Vibration damping – reduces vibrations in studios and studio environments
More stable working conditions and reduced structure-borne noise in studios and studio environments
In studios and studio environments, disturbances occur that are not always immediately audible, but which are felt or experienced as dull noise, shaking, or recurring vibrations. These disturbances are often caused by mechanical equipment, installations, or movements that cause the building's structure to vibrate. The vibrations can spread through floors, walls, and ceilings, creating structure-borne noise that affects recording, concentration, and working comfort. Vibration damping is the measure used to reduce this mechanical transmission and create a more stable and controlled studio environment.
What is vibration damping?
Vibration damping involves limiting how mechanical movements and vibrations are transmitted from a source to the building's structure. Unlike sound insulation, which stops airborne sound between rooms, and sound absorption, which reduces echo and reverberation in the room, vibration damping focuses on reducing the actual movement in the structure. The measure is directed at contact points where vibrations are transmitted, for example between machines and floors or between installations and walls or ceilings.
Common problems with vibrations in studio environments
In studios and studio environments, vibrations are often experienced as low-frequency humming, recurring shaking, or subtle resonances that affect both equipment and people. Common sources are machines, technical equipment, speakers, amplifiers, ventilation systems, or other permanently mounted installations. In larger studios, such as film and television studios or dance studios, movement and load on the floor can also contribute to vibrations that spread throughout the building.
How do vibrations spread in studios and studio environments?
When a machine or installation vibrates, the movement is transferred directly to the floor and conducted through fixed building components. Floors often act as an effective transmission path, while walls and ceilings can transmit vibrations to adjacent rooms. This means that the disturbance is not always experienced where the source is located, but in other parts of the studio environment. Since vibrations spread effectively in solid materials, specific measures are required to break this mechanical transmission.
Vibration damping in different parts of the studio
In studios and studio environments, vibration damping is mainly used on floors, machines, and equipment, as well as on walls and ceilings where installations are attached. Floors are a common transmission surface for vibrations from equipment and movements, while walls and ceilings can act as transmitting structures. By adapting the vibration damping to where the disturbance occurs, structure-borne noise can be reduced more effectively.
Why choose vibration damping in studios and studio environments?
Vibration damping contributes to a more stable and predictable studio environment by reducing low-frequency disturbances and unwanted movements in the structure. This measure is particularly important when problems persist despite sound insulation or sound absorption. In many studios, vibration damping is combined with other acoustic measures to create a comprehensive solution that supports both technical precision and working comfort.
Well-considered advice for best results
For best results, it is important to identify where the vibrations occur and how they spread in the studio environment. A common mistake is to focus on the room where the disturbance is noticeable, even though the source is often found in equipment or installations in another part of the building. By dampening vibrations at the source and at critical contact points, structure-borne noise can be reduced in a more effective and long-term way.
Vibration damping is therefore a key measure for reducing disruptive vibrations and structure-borne noise and creating a stable, professional, and comfortable studio and studio environment.