Practicing in Silence

[Kevincav]

I'm trying to turn my closet into a studio type of thing, where no one outside of it will hear me practice. I wanted to know if anyone had any idea's for a cheap way to do it. I know of the foam, is that the most price efficient way. I've seen portable studio's where you step in and close a door, but those cost at least 3 grand.

Thanks for the help.

[Kamarag]

Sound-absorbent foam is the most cost efficient. The problem you may run into, however, is lack of ventilation.

Edited September 10, 2011 by Kamarag

[Kevincav]

Yeah here's what I was thinking... Was basically going to build a plywood booth, and double up the layer's of foam. Put a plywood wall with foam on it on the outside, then do it again on the inside. I'm not sure if this is necessary since it's my first time doing it. But my wall's in my room are thin, so I'm trying to keep everything out. Then with this, it would basically be it's own separate room, since I'm going to build it as a booth with wheels on the bottom.

The ventilation thing is a problem though, got any idea's?

[PhillySoprano]

Why not buy a silent brass system , then you can play anywhere.

[Kevincav]

Got one of those too. Just wanted to see if there was also a cheap way to play without the mute.

[Dave]

It's gonna sound awful either way. It's cheaper to just get a practice mute.

[Kevincav]

Oh ok.

[The Other Mike]

Heres another thought:

Build the plywood box as you stated

Install full cut 2 x 2's on 24" centers

Find a local INDUSTRIAL insulation company and ask them for scraps of "mineral wool" ( like fiberglass batt insulation but 20 times thicker and used to make insulation blankets for boilers and tanks ) Usually they will have tons of scraps in all shapes and sizes that they throw away. Tell them what you are doing and most likely they will give you all the scraps for free along with self sticking clips to attach it to the plywood. ( insulation people are usually bored with the everyday stuff and get excited to help someone with something different )

Once installed, cover the walls with pegboard. what little sound bounces back from the pegboard is deadned on the other side.

Another idea, but hard to find outside of a very few insluation companies is cork.

Before foams were used in cold storage construction, cork was used. You can find it in case lots of 1/2" to 6" thicknesses. My Father installed 1/2" cork on my bedroom wall and they could hardly hear me playing. ( 60's & 70's )

Yea, my father was an insulation guru who specialized in cold storage construction and I grew up in the business.

Another CHEAP thought is this. Do the same but cover the walls in multiple layers of cardboard egg cartons then hang old blankets over the walls.

Hope this helps

[FreelancerAlumni]

Look up McMaster-Carr on line. Once you get to the on-line catalog, in the search feature, search for "sound absorbing", hit enter. They sell industrial materials.

Heres another thought:

Build the plywood box as you stated

Install full cut 2 x 2's on 24" centers

Find a local INDUSTRIAL insulation company and ask them for scraps of "mineral wool" ( like fiberglass batt insulation but 20 times thicker and used to make insulation blankets for boilers and tanks ) Usually they will have tons of scraps in all shapes and sizes that they throw away. Tell them what you are doing and most likely they will give you all the scraps for free along with self sticking clips to attach it to the plywood. ( insulation people are usually bored with the everyday stuff and get excited to help someone with something different )

Once installed, cover the walls with pegboard. what little sound bounces back from the pegboard is deadned on the other side.

Another idea, but hard to find outside of a very few insluation companies is cork.

Before foams were used in cold storage construction, cork was used. You can find it in case lots of 1/2" to 6" thicknesses. My Father installed 1/2" cork on my bedroom wall and they could hardly hear me playing. ( 60's & 70's )

Yea, my father was an insulation guru who specialized in cold storage construction and I grew up in the business.

Another CHEAP thought is this. Do the same but cover the walls in multiple layers of cardboard egg cartons then hang old blankets over the walls.

Hope this helps