What's the best way to soundproof my windows permanently?

[Rickddd]

This is probably going to be laughed out by some, but one solution to removing noise *from vocals* is a plug in like ClarityVx from waves.  I mean, it does some amazing things cleaning up sounds like mechanical noise (fans, etc). Its about $30 and it works like magic.  You might want to look into ClarityVx pro, which allows you apply noise reduction to various areas along the audio spectrum. I don't have the pro model but the $29 version works well.  Might be worth looking into. Maybe not a perfect solution, but one that might make some failed recordings usable.

There are other sound cleaners out there, I am just familiar with the one.

Rick

[T Boog]

5 hours ago, msmcleod said:

but then you've essentially got walls 7' thick!  That's a LOT of space to use up.

Fortunately, it's only 2 sides i need to quiet down. And its mostly the 2 window areas. The brick, insulation, & double paneling seems to cut the noise pretty well.

Also, I honestly wouldnt mind if the window areas protrude in a couple inches like a bass trap type look. As long as I can block most of the outside noise.

As far as room shape for mixing & proper acoustics, I dont care. Im always on headphones for mixing and when I record acoustic guitar & vocals, I'm content with just a dead sounding room. Which it already pretty much is.

Luckily, room acoustics have never been an issue for me. I make up for it with my angelic voice and stellar guitar playing. The only problem I have is when people get distracted by my breathtaking good looks and don't realize that my musical talent is equally phenomenal.  😁

[DeeringAmps]

26 minutes ago, T Boog said:

people get distracted by my breathtaking good looks

Looking like Michaelangelo’s David or Adonis is a heavy burden…

t

Edited November 24, 2024 by DeeringAmps

[T Boog]

1 hour ago, Rickddd said:

not a perfect solution, but one that might make some failed recordings usable.

Thanks. I actually looked into that a while back for a diff noise issue(a/c noise). From the vids I watched, it seemed to work great and was surprisingly transparent but I solved the problem a diff way.

Also, although the noise does interfere with my recording sometimes, my main priority at moment is my sanity. Im a single man and my livingroom IS my studio. I spend all my time here and want it(need it) as quiet as possible.

Second priority is I dont want my neighbors to hear my victims scream (😄). No seriously, I don't want my neighbors to be disturbed by my music. I mainly track electric guitar with amp sims but sometimes my Marshall tube amp needs to come out and play.

So yeah, noise on my recordings is the lesser issue right now. But I def appreciate the advice.

 

[T Boog]

52 minutes ago, DeeringAmps said:

Looking like Michaelangelo’s David or Adonis is a heavy burden…

FINALLY! Someone who understands my pain!   😉

[AB99]

I have had good luck in the past speaking to the people at this link: https://realtraps.com/

They may have some good advice for the OP.

[T Boog]

6 minutes ago, AB9 said:

They may have some good advice for the OP.

Thanks a lot my friend but Im just gonna diy this thing. There's been a lot of great advice here. I feel confident I can cut most of that noise down.

Btw, did u read RealTraps' disclaimer? If they installed anything for u, I hope it doesn't fall on ur head because they literally take responsibility for nothing...

"Neither RealTraps nor its owners shall be liable for any damage caused by the installation, use, or misuse of these products including, but not limited to, loss of profit, business interruption, a trap falling off the wall and breaking your vintage Neumann tube microphone, or landing on someone's head, or any other mishap including incidental or consequential damages"

                ...🤣

[AB99]

3 hours ago, T Boog said:

Thanks a lot my friend but Im just gonna diy this thing. There's been a lot of great advice here. I feel confident I can cut most of that noise down.

Btw, did u read RealTraps' disclaimer? If they installed anything for u, I hope it doesn't fall on ur head because they literally take responsibility for nothing...

"Neither RealTraps nor its owners shall be liable for any damage caused by the installation, use, or misuse of these products including, but not limited to, loss of profit, business interruption, a trap falling off the wall and breaking your vintage Neumann tube microphone, or landing on someone's head, or any other mishap including incidental or consequential damages"

                ...🤣

Interesting.  In my past experience with them, it was not about buying anything from them.  It was about getting some advice.  Maybe they do not do the "advice" thing any more.    (I spoke to Ethan there and he was very helpful but this was years ago and things might be different now.)

Edited November 24, 2024 by AB9

[T Boog]

2 minutes ago, AB9 said:

It was about getting some advice. 

I hear u. Im sure they know what they're doing but boy, they def covered their butt with that disclaimer.

Hanging heavy things from random ceilings is surely a sketchy business but they're saying even if they break something of yours during installation, that's YOUR problem. And if they didn't tighten down a wire properly and it falls on ur wife, again... that's YOUR problem 😄

I guess moral of the story is...  Get home insurance!

[AB99]

4 hours ago, T Boog said:

I hear u. Im sure they know what they're doing but boy, they def covered their butt with that disclaimer.

Hanging heavy things from random ceilings is surely a sketchy business but they're saying even if they break something of yours during installation, that's YOUR problem. And if they didn't tighten down a wire properly and it falls on ur wife, again... that's YOUR problem 😄

I guess moral of the story is...  Get home insurance!

Agreed.  Maybe it was written by their insurance company!

[Glenn Stanton]

sound isolation (e.g. transmission loss vs absorption) requires mass and air gaps. damping requires insulation in the air gap and pressed onto the mass to reduce resonances. multiple layers of the same material have the same resonances. layer different materials shift across several resonances.

since your issue is external sounds, and low frequency sounds, you need more mass. you also need to consider that sound is 3D and can transmit into your space via the structure. so the windows may be the obvious source, but also consider that once you solve the windows, you may find some other sound paths which were masked by the windows...

so i'd suggest a couple of tests:

- cover the inside of the windows with 3/4" plywood and 5/8" type X drywall (a window plug if you will). put in some pink wall insulation to press (gently) against the glass and the plywood).

- does that block most of the sound? or are you now hearing sound from your structure - ceiling, walls, floor even?

if the window block does a decent job, i'd recommend (depending on if you want daylight sometimes or you have life safety building codes requiring a windows for fire department access, then replace the thin windows with proper exterior storm rated windows (like Pella or Andersen etc), then, if y ou want day light, make your window plug removeable (or i like to use them as shutters ad a proper window plug can be pretty heavy) with a simple latch to secure it (this way if you are required to have fire dept access, then can readily break the latch to get in).

the new window plug could be multiple layers of MDF, plywood/osb, and the drywall. make a cloth covered insulation pad for the damping, and if you're sealing it full time, consider your options to vent it as well as perhaps use some stick on shading to hide the interior blocking.

if you're then continuing to hear sounds after fixing the windows, you'll want to do some work to damp the resonances of the structure. simply adding absorbers (real traps or GIK (which are lighter)) will help only slightly with exterior sources. you might consider adding another layer of drywall on your interior surfaces and some MLV or green glue (a viscoelastic damper, not a glue) to help.

 

 

[T Boog]

4 hours ago, Glenn Stanton said:

insulation to press (gently) against the glass

Thanks. That's a great idea because the glass is acting somewhat like a resonant speaker. Muffling the glass a bit will surely help.

I'm also def gonna use diff materials for diff resonant freqs. I actually learned that when I used to build windows. Our windows were called "Twinsulators". My boss explained how the two diff thicknesses of the glasses had diff resonant freqs which combined with the air gap made it good at cutting noise. Being a musician I rem thinking, "I'll be dam, simple yet genius".

Also, thanks for the fire danger advice. That's super important of course. However, until recently, those two windows had security bars on them. Most of my windows still have bars and my fire insurance is more expensive because of it. But I do have planned exits and trust me when I say... I'm a BIG fan of fire alarms & fresh batteries 😄

 

[Amberwolf]

3 hours ago, T Boog said:

Thanks. That's a great idea because the glass is acting somewhat like a resonant speaker. Muffling the glass a bit will surely help.

that's what the big foam blocks that used to be couch cushions do for me in my windows.  (sometimes canine destruction leaves useful remains)

[Xoo]

I do apologise in advance for this but how about "Install Linux"?

[57Gregy]

On 11/26/2024 at 4:45 AM, Xoo said:

I do apologise in advance for this but how about "Install Linux"?

Will I need screws or glue?

[T Boog]

19 minutes ago, 57Gregy said:

On 11/26/2024 at 3:45 AM, Xoo said:

I do apologise in advance for this but how about "Install Linux"?

Will I need screws or glue?

There u go Gregy, Keep him occupied. Xoo's my buddy but I think he forgets I'm just a rookie. Some of those OG(Original Geek) jokes go right over my head  🤔

[Xoo]

5 hours ago, 57Gregy said:

Will I need screws or glue?

Hammer.  Always.

[T Boog]

35 minutes ago, Amberwolf said:

literally shaking the neighborhood

Dang Amberwolf. I feel u bud. It's always worse on weekends. But hang in there brother. Don't go all "Shining" on us 🪓😵‍💫            (😉)

 

[Amberwolf]

REDRUM

 

⛏️

 

 

6+hours since they started and just getting louder all the time; it's after midnight here 

Edited December 1, 2024 by Amberwolf

[T Boog]

20 minutes ago, Amberwolf said:

6+hours since they started and just getting louder all the time;

Wolf, I think u need soundproofing more than me. Youve actually made me count my blessings. When I started this post I was feeling very sory for myself. Now I just feel sory for you 😂