DIY ISO box

[drew_drummer]

Currently when I record at home, I either use impulses and software amps, or a real amp and cab with a few thick blankets thrown over it to keep the noise down.

Something I'm thinking about is getting a wardrobe, lining the inside with acoustic insulation, and creating a DIY ISO box.

I'm thinking if I can find one that's two door, has a solid back panel, and is big enough to cover the thickness of the acoustic foam and the microphone... I should be able to get it done.

Anyone done a similar thing?

 

[narcossintese]

Use fiberglass instead of acoustic foam!

 

[John_C]

Use fiberglass instead of acoustic foam!

+1

http://www.studiospares.com/Sound-Insulation/Rockwool-RW3-X-8-1-Pack-Per-Consignmt/invt/401982

 

[drew_drummer]

Awesome! Cheers lads.

I've just gotta find a wardrobe that is cheap enough and big enough. Do you reckon I should double up on the insulation; ie... two sheets fixed to the inside of each of the panels??

 

[John_C]

If this is just for guitar amps (i.e. don't need to worry about much under 80Hz) then go for 50mm rockwool, 50mm air, 50mm rockwool, 50mm air, where possible. Otherwise just as thick rockwool as possible. That should help cut out a lot of the noise without impinging *massively* on the space

 

[drew_drummer]

Oh right. So I should leave 50mm between the two sheets of rockwool? How necessary is that ultimately? My cab is 80cm wide, and finding a wardrobe that is big enough to accomodate the 100cm required is proving a bit tricky.

Also... How do I fix the stuff to wood?? Can I nail it in place, or do I have to glue it?

 

[John_C]

Oh right. So I should leave 50mm between the two sheets of rockwool? How necessary is that ultimately? My cab is 80cm wide, and finding a wardrobe that is big enough to accomodate the 100cm required is proving a bit tricky.

Also... How do I fix the stuff to wood?? Can I nail it in place, or do I have to glue it?

air gaps can greatly help sound absorption, but aren't strictly necessary. I'd say the simplest solution is just shove as much in as you can fit. The idea of a gap is that (very roughly) 5cm of rockwool positioned 5cm from a wall is almost as good (in the 100-300hz range) as having 10cm of rockwool flush to the wall. At higher frequencies, once your got past 5cm you've absorbed pretty much everything, under 100hz you start to need serious thickness.