OT Buying a Townhouse

LumenStudio · 11th January 2005

Hi all,

I'm currently looking at townhouses in new jersey. I have a pretty decent project studio, ~$30,000+ invested that will be coming with me. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately) all that I can afford is a townhouse here in NJ.

I program all of my drums, so the only thing I play that requires volume when tracking are vocals and guitar. I've got my guitar recording chain to record great at bedroom tone after 2 years of finicking, so now a townhouse is a reality for me.

What type of things should I look for? I assume a basement would be good. Any type of walls? What else?

Thanks in advance,
Lumen

biggator6 · 11th January 2005

understanding neighbors who preferably work the night shift?
"-)

faeflora · 11th January 2005

Talk to the neighbors and ask them if they'd mind constant loud music. Ask them if they can hear through the adjoining walls.

There are some soundproofed townhouses probaby.

joeq · 11th January 2005

get the end unit

I know a guy who has a rehearsal studio for his band in the basement of his end unit townhouse. The stairwell is on the side towards the next unit so it acts as a dead air space. He's been at it for years so, it must be not too loud next door.

PinkHumpy · 11th January 2005

I just moved into a townhouse that has brick wall in between the units... but I can still hear loud thuds and even a loud tv on a common wall. I assume that means it was built so that the common walls are not decoupled from each other. I don't know if any places you'll find will have this decoupling construction?

I have an unfinished basement, and found that it's the worst place for sound isolation in the house - I can hear my neighbor's baby crying like it's in the next room when I'm in the basement, but can't hear it at all when I'm upstairs in the same location relative to the unit next door (kitchen). I had originally planned to have band practice w/ acoustic drums in the basement, but now I'll probably have to finish the basement with double walls and floating floors/ceilings. Bummer :(

If I had a chance to do it again, I'd find a single house.

Good luck.

vince @ speck · 11th January 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by faeflora
Talk to the neighbors and ask them if they'd mind constant loud music. Ask them if they can hear through the adjoining walls.

There are some soundproofed townhouses probaby.

and...

....take a look at the C.C.&R's for the complex to make sure that they don't prohibit loud music.

...find out who's next to YOU. Maybe they play music that's louder than yours. That could be a drag!

...have a chat with someone from the homeowners association about what you propose to do. Sometimes they are really cool about this kind of stuff. Other times, the officers of the HOA are just plain psycho. They have NO life, and just live to hassle owners.

Regarding walls.... Mass stops sound. If you want to soundproof, add mass (built-up sheetrock, blocks), to the wall surface.

Just my $.02

Regards,

tINY · 11th January 2005

For vocal and guitar at resonable volumes (no Korn-y recordings) the "party wall" in most townhouses is pretty good.

Above 90dB or below 35Hz is where you start getting into problems. Of course, there is nothing that says you can't build a "temparary" room inside of another room of your air-space condominium.....

-tINY

11th January 2005	#1
LumenStudio Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 402 Thread Starter	OT Buying a Townhouse Hi all, I'm currently looking at townhouses in new jersey. I have a pretty decent project studio, ~$30,000+ invested that will be coming with me. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately) all that I can afford is a townhouse here in NJ. I program all of my drums, so the only thing I play that requires volume when tracking are vocals and guitar. I've got my guitar recording chain to record great at bedroom tone after 2 years of finicking, so now a townhouse is a reality for me. What type of things should I look for? I assume a basement would be good. Any type of walls? What else? Thanks in advance, Lumen __________________ My opinion may change at any time without notification.

11th January 2005	#5
PinkHumpy Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philly Posts: 58	I just moved into a townhouse that has brick wall in between the units... but I can still hear loud thuds and even a loud tv on a common wall. I assume that means it was built so that the common walls are not decoupled from each other. I don't know if any places you'll find will have this decoupling construction? I have an unfinished basement, and found that it's the worst place for sound isolation in the house - I can hear my neighbor's baby crying like it's in the next room when I'm in the basement, but can't hear it at all when I'm upstairs in the same location relative to the unit next door (kitchen). I had originally planned to have band practice w/ acoustic drums in the basement, but now I'll probably have to finish the basement with double walls and floating floors/ceilings. Bummer :( If I had a chance to do it again, I'd find a single house. Good luck. __________________ Brendan www.pinkhumpy.com myspace.com/pinkhumpy cdbaby.com/cd/pinkhumpy

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11th January 2005	#2
biggator6 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,787	understanding neighbors who preferably work the night shift? "-)

11th January 2005	#3
faeflora Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 2,019	Talk to the neighbors and ask them if they'd mind constant loud music. Ask them if they can hear through the adjoining walls. There are some soundproofed townhouses probaby.

11th January 2005	#4
joeq Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 9,246	get the end unit I know a guy who has a rehearsal studio for his band in the basement of his end unit townhouse. The stairwell is on the side towards the next unit so it acts as a dead air space. He's been at it for years so, it must be not too loud next door.

11th January 2005	#7
tINY Gear Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,206	For vocal and guitar at resonable volumes (no Korn-y recordings) the "party wall" in most townhouses is pretty good. Above 90dB or below 35Hz is where you start getting into problems. Of course, there is nothing that says you can't build a "temparary" room inside of another room of your air-space condominium..... -tINY