VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Ed White]

I'm starting to build what I hope is a nice quiet space in my basement. This will be to record, edit (with speakers) without disturbing everyone in the house. Most of all, to keep the planes from Logan's new flight path from being my accompanist on voice tracks.

To the point, I want a window , ( to the rest of the basement, not outside) in the new space.
I have a bunch of new replacement windows, double glass, Low-E glass, etc. If I construct an opening,and install 2 double hung sashes ( just the sashes, no frame , space them with an air space, seal,caulk, and trim them out. I would have 4 sheets of glass with air in between them, and a larger air space between the 2 sashes. I don't need total isolation, but let's say around 80% to pick a number. Anyone have an opinion as to how successful this will be? Maybe a better solution?

Thanks;
Ed

[bobsouer]

Ed,

This sounds like a pretty good plan for a do-it-yourself kind of approach. A couple of things to consider:

1. Be sure that you don't have the two sets of windows exactly parallel with one another. Have one at a slight angle to the other. This will significantly improve your sound dampening. Do some on-line searches for studio windows and you'll see what I mean.

2. Professional recording studios use "sound rated" glass, which has virtually no resonance to further improve sound dampening. Regular glass will resonate at certain frequencies (dependent on the size and thickness of the glass) so you may note some odd sonic harmonics from time to time if you're just using regular glass windows.

I hope this is of some help.
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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[Ed White]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the fast reply,
I was going to angle them, but I think I was imagining both at an angle, and parallel. So you're saying not to parallel them, therefore, in this case only one sash gets angled or offset, the other is plumb with the wall.

Ed

[Hart]

Exactly. You can do some research on windows at places like johnlsayers.com or recording.org

There are two schools of thought but I agree with Bob that one pane runs vertical and one runs at an angle. Helps cut down on glare too.

You'll want to pay attention to proper fit and caulking to seal them up well. I'd probably set the glass down on some neoprene or similiar to help cut down on vibration too. Research that though. It's been a while since I've read up on window design and my memory is a bit fuzzy.
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[Ed White]

Great Info!,
Thanks

Ed

[Edo]

Be sure that you only use 'laminated glass'... bit more expensive, but a way higher STC...

[Chrissy]

Hey Ed,

Glad to see you've joined us here. Don't forget the coffee meet up we're supposed to do.

[SkinnyJohnny]

For those that don't know, Ed is a construction wiz.
Could you snap some pictures and post them for us when you're done?
Good luck Ed and thanks again for the nice package you sent Ann and I!
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[Ed White]

Hey John,
Nice to see you over here.
It's funny, I'm in Maine this week, and speaking of planes. George W. is visiting Ma and Pa Bush in Kennebunkport this weekend. When he's here there are fighter planes circling overhead 24 hours. It's about a 15 minute loop they fly, I think they said that the planes can be at Walker point within 1 minute from any place in their loop. Talk about noise! Yeah it's time to build my own space, and not take over the den any longer. I will send some photos, but don't hold your breath. Surf's Up !

Ed

PS: New Logo Looks Great!!

[SkinnyJohnny]

When I was in the Pensacola area I had the same problem with planes because the Blue Angels are based there and would practice a lot when they were in town.
Good luck with the new studio and thanks for the logo compliment!
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