John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

What are the most effective budget materials for sound Isolation? Like for example, I see that aularex sheetblock is about $330 for 120 square feet. Thats way more then I want to spend on an extra dampening layer. (I would have to buy alot of it)

Are there cheaper ways to get good Isolation results?


I found a cheap foam absorber site called foambymail.com . This stuff looks Identical to the aularex stuff but is cheaper and maybe a little less efficiant. I wonder if its not the exact same stuff though. Anyone buy from these guys yet? If so how are the results?

Thanks.

Mongoo, if you do a search on "vinyl", or MLV, it should become obvious what most people's opinion of this is - there are places where the expense might justify it, but they are few. It's nearly impossible to beat plain old gypsum wallboard - my local (west coast) cost runs around $6.70 a sheet recently for 5/8 4x8 panels, compare that to MDF, OSB, plywood, "sound board", and there is NO CONTEST. Mass is mass, and mass kicks ass.

Auralex' foam products are typically higher density than most of the "knockoff's" I've seen, and generally safer - some of the "wannabe's" don't even mention fire ratings. Even Auralex's aren't as safe as non-foam products, and generally it's cheaper and better to build your own absorbers out of rockwool, mineral wool, rigid fiberglass, etc -

It still sounds to me like you need to spend more time in the REFERENCE section; all these questions have been discussed in some depth. I know it's not as organized as I'd like it to be, but I only have a limited amount of time for "freebies", and I generally tend to exceed it 'way too much... Steve

I realize this is an old thread, but I just realized it mentioned "Foam By Mail" and I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't link to the "Foam By Mail is a rip-off" thread on StudioTips.

Wanted to add additional warning for those seeking foam alternatives from FoamByMail. Recently received Corner Cubes and LENRDs as a gift and encountered the following problems:

1) The pieces came scrunched together in a huge wad wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. Foam expanded back to shape but there were tears in the cubes.
2) Air bubble holes from poor manufacturing process made two of the LENRDs unusable in a pro environment.
3) Sizes of all pieces came in different measurements from those stated and each was different from one another, ie. neither the size of the cubes nor LENRDs matched one another.

If you absolutely have to go "on the cheap" probably better than nothing, but if you can save up your money wait and buy the Auralex products.