Soundproofing and Noise Control Information

In looking for the right soundproofing and noise control products, it’s easy to become overwhelmed very quickly. 

From acoustic blankets to diffusers, barriers and bass traps, finding the right combination or even knowing what each product does can be a daunting task.  That’s why we would like to explain.

We’ll start with indoor noise reduction products this week and finish with outdoor products next week.

Echoes can range from annoying to crippling. 

Without proper sound control, their effect can be as minimal as making it difficult to hear a co-worker in a meeting, or as serious as ruining a perfectly rehearsed theater production or chorus performance.    

Churches, cafeterias, industrial facilities, auditoriums, classrooms, you name it, no room is safe from echoes.

Flat, parallel surfaces are the culprit when it comes to echoes.  They are created when two opposing reflective surfaces (walls or ceiling/floor) bounce sound waves back and forth, producing a distinct repetition of the original sound.

When ridding a room of echoes, it’s very important to remember what causes them, parallel surfaces.  These surfaces can be treated with sound absorption or sound diffusion.

Sound absorption techniques include using materials such as foam or wall panels on the walls, and/or ceiling tiles, baffles or banners on the ceiling.  These products absorb the sound before it is reflected.

NOTE: In a room with four parallel walls, treating two walls will only work if the two are adjoining.  Remember that treating walls opposite each other still leaves two parallel walls untreated.

Sound diffusion uses multi-faceted, slotted or curved materials that are reflective in nature and are designed to scatter or redirect sound waves.  Sending these sound waves in different directions eliminates the possibility for repetitive reflections (echo).

A perfect example of sound diffusion and echoes can be seen at http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/523~barrell-diffusers (click 'Before/After Video' on right side of screen).  In this example, a chorus room already had sound absorption treatment, and to add more of the same treatment would have made the room sound too dead during performances.  The answer was to install barrel diffusers.

This New York Times article is quite interesting; it discusses a new problem that has surfaced with hybrid and electric cars.

A study has found that blind people are more likely to be hit by the new cars because the cars don’t make enough noise.  One solution has been to give these quiet cars artificial or generated sounds similar to what are heard in other cars.

There is even pending legislation that would require quieter cars to have artificial noisemakers.

The other side of this issue is that these artificial noises aren’t necessary and are adding to noise pollution.

People on this side of the issue point to loud trucks and motorcycles as the culprits and say the louder vehicles are covering up the sound of the quieter vehicles.  Therefore, noise should be reduced in loud vehicles rather than increased in quiet vehicles.

Acoustical Solutions is a big supporter of organizations that fight noise pollution, but the company definitely doesn’t want to see blind people being hit by cars.  So what do you think?

Let us know on this blog, on Facebook or on Twitter.

It’s hard to disagree with the fact that generators and chillers, from portable to industrial, are often far too loud.

Whether generator noise is overtaking a nearby residential space, disturbing business operations or violating noise ordinances, it is in everyone’s best interest to take control of the noise pollution these machines are creating.

Their noise originates in everything from engines and cooling fans to turbulent air-intakes and overall mechanical sounds. 

This variety of sources makes the sound difficult to control, but there are actually many products available that significantly reduce unwanted, troublesome and illegal generator and chiller noise.

A common and understandable misconception about soundproofing is that it involves sound barriers AND sound absorbers.

In actuality, soundproofing only involves sound barriers, which block sound from entering or leaving a space.  Sound absorbers on the other hand, absorb the sound within a space, but do not block noise from transferring to other rooms.

So then, what is an aspiring “soundproofer,” to do about his or her sound problem?  Block or absorb?

We’re glad you asked.

When deciding between absorbers or barriers it is important to start by identifying the problem.  Is there an echo in the room and speech is unintelligible?  Or is unwanted noise escaping and/or entering the room?  Perhaps it’s both.

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