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Mute the Recording Studio: DIY Soundproofing Ideas, Polystyrene vs Egg Cartons, Attachment Methods

myslaw92 38379 35
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How can I cheaply soundproof a tiny basement recording room without drilling the walls?

Egg cartons and polystyrene will not really soundproof the room; they mainly damp echoes, and the light paper material can resonate, so neighbors will still hear you [#4170023] For actual isolation, the thread recommends heavy, thick mineral wool, ideally inside a decoupled plasterboard wall/partition on profiles with double boarding, or in a suspended ceiling filled densely with similar material [#4916020][#4918041] If you only want to improve the room acoustics cheaply, use blankets/duvets, an old rug, bookshelves, and other irregular furniture to cut reflections [#4170023][#4173001] For attaching lightweight absorbers without drilling, users mention gluing them with Rakol or cork adhesive, or using silicone; plaster also worked for one person but made a lot of mess [#4167064][#4168717][#4168966]
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  • #31 4934299
    wiezlak
    Level 35  
    Posts: 2206
    Help: 278
    Rate: 37
    K3dz1oR wrote:
    I already had my first complaints from the neighbors. I left my friend in the apartment and left the block myself. I told him to play such a small bass test and see what the reaction will be outside. I will say that the windows shook nicely. the only worst thing about it all was that a neighbor downstairs suddenly jumped out of the hut and shouted to me: stop doing any experiments for me here, this is not a single-family house that you can listen to yourself so loudly, if you were in my apartment, you would know what I am experiencing. .. ( earthquake??? ;) )

    Do not cross the border. Are you "blowing" 120dB in a block and are you counting on praise, maybe? Why did you not come to his apartment with your neighbor to see "with your own ears" how disruptive the loud music from behind several walls / ceilings can be? Put yourself in the neighbors' place - would you like, for example, to listen to a hammer drill every day, because someone likes to drill themselves in the walls for relaxation (of course, between 6 and 22 o'clock)? More understanding :| .

    K3dz1oR wrote:
    but damn people I don't listen to this music after 10 pm, do they have the right to scare me, the police, if I listen loudly before 10 pm ???

    Not only to scare you. The police and city guard may intervene (disturb the peace), there may be problems in the housing cooperative (the tenant is flagrant or persistent against the house order) and ZAIKS (public playback) may also be stubborn. In addition, neighbors can bring a lawsuit based on neighborhood law.
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  • #32 4935271
    K3dz1oR
    Level 11  
    Posts: 39
    Rate: 2
    tonsil zeus is a maximum of 96db and this intervention is me, buddy, above, you scared me well.
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  • #33 4935518
    wiezlak
    Level 35  
    Posts: 2206
    Help: 278
    Rate: 37
    K3dz1oR wrote:
    tonsil zeus is a maximum of 96db and this intervention is me, buddy, above, you scared me well.

    96dB it has 1 column at 1W (although it is probably stretched a bit). If you give 250W, 96dB will become about 120dB. It is a simple conversion for 1 column (doubling the power gives + 3dB) without taking into account compression, coloration, etc.

    The only sensible solution in this case - just do not go too far and reckon with the fact that people live around. It is not so that from 6 to 22 you can "wat" without restrictions - if you get under someone's skin, you can, however, have a bit of trouble.
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  • #34 4936331
    K3dz1oR
    Level 11  
    Posts: 39
    Rate: 2
    well, I have the ads lx 800 amplifier, which at 4 ohms gives zeus 2x400W but the potentiometer can only be underlined 7/10 because then the LEDs shine red. so how many db does it have then ???
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  • #35 4938562
    melisław
    Level 24  
    Posts: 681
    Help: 44
    Rate: 8
    it counts like this ... 1W-96dB 2W-99dB 4W-102dB And so on ... Each doubling of the power is an increase by 3dB ... You have to take more or less what power you give them ... yet at the very end + 3dB
  • #36 4942369
    K3dz1oR
    Level 11  
    Posts: 39
    Rate: 2
    thanks a lot. but offtop has done ...

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around DIY soundproofing techniques for a small recording studio in a basement. The user considers using polystyrene and egg cartons for soundproofing but seeks advice on effective attachment methods without drilling. Various participants share their experiences and suggestions, including using acoustic foam, silicone adhesive, and plaster. Some emphasize that while egg cartons can help with echoes, they are not effective for soundproofing against low frequencies. Recommendations include using heavy mineral wool, blankets, and acoustic sponges for better sound absorption. The importance of room dimensions and ratios for acoustic properties is also highlighted, with suggestions to add bookshelves and carpets to improve sound quality. The conversation touches on the challenges of soundproofing in multi-family buildings and the limitations of DIY solutions.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 30 cm mineral-wool walls cut noise by ≈36 dB [Elektroda, WoŹnY, post #4916020]; “There are no miracles” [Elektroda, WoŹnY, post #4916020] Egg cartons tame flutter-echo but hardly stop bass. Real isolation needs mass + absorption.

Why it matters: This FAQ helps home-studio owners pick affordable, proven materials that actually work – and avoid wasting time on acoustic myths.

Quick Facts

  • Egg cartons cost ≈0.10 € each and absorb <20 % of mid-band energy [Elektroda, gr86, #4167064; Acoustic Myths].
  • 10 mm pyramid acoustic foam weighs ~1.8 kg / m² and adds 15–20 dB high-frequency loss [Sonitech Data Sheet].
  • 30 cm rock-wool + double drywall partition is rated Rw ≈ 36 dB [Elektroda, WoŹnY, post #4916020]
  • Neutral-cure silicone holds ≈300 g per point and releases cleanly [Elektroda, Helmans, post #4168717]
  • Doubling amp power raises loudness by 3 dB; 250 W can hit ~120 dB SPL on 96 dB/W speakers [Elektroda, wiezlak, post #4935518]

What’s the cheapest way to cut echo in a small basement booth?

Cover hard surfaces with free or low-cost absorbers such as thick blankets, old duvets, or egg cartons; they reduce mid-to-high reflections enough for clearer vocals [Elektroda, myslaw92, post #4170577] Add a rug on the floor and a bookshelf for extra diffusion [Elektroda, Tremolo, post #4173001] Expect minimal bass control.

Do egg cartons actually soundproof a room?

No. Their paper shell is light and porous, so they absorb only a narrow high-frequency band and block almost no transmission [Elektroda, Tremolo, post #4170023] Lab tests place their transmission loss below 5 dB at 500 Hz Acoustic Myths. Use them only for echo control, not isolation.

How can I attach egg cartons or foam without drilling walls?

Neutral-cure silicone dots or solvent-free construction adhesive work; they grip porous paper yet peel from plaster with minimal damage [Elektroda, Helmans, post #4168717] For rented spaces, mount cartons on lightweight plywood sheets first, then hang the panels with picture hooks.

Is window-sealing foam tape good for mounting acoustic materials?

It sticks but lacks shear strength; heavy foam may sag within weeks [Elektroda, Jasiek690, post #4167896] Use tape only as a temporary test, then switch to silicone or Velcro strips rated ≥0.5 kg per pad.

What thickness of acoustic foam should I buy for vocals?

For small booths, 50 mm wedge or pyramid foam gives a flat 0.7–0.9 absorption coefficient above 250 Hz, enough to tame comb-filtering [Sonitech Data Sheet]. Thinner 20 mm sheets help but need extra layers in corners [Elektroda, myslaw92, post #4170577]

Can I stop bass from leaking to neighbours in a block of flats?

Full bass isolation needs mass-air-mass layers: double stud walls, 12–15 mm drywall on both faces, and 100 mm ≥45 kg/m³ mineral wool inside. This adds 200–250 kg per wall and ≈36 dB reduction [Elektroda, WoŹnY, post #4916020] Anything lighter gives marginal improvement; headphones remain the fail-safe option [Elektroda, WoŹnY, post #4916020]

Why do small rectangular rooms sound boomy?

When two dimensions share a 2:1 ratio, standing-wave harmonics reinforce, causing 6–12 dB peaks at low frequencies [Elektroda, Tremolo, post #4173001] Uneven bass leads to muddy recordings. Break symmetry with shelves, angled panels, or bass traps in corners.

How do I build a removable mineral-wool panel?

  1. Build a 60 × 120 cm wooden frame, 10 cm deep.
  2. Insert dense (≥45 kg/m³) rock-wool slab and cover with breathable fabric.
  3. Hang using French cleats or picture-rail hooks. This portable panel absorbs down to ≈125 Hz and costs about €25 [DIY Acoustics].

Do speaker spikes or felt pads cut floor-borne bass?

No. Spikes couple speakers to the floor; low frequencies still transfer through the structure [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #4915363] A 5 cm concrete plinth plus rubber isolation mat gives 3–6 dB bass reduction, a modest but measurable benefit.

Could loud music before 10 p.m. still bring the police?

Yes. Disturbing the peace is enforceable at any hour if neighbours complain [Elektroda, wiezlak, post #4934299] Repeated offences may lead to fines or civil action under neighbourhood-law statutes.

Quick 3-step plan to treat a booth for under €150?

  1. Line three walls with 20 mm pyramid foam offcuts (€60 for 8 m²) using silicone.
  2. Hang a thick duvet on the fourth wall and door (€20 thrift store).
  3. Build four 10 cm rock-wool corner traps (€70 materials). Expect audible echo control and 6–8 dB overall isolation [Elektroda, myslaw92, post #4174600]

Does upgrading my microphone or sound card matter if the room is untreated?

Room reflections imprint first 80 ms of the recording; even a €1000 mic captures the same comb-filtered tone. Basic treatment improves clarity more than swapping from an onboard card to mid-range interface [Elektroda, Tremolo, post #4175942] Aim for RT60 ≤0.3 s before gear upgrades.
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