Soundproofing of machines and equipment in studios and recording studios
Reduce disruptive noise from technical equipment in studios
In studios and recording facilities, machines and technical equipment are often a source of recurring disturbances that affect both working conditions and sound quality. Fans, ventilation solutions, cooling units, computers, servers, compressors, and other equipment can generate noise that spreads to recording rooms, control rooms, or adjacent studio environments. Unlike echo and reverberation, which are handled with sound absorption, sound insulation of machines and equipment is about stopping sound propagation between rooms and limiting how noise propagates in the building's structure.
What is meant by machines and equipment in a studio environment?
In studios, this refers to technical equipment that is not a passive part of the building but generates sound during operation. This can include ventilation units, cooling and heating units, servers, computers, network equipment, pumps, fans, or other mechanical equipment needed for the business. These sound sources are often active for long periods of time and can affect several rooms at once. Sound insulation in this context aims to limit how sound spreads, not to change the room's acoustics.
Common sources of noise in studios and recording studios
In studio environments, noise is often perceived as constant background noise or low-frequency sound that interferes with recordings and concentration. Ventilation and cooling systems are common sources, as are computers, rack-mounted equipment, and technical rooms located near recording or work areas.
Even machines that are not in continuous use, such as pumps or compressors, can cause disturbances when they start and stop. Because these sounds are often transmitted through walls, floors, and ceilings, they can be more noticeable in rooms other than where the equipment is located.
Why does sound from machines spread so effectively?
Machines generate both airborne sound and vibrations that are transmitted through the building's structure. When vibrations travel through floors, walls, ceilings, or installations, structure-borne noise is created, which means that the sound can be heard far from the source. In studios and recording studios, this is particularly problematic because even faint background noise can negatively affect recording, mixing, and listening.
Principles of sound insulation for machines and equipment
Effective sound insulation of machines and equipment is based on limiting the spread of sound at the source. By reducing the direct connection between equipment and the building frame, sound transmission can be reduced. Enclosure or shielding is used to stop airborne sound, while vibration damping is often combined with sound insulation to reduce structure-borne noise. The goal is to prevent noise from reaching other parts of the studio environment.
Well-thought-out advice for best results
For best results, each machine in the studio and studios should be assessed based on how it is used, where it is located, and how sound spreads throughout the building. A common mistake is to focus solely on the room where the equipment is located, even though the disturbance is often experienced in adjacent spaces. By identifying both the sound source and the paths of propagation, the right insulation principles can be used and adapted to the studio's needs.
Sound insulation of machines and equipment is therefore an important measure to stop disturbing noise between rooms and create better conditions for undisturbed work in studios and studio facilities.