John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

More progress pics...

Sandersd,

Just wanted to say Hi again and let you to know I'm following along on your every post.

It's inspiring to watch your progress, especially in how quickly you are getting this work done, I presume working solo?

It shows confidence in your work ability... compared to me ... I have to double think every part of my current pre construction work cause most of the time I don't know what I'm doing (cause I haven't done it before only have DIY internet directions), I have a known history of doing the same job twice and it seems every job takes at least 2 or 3 trips to hardware store.

Again the speed of your work impresses silly old me.

KEEP POSTING PICS PLEASE

Marc

Hey Marc

For the most part I'm working solo. My son helps me on occasion, like hanging the ceiling drywall and installing the beams. He's 16 but a construction worker he ain't.

I still make mistakes though. I installed the exterior wall insulation and half the drywall before I realized I had the wrong insulation - I needed kraft faced. I was using the plastic wrapped batts so I guess I didn't think about it till I went to open the second bag and the words "no vapor barrier" caught my eye. DUH

I also mismeasured the gable end sheet of drywall (the one that fits over the pipes) and had to recut it twice!

I had hoped to finish the ceiling and seal off the room but didn't get the bass traps finished. I still have to finish insulating them and install the LAN and headphone cable before I can drywall.

I'm dreading the insulation - it's overhead and when I shove it into the space the fibers fall all over me. Man is that mineral wool itchy , and I hate wearing a dust mask because everytime I exhale it fogs up my glasses and they're just hot and uncomfortable. But it has to be done.

Thanks for keeping up

This weekend's progress:

Wall adjacent to mstr bedroom ready for drywall.

Drywall around pipes - what a pain that was.

One of the bass trap cavities.

First pass tape and finish almost complete.

I started out with paper tape but with all the short joints and holes for pipes, etc, it was too much hassle, so I switched to self-adhesive fiberglass tape. What a lifesaver. I taped the whole room before I started adding joint compound. Also, some of the joints had larger gaps, so I only floated one side today and I'll do the other side later this week. You won't find a drywall crew doing it that way, but then I'm not a drywall crew and am in no hurry.

I've only installed the first of two layers of 5/8" drywall on the end wall. I taped and coated the joints instead of using acoustic caulk, but won't bother with the screws. The second layer will be laminated to the first with joint compound applied with a notched trowel. It makes a heavy, solid assembly.

I did only one end wall because I still need to cut the brick back flush with the studs. I'll need to pick up a couple more channels also.

I bought a masonry blade for my saw to cut several vertical channels in the brick. After they're cut, a tap from the side with a hammer will pop off the pieces to be removed, then I'll install the insul, channel, and drywall.

Hopefull I'll finish with the walls next weekend and can start on the floor.

Today's progress:

Laminating the second layer of drywall using joint compound and a 1/4" notched trowel.

Back bevel the outlet opening to fit over the acoustic caulk. Spread a little joint compound around the outlet so it will squeeze out when the second layer is installed and make a tight seal.

The finished wall. Note the screws are special laminating screws - they're larger and have a very course thread. After the mud dries the screws are removed and the holes filled. I'm sure I put way more than necessary but as long as I have to skim the holes, what's a few more?

Airtight outlet.

The brick after I cut it back: easy but dusty.

Good enough. I'll use a spray adhesive to attach the 3" mineral wool to the inside of the resonator chamber.

Tomorrow I'll finish skimming the walls, texture and prime. I have to buy more RC before I can finish the final wall. I'll have to do that on my off Friday next week.

I've been following your progress also, but musta missed this -

The second layer will be laminated to the first with joint compound applied with a notched trowel. It makes a heavy, solid assembly

While USG does tell you how to do this in their manual, both Rod and I had mentioned (REFERENCE section, for one) that this isn't a good way if you want maximum isolation - this makes both panels act as one, with only one, LOWER frequency coincidence - the lower you make coincidence frequency, the harder it is to stop (6 dB per octave) so it's actually better to just screw multiple layers, leaving each to its own higher freq. coincidence.

If your goal is best isolation for LF content, you may want to consider adding another layer to that wall using Green Glue; not cheap, but tests have shown that two layers of drywall with GG beats 4 layers without... Steve

Thanks for the heads up Steve, but this is more than adequate for my intended purposes. Although I would have considered it if the wall wasn't already finished - no since in giving away free isolation...

I've decided this is my last post.

Adios Marc and good luck with your studio.