5 Ways to Soundproof Your Room on the Cheap

#5 – Room Layout

Room Layout
Room Layout

It may sound cliché, but many people don’t take into account the fact that the way your furniture is positioned can have a big impact on the way sound travels around the room. If you have thinly insulated walls and doors – try moving a couch or pushing a bookcase up against them. This will naturally dampen the reverberations and prevent the sound from bouncing around so much.

#4 – Rugs and Carpets

Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and Carpets

One of the most popular and inexpensive methods for soundproofing a room is to cover walls with thick rugs, blankets, or anything else with a few heavy layers of material. The other way sound can easily escape is through your floorboards. Particularly if you have neighbors living underneath, their footsteps and late night TV sessions can become a common annoyance. Laying a carpet will help with that, while keeping your studio cozy and warm during those bitter, winter months!

#3 – Thermal Curtains

Thermal Curtains
Thermal Curtains

Rugs and blankets are fantastic insulators for walls and doors. The problem is, windows are a lot harder to work with because so much sound escapes through the seals. If this is the kind of problem you’re having with your own studio, consider investing in some long, heavy duty blackout curtains. These are not only great insulators of heat, but the thick layers absorb a lot of extra sound too.

#2 – Seal the Gaps

Seal the Gaps
Seal the Gaps

If you’re still experiencing a lot of leakage through your doors and windows, another cheap and viable option is to invest in some weather-stripping or sealant tape. Doors don’t always sit properly in their frames, especially if it’s an old house. Simply reinforcing the gaps with sealant can reduce noise traffic, and if you want to go a step further – try one of those sausage-shaped draft blockers!

#1 – Acoustic Panels 

Acoustic Panels
Acoustic Panels

Hanging panels filled with insulated material like acoustic foam or mineral wool are proven soundproof techniques. The downside is this can be a costly investment. And many argue that you may as well purchase soundproof tiles if convenience and time is a bigger priority. Nonetheless, if you want to put your DIY skills to good use, there’s some great step-by-step YouTube tutorials that talk you through how to do it!


Myth vs Fact: Do egg cartons make good soundproof material?

You’ve probably heard this theory from fellow musicians and producers, particularly if you’ve been discussing free methods for soundproofing a room. The truth is, egg cartons are reasonably good for reducing echo and changing the reflections of frequencies, but they’re also made of very lightweight and permeable material. This means they cannot absorb sound waves or stop sound from passing through completely. However, if you’re not too bothered about your cholesterol levels, we’d still say they’re worth trying out as the air gaps inside them act as a decent insulating agent. But they definitely won’t fix the whole problem.

Bottom Line

Soundproofing your studio doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Although proper panels are ultimately the best solution for resolving unwanted noise and disturbances, some of the above methods should make a significant difference if you can’t afford to splash out on the real deal. If you know any other foolproof, soundproof methods for doing up your music cave – be sure to let us know in the comments!

 

F.A.Q.

Do egg cartons make good soundproof material?

You’ve probably heard this theory from fellow musicians and producers, particularly if you’ve been discussing free methods for soundproofing a room. The truth is, egg cartons are reasonably good for reducing echo and changing the reflections of frequencies, but they’re also made of very lightweight and permeable material. This means they cannot absorb sound waves or stop sound from passing through completely. However, if you’re not too bothered about your cholesterol levels, we’d still say they’re worth trying out as the air gaps inside them act as a decent insulating agent. But they definitely won’t fix the whole problem.

 

 

Different types of DJ equipment

DJ Headphoes

You can’t DJ properly if you can’t hear what you’re doing or gauge what the audience is hearing. This is why a top-class pair of headphones is essential in any DJ setup. There are hundreds of great headphones on the market, but what you need to factor in when buying is whether they will be in-ear or over-ear, the cup size, orientation, comfort, and durability, among other things.

Different types of DJ equipment

speakers

 If you haven’t got some already and need to add speakers to your shopping list, you’ll want to avoid cheap brands and opt for some which are powerful but suitable for your DJing environment. You wouldn’t go out and buy a huge PA system if you live in a cupboard under the stairs, and you wouldn’t invest in some tiny desk speakers if you are mixing in a large room with thick walls and high ceilings. A set of speakers that fit somewhere in the middle is best.

Different types of DJ equipment

DJ Software

If you’re looking to play solely digital, you’re going to want to invest in some good software. Some DJs who play from USB still do not use software, but the truth is, it can seriously help you stay organized. Software not only allows you to prepare your tracks into neat and tidy playlists, but it also detects the BPM and key of all your tunes, lets you set hot cues, make loops, mashups, and other really cool stuff that wouldn’t be possible if you simply stuck all your tunes on a USB stick or burned them to CD. If you’re just starting out as a DJ, there’s no question that using a high-quality software program will make mixing easier and your sets sound better.

Different types of DJ equipment

Controllers

 DJ controllers are highly convenient because they are an all-in-one setup that you can carry around with you, then plug in and play right off the bat. They also eliminate the need to spend thousands on individual pieces of gear. There are many different types of DJ controllers that are ideal for beginners, each with different functions, personalities, and more. Some are fantastic for multi-deck mixing, changing the volume, tempo, track settings, looping, panning, playing drum pads, and even scratching.

Different types of DJ equipment

mixers

For any analog DJ setup, a mixer is an essential bit of kit. Besides being used to make seamless transitions from one song to another, they also have a wide range of other functions. The crossfader can be used to make epic scratch performances, while the vertical sliders control the volume levels, panning, and can be used in conjunction with effects. They also act as a soundcard to process the music signal you’re sending out to your audience, and let you cue up your next track in your headphones while the current song is playing.

Different types of DJ equipment

Turntables

As mentioned, mixing on turntables is the classic way of DJing, and even some digital DJs still have a vinyl player or two in their repertoire. Turntables are ideal for those who want to get into scratching. They also allow you to switch between songs and albums, slow down tempos, alter the pitch, and do other creative tricks. While laptops and digital DJ setups are the most popular in this day in age, we still recommend learning how to mix on vinyl, even if you don’t plan to buy turntables or use them in your setup. The saying is true – if you can play on wax, you can play on anything.