Audimute to block sound (not for acoustics)

[BreakAesthetechs]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting some Audimute blankets Audimute Sound Absorption Sheets | Materials That Absorb Sound | Soundproofing Blankets - Audimute Soundproofing and I'd like user opinions on using them for my application. This is for sound blocking, not music recording, so acoustics aren't the primary concern.

I've read some posts from people who think these are a scam, but I've seen user reviews which are positive. For example:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/2062542-post6.html

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/3593688-post25.html

I also got a PM reply at another forum suggesting to try them as they have a money back guarantee, and the user had a positive experience with them.

This is my application: I need something to attempt to soundproof a sliding door which I'm not going to use, but it lets sound in and out from the room on the other side. It will be mainly voices that I'm trying to block, and I can use materials on both sides of this door.

I want to know if this would be the most cost-effective approach for what I'm trying to do, or whether there are other solutions which are better.

PS, I might also have to get something for the ceiling. Sound travels pretty well through the ceilings in this house, and I can even hear my roommate snoring. Any thoughts on this as well?
__________________

[Glenn Kuras]

You have to ask yourself only one question "How could a blanket stop sound?". The only things those things MIGHT do is dampen a little of the high end in the room.

Glenn

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

You have to ask yourself only one question "How could a blanket stop sound?". The only things those things MIGHT do is dampen a little of the high end in the room.

Glenn

Glenn is 100% right. It won't work. It takes a lot more mass than any blanket could provide to achieve anything like isolation, even from vocal-band noise.

Frank

[mixmkr]

I work on boats as a day gig, and there is this material that looks like the auralex foam, but has a layer of lead, impregnated into it. A 3/4" sheet (4'x4') is actually quite heavy. We use it to line engine boxes and the such. Besides building something with A LOT of mass, a product like this might work for your situation, especially if used double layer and applied to both sides. Realize this isn't just foam but has the "suspended" heavy metal layer in it. The 3M glue usually holds it, but typically I'll use screws with large fender washers to keep it in place.

Google 'engine box sound proofing foam', and you might get some results.

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by mixmkr

I work on boats as a day gig, and there is this material that looks like the auralex foam, but has a layer of lead, impregnated into it. A 3/4" sheet (4'x4') is actually quite heavy. We use it to line engine boxes and the such. Besides building something with A LOT of mass, a product like this might work for your situation, especially if used double layer and applied to both sides. Realize this isn't just foam but has the "suspended" heavy metal layer in it. The 3M glue usually holds it, but typically I'll use screws with large fender washers to keep it in place.

Google 'engine box sound proofing foam', and you might get some results.

Sure...something like that would be effective to some extent, you're right....especially in the vocal band. I used something similar in the military. It might be more expensive than adding another layer of 5/8" sheet rock and a Green Glue though.

Frank

[BreakAesthetechs]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and replies. At this point I think I'm going to try the Audimute blankets, and if they don't work return them.

The reason being I don't have a lot of money to spend on this, since it looks like those other solutions are fairly expensive. And not only that, this is a rental house and not my own, so I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that I can't take with me if I leave.

Any other suggestions are welcome though. There's so much out there it can give you a headache.

Mixmkr it looks like what you're talking about is this:


"Noisekiller Lead Sandwich

A sheet of high quality sound deadening lead sandwiched inside two layers of class "O" fire rated acoustic foam with a self-adhesive backing

The Lead layer acts as a barrier to sounds and the two layers of foam absorb the airborne sounds that have been blocked.

Can be used on the bulkhead in Land Rover models or inside in-cab engine covers, for lining generator housings in Motor Homes, to cover surveillance equipment housings in commercial vehicles, and as part of a solution to industrial noise reduction."

[Weasel9992]

I guarantee you that they will not. It's a simple matter of physics; soundproofing requires mass, and that's that...that's why it's expensive. The blankets will provide some minimal TL up in the high mids and highs, but nothing else.

Frank

[BreakAesthetechs]

what would be your suggestion for the most cost effective and effective solution?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Sho Geist

what would be your suggestion for the most cost effective and effective solution?

That's what we're trying to tell you...there isn't a cost-effective solution, at least not if you mean "inexpensive". I mean, there are solutions that are better dollar-for-dollar, but none of them are cheap. At the very least you're talking about replacing the glass with a wall, or at least another layer of sheet rock..or two.

Soundproofing is expensive and messy...there's just no way around it.

Frank

[BreakAesthetechs]

Ok, here's a PDF of a sound lab test from that manufacturer's website. Can someone who knows what it means take a look at it and tell me what they think?

http://www.audimutesoundproofing.com...TestReport.pdf

They say: "Audimute Sound Absorption Sheets have been tested in an acoustic laboratory and have an impressive NRC rating of .70."



I also found this, which seems interesting: Acoustic Panel

Based on the data at the bottom of the page, how would they compare?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Sho Geist

This is for sound blocking, not music recording, so acoustics aren't the primary concern.

Originally Posted by Sho Geist

They say: "Audimute Sound Absorption Sheets have been tested in an acoustic laboratory and have an impressive NRC rating of .70."

An NRC rating has to do with it's absorptive properties, as does all the documentation in the report. That says absolutely nothing about its utility in terms of sound proofing, which will be next to zero.

Frank

[Smithcok]

^^I admittedly didn't read the pdf,

For perspective - A 7$ piece of 2" 703 has an NRC of 1

...but it is definitely not a good isolator by itself.
You need mass! (which is heavy, expensive, and often messy)

Oh - and remember that NRC alone tells you nothing about absorption below 250 Hz.

[this1sPRE]

what about audimutes peacemaker for isolation in a vocal booth?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by this1sPRE

what about audimutes peacemaker for isolation in a vocal booth?

As part of a larger strategy, maybe. All by itself? No.

Frank