X3m single garage into my own little piece of studio heaven, but need some advise on the whole soundproofing Vs. I need to be able to breathe battle.

Thanks

Neps

AirConditioning is a must.. Those summer months can be deadly if you dont have any cooling.. But I made the mistake of not having a window in the new place.. We did the drawings, built the place and then only afterwards we all realized.. NO windows.. And that sux.. cause now I cant look out of the window to just relax or see whats going on.. or natural light.

At the end of the day it comes down to budget..

AlanRatcliffe

Aircon. Soundproof windows are airtight, so you'd have to open them between takes (and will never be as soundproof as a wall). If you want natural light, use two layers of glass bricks with an airgap between.

Manfred-Klose

Airconditioning will certainly cool down the place, but if you are going to spend a few hours in there with some sweaty musos you'll need to think of getting fresh air in there(ventilation), otherwise it wont smell very pleasent in the studio.

How much are you looking at to spend on a aircon, it should also be a very silent one...............

Explorerlover

Right, now that you mention the sweaty musos...SIES!!!

I was hoping you studiophiles would answer.

The glassbrick thing sounds cool for the light aspect. I saw that to get a suitable aircon, it would probably cost R 3500 +. I can always open the door between takes aswell... I was also thinking of getting sliding aluminium windows and putting two of those next to each other in the window frame with the airgap between them, but I was thinking then of putting in two windows and for the price I'll pay for those, I might aswell get the aircon and the glassbricks.

Riaan

My question is, if you had to build a new one, would you use windows that are soundproof or skip the windows and install an airconditioner in the name of soundproofing

I've been through this whole exercise last year. In my case, my studio is also the old garage which forms part of the front of the house. Due to building regulations (municipal and those imposed by my wife :'() I had to include a window, which with hindsight I'm actually glad about now. It is nice to look out.

The glassbrick thing sounds cool for the light aspect

- sounds like a good idea also.

I installed a double layer of shatterproof glass into a single frame which is adequate for my purpose, though not of professional standard. I might install a second window frame separate from the existing one on the inside, with a sliding window. For the time being I've got thick curtains that helps.

For roof isolation I installed several layers of stuff in the roof, inbetween the original slanted ceiling and below the roofplates, and finally a hanging ceiling made of Isoboard (essentially styrofoam, easy to work with) and for good measure added a thick layer of Pink Aerolyte on top of the Isoboard. This is all screwed and glued to a frame suspended by wires from the rafters, and sealed where it touches the walls. This took me several weekends to do and is one of those things I won't easily do again...especially that bloody fibreglass!

The door I finally settled on is an aluminium normal hinged type door, with thick glass and some kind of seal around the edges. My door opening is deep enough to install a second set of doors (which I haven't done yet), thereby creating a sealed off space that might double as a vocal booth should I need it - I'll figure out a way to get some cool aircon air in there.

But back to the issue about aircon: after all the above I found that my place is reasonably well sealed, it remains remarkably cool if kept closed but the moment I switch on the PC, start playing etc. the temperature skyrockets... ?. Especially in summer. Also, the air becomes noticably stale very rapidly. My next step (soon) will be to install aircon... It appears to be essential both from a fresh air and temperature control point of view.

Riaan

Another reason I want to install aircon and keep the temperature regulated (apart from that it's good for the guitars) is this:

When the wonderful world of acoustics opened up before me, I read about a Helmholtz resonator...and the pictures I saw of homemade ones reminded me of something...and then it struck me! Above my door is a space that I originally intended to be a storage cupboard, but that will easily accommodate at least 50-60 bottles of wine... 8)

So sometime soon I'm gonna construct a modified Helmholtz resonator with a bottle of wine in each tube... ?

Neps

Riaan wrote:

So sometime soon I'm gonna construct a modified Helmholtz resonator with a bottle of wine in each tube... ?

I'll be prepared to help you with filling up those spaces..! hic..hic.. :goodtimes:

Explorerlover

Yeah, the roof and ceiling is the other issue. But I think I'll pile a bunch of Aerolite and blankets or something ontop of the ceiling...

Neps

The roof is quite often forgot.. The 'think pink' stuff works quite well.. Not brilliant, but good.. Blankets might put you at a fire risk..

AlanRatcliffe

Neps wrote: The roof is quite often forgot.. The 'think pink' stuff works quite well.. Not brilliant, but good.. Blankets might put you at a fire risk..

I'm under the impression that Aerolite is too low density to have much of an effect - Rockwool mineral wool would be a better choice, and also fairly inexpensive. Blankets definitely a bad idea unless you know they are fire rated (still no guarantee that they will affect the sound transmission though).

Riaan

There is a product called Echo Insulation which is made of wastepaper (treated so it can't burn) which is sprayed into the ceiling, and fills all cavities nicely. It's lightweight so one can spray a nice thick layer in there. I'm not sure how it rates in terms of soundproofing - the manufactureres do claim that it is beneficial in terms of soundproofing but I haven't seen STC figures or comparisons to other products. But I guess it's better than nothing at all, and it sure is easier to work with than fibreglass. I would rather go for that before I put blankets up there.

Explorerlover

Came across a cool studio design site.

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=0a6a77e139dcd3c6bed847eaba6c9288

Lot of the stuff we probably don;t get here, but the ideas are cool

deanBailey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Neps wrote: The roof is quite often forgot.. The 'think pink' stuff works quite well.. Not brilliant, but good.. Blankets might put you at a fire risk..
I'm under the impression that Aerolite is too low density to have much of an effect - Rockwool mineral wool would be a better choice, and also fairly inexpensive. Blankets definitely a bad idea unless you know they are fire rated (still no guarantee that they will affect the sound transmission though).

Correct, I've researched the figures and Aerolite (think pink) is more for thermal usage even though it does supply a fair amount of sound resistance. So I had Rockwool (I think two layers) put in my ceiling.
The only thing is that it does keep the heat out and the cool in lol but if the studio happens to get hot it keeps the heat in and the cool out ?.

This is a bit of a debate.

For windows, as far as I understand if you close the doors and shut off the lights, where ever you see light coming through, that's where sound will escape/enter. Unless of course there's a fair amount of decoupling between the two layers of glass (or three as I've seen in some REALLY soundproof broadcasting studios but that almost makes "visual penetration" useless and therefore making windows redundant)

As much as windows look nicer and more welcoming (provides a more mentally comfortable environment for better performances), I'd go with the air conditioning route as I favour functionality over aestetics.
Throw in a couple of mini trees or plants if you worried about your Feng Shui hehe.

Just that if the aircon is in your booths (assuming it's the wall mounted unit) where it should be, as those become sauna's after long hours of usage with little/no vents, you'd have to turn them off before hitting that record button lol which sucks as it almost makes it redundant being off when you need it. The only time you can sorta have it on while recording is when you're doing loud cabs with directional dynamic mics but then you don't really need the aircon 'cause most often there isn't anyone in the booth at the time lol.