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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I've searched the archives....any suggestions for reducing noise coming in through windows? I record in a closet with the door closed of course, but being near a street corner, the occasional Harley rumble bleeds into my recordings...... Heavy-duty curtains? Moving blankets?

The closet door is about three feet from the windows. Should I maybe
try soundproofing the outside of the closet door as well?

Just trying to get prepared for a potentially busy spring Smile

which will inevitably include more outside traffic noise, etc. Rolls Eyes

Thanks!

Hart · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:07 am Post subject:

I'm going to assume permanently removing the window isn't an option. That would be the best bet. The problem you've got is that if air can get through then so can sound. But hanging heavy curtains or moving blankets will most likely help some.

I saw a photo once where someone had built a wooden box that fit tightly into the window opening making the wall look like it didn't have a window - more or less. It was filled with rockwool or something similiar. They claimed it worked great. I believe if you made something like that out of 3/4 mdf it would probably work pretty well too.
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imaginator · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject:

an engineer friend advised me to build some panels i could force snugly into my windowfram when i was recording. i found it less hassle to build a mic booth in the room. given how much clutter there is in front of every window, it was the right choice for my situation.
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TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject:

Rob,
I used Magnetite to build an interior storm window to reduce my noise. Their website is HERE

What I did was buy their kit for the window I wanted, then ordered a sheet of Lexan to the size. Snaps in there easy, greatly reduced the sound transmission through the window, and is easy to remove when needed.

I also put some window tint on that window. Helped keep the room cool during the summer.
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Jon Morss · Guest

I added a couple panels of Ownes Corning Foamular 250 to the inside of the window and they seem to cut down on the noise quite a bit.
http://www.owenscorning.com/around/insulation/products/foamular.asp

I just put them in and out as needed.

You can get an 8'x2' sheet at Home Depot for about $14 a sheet.

CarynClark · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

I just want to say, wow, this is a great thread with many great ideas!!!! I'm anticipating that in the next six months, our neighbors will be knocking down the house next door and rebuilding a nice great big new house... and I've been a little concerned about what I'm going to do with construction noise, etc. These are really fabby ideas!!!
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Yeah, I appreciate everybody's suggestions....I'm confident that at least one of these ideas will help to reduce street noise that's bleeding into my recordings!

ccpetersen · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

I was thinking that you should be able to come up with a "double window" solution somehow; think about studios and how they have a double window in the booth looking out to the control room...
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TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

What made me go with the Magnetite was the storm windows that I grew up with. We had casement windows from the 40's in the house I grew up in, and in the winter we had these huge panes with wooden frames that we slid into place to create a double pane window basically. The Magnetite is the same thing except brought up to date and easier to deal with.

Caryn,
You might have a bigger problem with low frequency sound and vibration with heavy equipment. That' tougher to isolate since it can often travel right through the ground and into your foundation. Hopefully that won't be a long term problem.
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melissa eX · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Caryn

My neighbors did just that - I ended up doing all of my work overnight and on Sundays. There was no other way.

They all sound like good solutions - but I think you'll have to live with the occasional harley - I don't think anything will drown out those pipes..

m

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

I agree that there is very little you can do to eliminate low frequency noise from constructions, open pipes on bikes, and booming stereos. Studios float the walls, floors, and ceilings to deal with this problem, at a very significant cost. I found what is claimed to be an improvement of the Magnetite window design here: http://www.soundproofing.org/sales/magnetseal_windows.htm
No real measurements or ratings are given showing the true noise reduction, but based on the design, I can say they would be quite effective for most noise issues.
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

George,

Lots of great information on that site. Thanks for posting that link.
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TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:06 am Post subject:

George,
I do like the information that site provides. Very interesting.

I've been contemplating an upgrade to all of our windows in our house, so that might constitute a change in my Magnetite setup. I'm going to try and balance good sound reduction with not breaking the bank on new windows.
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

i did something similar to the magnetic strip in my old studio - but i used velcro - it worked pretty well.
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georgethetech · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

Velcro could work, but the magnet system is far superior in its ability to create an airtight seal, and it would be easier to remove the panel when needed. I'd likely add a small handle to the panel near one edge to make removal even easier.
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