Practice “box”?

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-02 7:47 a.m.

Has anybody here ever built a soundproof box to practice in, like Lindberg talks about using when he was younger?

Any tips on materials or construction? I was thinking drywall-Sonopan-resilient channel-rockwool for the walls and ceiling, not totally sure what to do for the floor though.

Thanks!

Kdanielsen · by **Kdanielsen** » 2024-09-02 8:20 a.m.

I built one and practice in one. If you go for the idea of “sound reduction” rather than sound proof you’ll be much happier. Also consider ventilation. Mine has AC. Can’t write more right now but I’ll try to circle back later.

flotrb · by **flotrb** » 2024-09-02 8:36 a.m.

Back in the "Jingle Days" of the early '70's, we used cardboard egg trays for the walls, heavy rugs on the floors, and foam panels covered with burlap for the baffles.

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-02 9:37 a.m.

[quote="Kdanielsen"]I built one and practice in one. If you go for the idea of “sound reduction” rather than sound proof you’ll be much happier. Also consider ventilation. Mine has AC. Can’t write more right now but I’ll try to circle back later.[/quote]

Would love to hear more about it if you have the chance! Do you have baffles in the ventilation?

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-02 9:52 a.m.

[quote="flotrb"]Back in the "Jingle Days" of the early '70's, we used cardboard egg trays for the walls, heavy rugs on the floors, and foam panels covered with burlap for the baffles.[/quote]

Not sure I could get away with that one!

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2024-09-02 10:11 a.m.

I practice in my home theater. It's fairly soundproof, but is acoustically balanced and does not sound "dead" inside. I think my spouse and neighbors are thankful I practice in a soundproof room. :D

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-02 10:42 a.m.

[quote="tbdana"]I practice in my home theater. It's fairly soundproof, but is acoustically balanced and does not sound "dead" inside. I think my spouse and neighbors are thankful I practice in a soundproof room. :D[/quote]

That sure sounds nice! Do you happen to know what kind of materials or techniques were used to build the home theatre?

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2024-09-02 10:54 a.m.

[quote="RossM"]<QUOTE author="tbdana" post_id="252254" time="1725286267" user_id="16498">
I practice in my home theater. It's fairly soundproof, but is acoustically balanced and does not sound "dead" inside. I think my spouse and neighbors are thankful I practice in a soundproof room. :D[/quote]

That sure sounds nice! Do you happen to know what kind of materials or techniques were used to build the home theatre?
</QUOTE>

We converted a basement. It was acoustically terrible, as it had walls of concrete and wood, and a hard floor. It was mostly soundproof already. We just put baffles and insulation in the ceiling to finish that part of it. And then we built bass traps, diffusers and sound absorption panels, installed moving theater curtains, and put rugs on the floor, in a series of calibrations to get it accoustically right.

<ATTACHMENT filename="home theater.jpg" index="0">~~[attachment=0]~~home theater.jpg</ATTACHMENT>

It was built for movies, not for practicing, but it turns out to be a good space to practice and play.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2024-09-02 11:29 a.m.

Just don't empty your slides on that nice Persian carpet. :)

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-02 12:06 p.m.

[quote="tbdana"]<QUOTE author="RossM" post_id="252257" time="1725288167" user_id="14843">

That sure sounds nice! Do you happen to know what kind of materials or techniques were used to build the home theatre?[/quote]

We converted a basement. It was acoustically terrible, as it had walls of concrete and wood, and a hard floor. It was mostly soundproof already. We just put baffles and insulation in the ceiling to finish that part of it. And then we built bass traps, diffusers and sound absorption panels, installed moving theater curtains, and put rugs on the floor, in a series of calibrations to get it accoustically right.

home theater.jpg

It was built for movies, not for practicing, but it turns out to be a good space to practice and play.
</QUOTE>

Thanks for the info!

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2024-09-03 3:51 p.m.

Has anyone gotten a quote from any of the practice room vendors? I just reached out to Wenger to see what I’d be looking at. They claim to be cheaper than building yourself which would surprise me. I worked at a resort that had a few Wenger rooms and thought they were pretty good. If I’m allowed to post pricing I’ll indicate when I hear back.

Oslide · by **Oslide** » 2024-09-03 5:39 p.m.

Perhaps see also

Help design my practice room!

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=242915">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=242915</LINK_TEXT>

Advice for Sound proofing room

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=213962">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=213962</LINK_TEXT>

Insulating a practice room

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=182221">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=182221</LINK_TEXT>

Practice Room Size

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=107973">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=107973</LINK_TEXT>

Good luck!

timothy42b · by **timothy42b** » 2024-09-03 5:58 p.m.

[quote="Matt K"]Has anyone gotten a quote from any of the practice room vendors? I just reached out to Wenger to see what I’d be looking at. They claim to be cheaper than building yourself which would surprise me. I worked at a resort that had a few Wenger rooms and thought they were pretty good. If I’m allowed to post pricing I’ll indicate when I hear back.[/quote]

They are pretty good. Military bands buy a lot of them, or at least they used to (I've retired, and the number of bands has been reduced.)

RossM · by **RossM** » 2024-09-03 6:32 p.m.

[quote="Oslide"]Perhaps see also

Help design my practice room!

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=242915">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=242915</LINK_TEXT>

Advice for Sound proofing room

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=213962">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=213962</LINK_TEXT>

Insulating a practice room

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=182221">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=182221</LINK_TEXT>

Practice Room Size

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?p=107973">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?p=107973</LINK_TEXT>

Good luck![/quote]

Thanks for these! Missed a couple in the search I guess!

timothy42b · by **timothy42b** » 2024-09-04 7:40 a.m.

Summarizing:

To keep the sound from leaving the room, reflect it with something rigid.

To reduce the sound in the room, absorb it with something soft.

And of course avoid parallel walls.

ghmerrill · by **ghmerrill** » 2024-09-04 8:26 a.m.

Gotcha. Line the room with something that is both rigid and soft -- or else alternate rigid with soft lining in the room. And build a pentagonal room -- or else one with sloped walls.

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