How would one go about soundproofing a room?

[ElisabethWhispers]

Just curious.

And if you, a client, KNEW that the room was soundproof, would you be more inclined to scream louder? I know that often a man will mask his true emotions to keep the noise level under control.

Frankly, I just adore the moans of a person in the throes of whatever passion is going on at the time.

Elisabeth

[James1588]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

Just curious.

And if you, a client, KNEW that the room was soundproof, would you be more inclined to scream louder? I know that often a man will mask his true emotions to keep the noise level under control.

Frankly, I just adore the moans of a person in the throes of whatever passion is going on at the time.

Elisabeth

As a practical matter, you'd start with thick walls, plenty of insulation, and interior surfaces that absorb rather than reflect sound (plenty of soft carpeting and furnishings, maybe some wall hangings, etc).

Beyond that, rooms can be made VERY soundproof, but mostly by lining the interiors with thick foam blocks that have steep pyramid shapes pointing into the room. The cavities between these peaks are very efficient absorbers, because the sound has to make multiple reflections in order to escape, and each reflection absorbs a large fraction of the sound energy. It would make for a highly weird and somewhat useless room, though. Also, such measures increase thermal isolation beyond what you'd probably want, especially of a couple of adults are in there getting their exercise. Could get hotter and steamier than either of you would wish!

[Munk]

The foam can be bought at Guitar Center. I use the stuff for my home studio.

[Mickeyloeb]

The triangle pattern is very effective as is 'egg crate' style foam.

You can have foam injected between wall panels for walls that are in between rooms, this is less effective for walls that face outside as these already have insulation.

A layered approach works best, insulation between wall panels, with sound absorbing material used as hangings or such inside the room and on the same shared wall rooms in the rest of the house.

You could also have stone used on the walls, but that would have to be on a ground floor or basement room. As you are in Dallas, a basement is unlikely.

If you are 'musically inclined' or do 'voice-overs' or record 'readings' for special projects. The soundproofing could be for your 'recording' studio. Especially as Dallas has such high background noise.

Just a few thoughts.

And yes, if it is safe to let out one's 'inner feelings' one should do so. Isn't there some kind of 'shout' therapy that is good for letting out inner demons?

[RideFreeInTexas]

I'm an architect and the above is good advice. One comment I have is sound-deadened is much different than sound-proof and the above advice is for sound-deadened. If you want a truly sound-proof room then you'd need to build new walls around it incorporating a number of features, but if you're just trying to increase a client's comfort level in really letting loose then I think installing acoustical foam panels on the walls will make the space "feel" comfortably sound-proof to the client, and insulating the wall cavities will up it an extra level depending on how far you want to go with it. You'll want soft flooring too (carpet) and an acoustical ceiling (2x2 or 2x4 lay-in acoustical ceiling tile works well).

Also note that there is r-value insulation (the traditional stuff for preventing heating/ cooling losses) and there is acoustical insulation. They are not the same. You can use regular insulation but acoustical insulation will give better results. When installing insulation don't compress it, it works best when it's "fluffed out".

[Unique_Carpenter]

I've done studio walls before so I'm curious myself. Cause if you sound proof a room, that would also somewhat flatten the acoustical within. Thus, perhaps a conflict with adoring the sounds of those being passionately vocal.
As RIFT mentions, multiwall. Interior wall perhaps acoustical enhancement actually. Second wall is light abortion based more on support of the acoustical. Then heavy absorption. Last, actual wall. But this takes a lot of wall "depth", and is usually impractical unless there's a lot of space.
However, as RIFT also mentions, a psych approach of just a thin basic acoustical softening layer, that a client can see, may be enough for them to let you tune their vocals, even if some of the noise does go beyond the walls.

[ElisabethWhispers]

I guess that I'm not as interested in the heat, or having a completely soundproof room.

But my new "play" room is pretty close to the house next door where the people living there get into their cars in the morning, etc.

So with that one window, I don't wish to have a lot of noise.

The "idea" of soundproofing, I think, would go over well with some of my clients.

A couple of things, though. I'm hot natured as it is and the thought of making a room hold MORE heat is too much to consider.

I could cover the windows to absorb sound. Or maybe one wall?

That would probably work very well. The one outside wall and the window?

I sincerely appreciate the comments thus far. It gives me a lot to think about and consider.

Hugs to all,
Elisabeth

[Guest052616]

GREAT THREAD!! I would sooo let loose and scream. I hold back because of fear of being heard...

[ElisabethWhispers]

Originally Posted by Devon Derriere

GREAT THREAD!! I would sooo let loose and scream. I hold back because of fear of being heard...

Oh, I agree, especially during orgasm. It's such a drag to try to be really quiet or hold back.

Maybe we should ask, and segue abit, on how we can make our rooms a bit more soundproof or rather ... how we could work on one wall to help the sound not leave the house?

Am I making sense?

[Guest052616]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

Oh, I agree, especially during orgasm. It's such a drag to try to be really quiet or hold back.

Maybe we should ask, and segue abit, on how we can make our rooms a bit more soundproof or rather ... how we could work on one wall to help the sound not leave the house?

Am I making sense?

makes sense.. hope for answers. I hold my breath when i O because i dont want to scream. I always end up with a headache and light headed LOL

[James1588]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

Oh, I agree, especially during orgasm. It's such a drag to try to be really quiet or hold back.

Maybe we should ask, and segue abit, on how we can make our rooms a bit more soundproof or rather ... how we could work on one wall to help the sound not leave the house?

Am I making sense?

Of course!

Question: do you really have a sound-leaving-the-house problem, or a client perception problem? In other words, can loud vocals really be heard outdoors?

You might try an experiment. Go outside and have an assistant remain inside and get loud. I'd volunteer, but it'll be a while before I get to the Confectionary.

If sound is escaping, I'm thinking the place to start is the window. Start with a thick, absorbing window covering. Maybe inside of the normal blind or curtain, so it doesn't look unusual from outside. Even if no sound is making it outdoors, an unusual window covering might help clients feel better about things.

The exterior wall's insulation is probably adequate to prevent noticeable sound intensity levels from escaping. As Unique Carpenter pointed out, thermal insulation isn't intended as a sound absorber, and purpose-made products are undoubtedly more efficient. But some thermal insulators are also pretty good sound deadeners. Anyway, try the experiment. No need to solve a problem until you know you have one.

[Iaintliein]

Bose needs to come up with a sound canceling speaker run from a hands free microphone. . .

[*GoddessDallas*]

If you want to soundproof a room, get an architect to help you do it well.
If you want to soundproof a room, it will look like a soundproofed room.
If you want to soundproof a room with a window and do not want to cover the window, the room will not be soundproof.

[Zhivago52]

If new / conventional stud construction, start with staggered studs with the base plates gasketed and not touching. Double gyp walls, and if that's not enough, line the walls with corrugated foam attached with double sided tape. Easy enough to remove.

If adapting existing construction, add layer of gyp and add the corrugated foam on top, similar to how they do recording studios.

[Unique_Carpenter]

Several key thoughts presented above, I'll paraphrase few of them:
The window simply needs to be dealt with. And with only one exterior wall, the specifications are a lot clearer. And if you have A/C, don't worry about heat.
For the window: It has to be "blocked" entirely. A "curtain" or window blind or anything, up against the glass. From the outside it should look like a normal interior window covering. However, it's up against the glass for a reason. That leaves you two or three inches of space to the edge of the inside wall. Here is where you need foam. The easiest thing to do is measure the inside on the window frame (height and width and also depth) and find a place that will cut a piece of foam to fit. I'm sure you can find an upholstery supply store.
So now you're left with one exterior wall (with a piece of foam the surface of which is level with the surrounding wall). The issue here is how much work is needed. As James mentions, test it. But how is the issue. One person making noise is a possibility. Or, if you happen to like horror movies, plug one in and turn it up while you're inside to a level that you've heard before somewhere. Then go outside and listen. Frankly, no one can let out a good scream that can match what the special effects guys can do. Perhaps the movie "Blow Out" with Nancy Allen's ending scream. Perhaps the gal in the original King Kong movie. The site "movieclips.com" has a half minute compilation of a bunch of the best ones, including guys, that could be set on replay (link below). I think Guinness has a loudest scream at maybe 120 dcb. But I digress. You'll need at least an acoustical decorative curtain across the entire wall. This in itself will allow guests comfort to let loose. Perhaps a layer of thin foam as well behind the curtain. It's the thickness of the foam, if any, that you need to test for. For the test, place a piece of curtain material, and a piece, or two, or three, of foam in front of the sound speaker, turn on the noise and go outside and listen. Consider mounting a 1x4 across the wall at both the floor and ceiling to fasten the top and bottom of the curtains to. Or perhaps 2x4s if you'll be attaching other things. If you do need to add a lot of foam, then perhaps some thin paneling over that, and then the curtain. Note that sound is an energy wave and it is actually directional. Thus, consider furniture positions in the room so that vocals are directed towards the interior of the house.
Back to horror movies, perhaps in a casual conversation with the neighbors you might accidently mention that you're a horror movie buff. Excellent cover in case some stray noise does get out. However, they might think it's ok to stop by before Halloween to ask your opinions on that topic

Couple other thoughts but this is to long already.

http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?config=http://config.movieclips.com/player/config/embed/3xhs/%3Floc%3DUS&endpoint=http://movieclips.com/api/v1/player/test/action/&start=0&v=1.0.15