Avoiding wall perforations

Recording Techniques, People Skills, Gear, Recording Spaces, Computers, and DIY

Moderators: drumsound, tomb

Post Reply
cprescott1972
audio school graduate
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:14 am

Avoiding wall perforations

Post by cprescott1972 » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:39 am

Hello. Planning a new studio space and am wondering about avoiding too many wall perforations due to standard outlets and switches. Seems like putting boxes and wire conduit on the surface of the wall would avoid having so many holes to let sound out. Ugly, perhaps. Seems like most people don't build this way. Am I missing something? I know there's a trade off with aesthetics. Perhaps not worth potential soundproofing benefits? Any thoughts? Thanks!

User avatar
digitaldrummer
ghost haunting audio students
Posts: 3476
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:51 pm
Location: Austin, Texas
Contact:

Post by digitaldrummer » Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:31 pm

My walls have insulation, caulk, etc. to seal up the "holes". And besides that there is still an outer wall on my studio. oh, and my exterior walls are build on 2x6" studs. I'm not really having any major noise leakage issues. it will probably depend on your wall construction and whats on the other side.
Mike
www.studiodrumtracks.com -- Drum tracks starting at $50!
www.doubledogrecording.com

User avatar
DrummerMan
george martin
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by DrummerMan » Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:04 pm

Most studios I see have surface mounted outlet and light switch boxes. In the past and for my upcoming build I make them out of stained hardwood boards so they look nice (to me). Then you can either...

1) connect through the wall to each box, with as small a hole as you need to fit the wire through, then caulk around the opening to make sure there isn't any leakage. This is what I've done.

2) run your wire on the outside to one junction point where it goes through the wall. If you use the rectangular conduit that's made for this kind of thing it's not as ugly as you think it would be. If you paint it the same color as the wall it kind of just disappears.

I'm sure there's a way to recess an isolation box to have the outlet flush mounted as well.

People like firestop putty around the back of their outlet boxes as well, but I don't know if that isolates as well as a well constructed wall with a small hole that's caulked closed.
Geoff Mann
composer | drummer | Los Angeles, CA

User avatar
Snarl 12/8
cryogenically thawing
Posts: 3510
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:01 pm
Location: Right Cheer
Contact:

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:43 pm

DrummerMan wrote:In the past and for my upcoming build I make them out of stained hardwood boards so they look nice (to me). Then you can either...
Is that up to code? Can we see a picture?
Carl Keil

Almost forgot: Please steal my drum tracks. and more.

User avatar
DrummerMan
george martin
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by DrummerMan » Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:05 pm

It's just a regular surface mounted metal outlet box, just surrounded by wood for decorative purposes. See some close ups a little ways down the page from my old trailer studio.

I honestly never thought that it would be problematic, code wise. What would be the issue?
Geoff Mann
composer | drummer | Los Angeles, CA

User avatar
roscoenyc
carpal tunnel
Posts: 1530
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: NYC
Contact:

Post by roscoenyc » Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:41 am

I'm hoping you have the Rod Gervais book.

User avatar
DrummerMan
george martin
Posts: 1436
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by DrummerMan » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:20 am

roscoenyc wrote:I'm hoping you have the Rod Gervais book.
Me? or the OP...


I do, of course. :)
Geoff Mann
composer | drummer | Los Angeles, CA

User avatar
roscoenyc
carpal tunnel
Posts: 1530
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: NYC
Contact:

Post by roscoenyc » Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:31 pm

OP!
You must have it by now!

User avatar
Snarl 12/8
cryogenically thawing
Posts: 3510
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:01 pm
Location: Right Cheer
Contact:

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:41 am

DrummerMan wrote: I honestly never thought that it would be problematic, code wise. What would be the issue?
I thought you said the box itself was made of wood. Those do look nice. Carry on!
Carl Keil

Almost forgot: Please steal my drum tracks. and more.

cprescott1972
audio school graduate
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:14 am

Post by cprescott1972 » Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:32 pm

I do actually. I was just reading up on the outlet putty pads. Great idea. Thanks!

goldstar
takin' a dinner break
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 7:33 am
Location: Denver

Post by goldstar » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:09 pm

Don't forget about door latch holes, too. If you can, buy unbored doors and use pull handles and pushplates with either a closer or a roller catch instead of a standard door knob. Knobs make a 2 1/8" hole in the door that is impossible to make airtight ( = soundproof).

Frank

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 43 guests