C*******

<<<<<<<Only problem is it needs a bit of soundproofing as it backs on to the neighbours?>>>>>

A 'bit'????????

First, it is impossible to completely soundproof a room to avoid sound going through the walls.  The only way is to construct a 'room within a room' which is suspended from each corner by massive rubber bands /Springs .  That is how the job is done professionally.  Then each door is a double door, like an air-lock.

You will find excellent info in the article I wrote at www.makehits.com/art019.htm .  This includes the trick of putting a second floor down with a layer of rubber balls underneath [cut in half].  It also talks of the soundboard idea.  This is basically very cheap fibreboard about half inch thick [quite old fashioned but still available].  It is a light tan colour that flakes away in your hand when you scratch it with your nail.

For soundproofing a wall it is essential to use the heaviest material possible.  So underfloor felt is much better than foam...understand?  A second wall constructed against the existing partition wall with your neighbour but not touching it would do a lot of good.  Particularly if you use the method I give in the article.  You could arrange the second wall so it did not touch the existing wall [thus avoiding bass frequencies passing directly through the wooden structure of the wall which would otherwise be fixed to the dividing wall].  Infilling between the vertical 4"X2" timbers with underfloor felt would work wonders [up to 4" of it].  Remember it is the weight of the soundproofing that matters.

C********, at the end of the day it is best to remember not to annoy your neighbour in the first place.

Bring him round a bottle of Scotch and some flowers for his wife/partner and tell him that you are in the music business.  Tell him you are very aware of the noise that you may make A VERY ODD TIME when mixing.  Make sure you tell him the lengths you have gone to to soundproof ... Invite him round to show him. Tell him the money it cost and that you would welcome a call if he ever hears uncomfortable noise.  Also tell him that you always abide by a 10pm curfew.  No music after 10pm.  EVER!!!!!!

Remember:

 1)  There is never any good music made after 10pm!    Fact!

 2)  The best professional mixes are first thing in the morning.

 3)  There is never a good mix made with overly loud levels of sound [your ears simply close down]

It is just as easy to work with earphones as with monitor speakers [I prefer mixing on Industry Standard Beyer DT100 earphones and checking the mix on NS10's, KEFCorelli HI Fi speakers and Nightfire main studio monitors.]

I use lightweight high quality professional Sennheiser earphones for all recording and programming other than open mic. work [then DT100's are essential]

Although my studio is mightily soundproofed it is impossible to stop the bottom end travelling through the fabric of the entire building [and it is big!].

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.co.uk

'Makehits Demo Consultation Service' the Industry Standard critique service used by the industry to tell will a project make money...Dec at his best! A full CD of Dec's comments plus a 17 page critique and a copyright certificate.  Check out http://www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm or call UK 01323.728005 [+44.1323.728005]

Regards

Dec 

You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own publications...we simply require you to add:

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'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey. Dec's advice?

Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com

web: www.makehits.com or call +44 (0)1323.728005

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