Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Best way to soundproof a stage

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-24-2005, 08:27 PM:

What is the best material to use to soundproof a stage and behind it without opening up the existing walls. It is an old theater chopped up to 3. Downstairs is split down the middle. The upstairs large balcony remains with a screen put just past the old balcony railing. A typical split. There is a lot of bleed through of sound from the upstairs theater especially from around the screen area. Now they are going to do live bands which will make for even more leakage.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 11-25-2005, 06:36 AM:

I'm having trouble visualizing the way the auditorium is split.

It sounds like you mean that the upstairs auditorium is getting sound from outside into it.

Some others may have more helpful information, but most of the splits of larger auditoriums like that I've visited had sound transmission problems. Others may know of proven solutions, but in general for isolation the standard approach is double sheetrock on each sides of a sandwich stuffed with packed insulation, sheetrock hangers etc. to isolate the rock from the framing members, & making sure there are no spots with direct, mechanical connection from one side to the next.

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-25-2005, 07:20 AM:

The upstairs theater is transmitting sound into the downstairs theaters. Is there any kind of isulation material to cover the existing walls behind the screen and next to the screen. Opening the walls up is not an option now. There may be insulation in the walls but I cant be sure.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-25-2005, 08:27 AM:

Thinking of the upstairs theatre, you already have the stage and back wall in place and it is OK. Now add another backwall behind it and another stage floor below it. Remember these don't have to support very much; just themselves. These MUST NOT TOUCH any existing wall or floor. In this way, you have created a "sound wall" like that presently in use elsewhere characterized as a "staggered stud" wall. I have done 4 or 5 of these up/down splits back in the 70'2. None leaked sound; in fact what sound there was came down the steps from opened doors. Louis

Posted by Barry Hans (Member # 477) on 11-25-2005, 10:22 AM:

To stop transmission of sound one key element is mass. Concrete block filled with sand, Lead sheets, some thing that will not allow the sound to penetrate to the other side of the wall. The double wall idea is a good method. The more dead air between the internal surfaces of the walls the better.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-25-2005, 10:34 AM:

Also ensure the demising wall behind the screen of the balcony goes right to the roof deck as the attic is a common point for sound transmission