Radio broadcasting studio soundproofing

Radio broadcasts have provided us with information and entertainment for what seems like forever, and the fact that we’re still listening is a testament to its staying power. It used to be the domain of large broadcasting companies, but new technology has allowed nearly anyone who wants to start their own radio station to do so. If you’re considering dipping your toes in radio broadcasting, there are some things you should know about soundproofing a radio studio before setting up.

A radio broadcasting studio needs to be constructed and set up correctly if we want to get the best sound out of our broadcasts. Let’s look at some of the reasons it’s important to have a well soundproofed radio broadcasting studio, as well as some techniques to help get you there.

Why is Radio Broadcasting Studio Soundproofing Important?

If you’re going to the trouble to put a radio broadcasting studio together, there are great reasons for you to invest in quality soundproofing materials. Not only will they make your broadcasts sound better, but they will also allow you to deliver higher quality content than you could otherwise. 

Audio Clarity

The number one priority of a radio station is that the audience can hear your message. The most important aspects of producing a broadcast with great audio clarity are a combination of solid electronics and materials for soundproofing and acoustically treating the studio.

If outside noises are making their way into the room, those noises will likely make it into your broadcast as well. Just as distracting, vibrations and impact noises within the room can cause confusion if not addressed. Radio broadcasting studio equipment picks up everything, so make sure it’s only picking up the things you want by soundproofing your radio broadcasting studio.

Privacy

Many people perform better when they know they are alone. It helps with concentration and allows us to focus on the task at hand. If you’ve got someone mixing audio in the next room, whether in a commercial setting or at home, studio soundproofing can help take your performances to the next level by cutting out any distractions.

In-studio Performances

Inviting bands into the studio to play on-air is a great way for bands and radio stations to deliver original content to their listeners. Your on-air personalities get to interview the artists, allowing listeners to learn something personal about their favorite musicians. Pair that with the opportunity for artists to showcase their new singles or old favorites, and you’ve got a win-win situation.

However, when bands play in a radio broadcasting studio, things can get very loud and change the way the station’s neighbors feel about them. Investing in quality soundproofing solutions allows you to present these fan-favorite moments to your listeners without blowback from adjacent businesses and residents.

Radio Broadcasting Studio Soundproofing Done Right

The fact that radio broadcasting studio soundproofing is such an important part of delivering great broadcasts demands that it be done right. Those soundproofing measures will pay off big when you hear the way your broadcasts sound in the end. Here’s how to soundproof a radio studio the right way.

Add Mass to Walls and Doors

The easiest way to keep sound waves from passing through a surface is to add mass to that surface. If your radio broadcasting studio is surrounded by dense brick or concrete walls, you are already off to a great start. However, most walls in homes and commercial buildings aren’t meant to handle a whole lot of vibrational energy, so adding mass is a must.

The Walls

If you are building your studio from the ground up or are willing to take down some drywall, you have a few more options available to you as far as adding mass is concerned. You can fill the air gaps in your walls with acoustical insulation, which pulls double duty by providing heat insulation as well as adding mass and making it harder for sound waves to pass through the wall. You can also use very thick drywall, which is a quick and easy way to add mass to your walls.

If you don’t have the ability to tear walls down to the studs, you can still add some mass with minimally invasive radio studio soundproofing techniques. Applying a layer of green glue to your existing drywall and affixing a second layer on top can more than double the mass of your drywall. The green glue and air gap will also help damp the vibrations, making it harder for them to pass along to the interior structure of the wall.

You can also roll a layer of mass loaded vinyl onto your existing drywall to add mass. It will provide some great studio soundproofing benefits on its own but performs best if you apply a second layer of drywall on top of your mass loaded vinyl sheets.

The Doors

Your studio doors are another weak spot in the armor. Most interior doors don’t have sufficient mass to keep sounds from passing through, so this is another spot you’ll want to add some mass. Springing for a heavier door will probably deliver the best results. But if you’ve already got a pretty solid door, you can still add some mass loaded vinyl and achieve pretty decent results.

Don’t forget to seal the gaps around the edges. A good deal of sound can make its way through a drafty perimeter, so make sure your wall’s insulation goes all the way to the door frame and seal it with some caulk. A door sweep will take care of the space at the bottom.

Decoupling Surfaces

Even with added mass, some sound vibrations will likely make their way to the other side. To prevent those vibrations from making their way to the next surface, consider adding decoupling materials.

Decoupling is the process of separating the different parts of a wall to prevent noises and vibrations from passing from one surface to the next. Utilizing decoupling materials in the construction of radio broadcasting studios is an important part of creating a space that doesn’t let sound in or out. 

The decoupling solutions you use will come down to the specifics of your space and its construction, so it’s best to contact the pros before trying to tackle this on your own. 

Sealing the Gaps

No matter how much mass you’ve added to your walls and doors, if there are any air gaps, sound can still get through. Sealing those gaps with caulk is necessary if you want to effectively keep sounds where they belong.

The main place we find air gaps is at points of entry, such as the windows and doors. Even if you’ve got a thick door and double glazed glass, if the edges aren’t sealed well, sound can pass around them. 

Acoustical treatments

Once you’ve shored up your defenses, let’s look at reducing the amount of noise the room has to contend with. Acoustical treatments like fabric wrapped acoustical panels and soundproof curtains for studios absorb a good deal of your mid and high frequency sound waves and help deal with audio issues like echo and reverberation.

If your walls are too reflective, sound waves will bounce around the room wildly. This causes echo, and as those waves build up in the room, they create reverberation, which makes the room get louder and louder. Introducing soft, absorbent materials like soundproofing acoustic studio foam and bass traps to your walls will absorb a good deal of those audio waves before they can cause issues.

Acoustical panels, foam, and bass traps can be applied directly to the walls, but since you won’t want to adhere anything to your windows, the best way to handle these reflective surfaces is through the use of soundproof curtains.

Radio Broadcasting Studios vs. Podcast Studios

Podcasts feel much like modern day talk radio channels, but with the ability to start and stop programs whenever we want. As such, soundproofing for radio broadcasting studios and soundproofing for podcast studios look pretty much the same. But when you are broadcasting live, the importance of proper soundproofing rises dramatically.

Podcasts are typically recorded ahead of time and cut and edited before they ever hit the airwaves. Even if the presenter or guest were to be interrupted halfway through the show, they could easily start the segment over and edit out the interruption. Compare that to the live nature of radio, and it’s easy to see how important proper soundproofing is.

Consult the Pros

If you want to get the most out of your soundproofing project, it’s a great idea to talk with people who know what they’re talking about. Soundproofing professionals can tell you the best ways to add mass to your space and show you where your biggest sound issues originate. They can also show you how to set up a radio broadcast studio to achieve the best sound, because what good is a radio broadcasting studio if it doesn’t sound great?