httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf7F5928BnI&list=UU9a-HaDSmEP0g3EeT59nrhQ  Soundproofing is often misunderstood.  Here are some concepts to grasp:

1. Soundproofing attempts to reduce the amount of sound conducted in and out of a room.  It can enable you to play drums without waking your neighbors or record intimate vocals next to an airport runway (ideally).

2. Foam on the wall, expensive or cheap, does nothing for soundproofing.  Sound dampening material inside the room acts as acoustic/sound treatment, which I’ll cover in an upcoming post.

3. Soundproofing is almost always a relative term.  It’s nearly impossible to construct a completely soundproof space, but reducing sound to acceptable levels is achievable.

For the most part, I’m able to do my thing in the studio and my family is able to do their thing in the rest of our house, and our sound levels don’t bother each other.  This video shows what I’ve done to make my studio more soundproof.

The video covers three main principles, 1) mass, 2) empty space, and 3) isolation.  Products and techniques discussed include insulation, extra drywall, double-framed walls, insulation, resilient channel, doors, windows, and air handlers.

For more information on this topic, check out parts 2 and 3 of this series.