One of the biggest challenges for musicians and sound recorders is finding the space to rent out your own recording studio. But the monthly rent may not be financially viable, and if it is, it may take a toll on your finances in the future. The next best thing then is a DIY soundproof booth at home.
For many people, this is the simpler, more convenient option. Not only will this help you cut down on costs, but lets you work from the comfort of your own home.
It may surprise you that building a soundproof booth at home does not require too much effort, money, or even space. If you have limited space, you can still build a small soundproof booth for personal use.
All you need to do is ensure that the sound insulation is properly done, so the amount of sound entering and leaving the room is lowered. With a soundproof booth, you’ll also eliminate echoes which will improve the sound quality.
You may be wondering how to go about building a soundproof booth. Below, you’ll find my step-to-step guide to building a soundproof booth in your home.
What you will need
Although building a soundproof booth at home is a lot cheaper than renting out a recording studio, you will still need to invest in some materials and tools to make it possible.
To build an entirely soundproof booth you’ll need:
- A door
- A drilling machine
- A screwdriver
- A sealant
- Sheets of drywall
- A wooden frame
Once you’ve assembled all your tools, you can get to work.
Find a Suitable Place
This may be the hardest step, as you will have to select an area of your house that is rarely used or is only ever used by yourself to avoid any inconvenience. It also has to be big enough that you have space to move around and don’t feel cramped while working.
Most people select the basement, garage, or attic for their home soundproof booths.
Depending on the space that you have, draw up a plan and figure out the ideal measurements for your booth.
Frame the Walls
Most doors in modern homes are usually hollow on the inside. You can check if the door for your desired room is hollow by knocking on it.
If it’s hard and solid like your front door, then you have a solid door. But if it feels like a piece of thick cardboard, it’s most likely hollow on the inside. The door and the walls are two of the most important parts of your home soundproof booth. You’ll want to pay particular attention to these two elements.
For the walls, I recommend getting a sound-absorbing blanket to make the room soundproof. In particular, I recommend this sound-absorbing blanket from Amazon.
Fix the Door
With the wall frames sorted, let’s move on to the doors. Ready-made doors are fairly easy to find, and when shopping for a door to use in your booth it’s best to go for a solid door. While they can be a bit costly, they are effective when it comes to soundproofing.
But if you are on a limited budget, a normal hollow door will also work. You can then use a soundproof blanket or a door draft stopper to make it soundproof.
Make sure that the pins and knobs are well screwed so they don’t fall apart, and so you can achieve the most effective soundproof booth.
Add the Soundproofing Material
It can be hard to know what soundproofing material you should use in your booth, as there are many options to choose from.
However, I’m going to narrow it down to the two most popular options: drywall and acoustic foam.
Drywall is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate pressed between a facer and a backer. It’s very effective for soundproofing and can be purchased easily from hardware stores.
If you decide to use drywall, you will need to attach it to the outer frame as well as the interior booth. You will need to make sure it is well attached with no spaces, and I recommend using some screws for extra peace of mind.
While you may need some help to put up the drywall, it’s definitely worth the effort and investment.
However, another option for soundproofing your booth is acoustic foam panels that are made of soundproof materials.
Acoustic foam panels were actually designed for recording studios and booths and will work great for your soundproof booth at home.
Acoustic foam panels come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing between acoustic foam and drywall is a tough decision.
It’s worth keeping in mind that due to their wide variety, acoustic panels have different capabilities and structures. It’s recommended to do your homework on acoustic panels and see what you can get for your budget.
If you want to get creative with your booth, the acoustic panels may be a better option than the drywall, as you can set the panels in different patterns. You can even choose from different colors and designs!
Just like the drywall, you will need to make sure that the panels are well-placed and secure.
Drill Some Holes
If you’re going to use your booth for recording, then it’s important to drill some holes on the frame. You will be able to install the signal cables through these holes, as well as any other cables you need.
Seal All The Gaps
Even the smallest gaps and holes can be a problem when it comes to transmitting sound.
Once everything is set, go through the booth and make sure that all the holes and gaps are sealed. You can do this by using silicone caulk.
Install Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a great material for soundproofing doors. Even once all the gaps are sealed, the door may still let air and some sound in and out of the booth.
Weatherstripping gets rid of this problem. Install the weatherstripping around the door frame, and you can still use silicone caulk to seal any other gaps.
