Top floor studio or street level?

[vtone]

I'm in the process of setting up a studio. It's above some shops at the busiest intersection in my little town.

I'm worried about loud drums and guitars traveling despite soundproofing (its a rental so I'm limited).

I have two floors: one above the shops and the next floor above that.

Will sound travel more or less the higher up I am? Will people hear it from farther away if it's up higher?

Edit: To clarify, this is not a pro studio for pay, just a hobbyist space.

[relaxo]

I know your studio is intended to be semi-pro, but some producers won't even work in a non-ground floor studio without an elevator.

[vtone]

Originally Posted by relaxo

I know your studio is intended to be semi-pro, but some producers won't even work in a non-ground floor studio without an elevator.

My studio is just for me, it's my vanity project! No producers would go near it but that's not an issue for me. I'm more curious about the physics of sound waves and which floor is better suited for recording based on sound leakage.

[chrispy179]

Originally Posted by vtone

My studio is just for me, it's my vanity project! No producers would go near it but that's not an issue for me. I'm more curious about the physics of sound waves and which floor is better suited for recording based on sound leakage.

As far as i know having a solid concrete foundation underneath you would provide the best isolation. Id say be wary of people above you, so youre not hearing their footsteps, and also sound resonating from the rest of the building if you are on a higher floor. It also depends the kind of budget you have set for acoustic isolation.

[narcoman]

AAAH but a concrete floor will be a great medium for transmission noise. There isn't a simple answer without seeing the place and location of it's neighbours.

[vtone]

Originally Posted by narcoman

AAAH but a concrete floor will be a great medium for transmission noise. There isn't a simple answer without seeing the place and location of it's neighbours.

That's a very good point. I'll do my best to explain the layout:

It's a small 3 story building. The first floor, for every building on the block, is a shop. I am inhabiting the second and third floors. The buildings to the left and right are only one story. So I don't have to worry about neighbors-- after the shops close I can play as loud as necessary. It's just foot traffic I'm worried about as there is a Starbucks across the street.

I'm not sure if the studio would be better on the 2nd floor or the 3rd floor, in terms of noise for pedestrians. My gut thinks the higher the better but then I wonder if that doesn't just send it a farther distance with less reflections.

[relaxo]

Higher of course, further from the street is best! And the second floor sandwich will cut sound from traveling to the shop too.

[Chris Lago]

I'd say do it on the 3rd floor, since it will be away from street level, and from the shop. That way you can record even during shop hours.

[Tarekith]

Third for sure, though keep in mind that will also be the hottest place in the summer.

[vtone]

Thanks for your responses! All very helpful. Third floor it is! There's no central air at this place so it's noisy window units for me. It's gonna be hot when tracking... If this place wasn't so nice and inexpensive I wouldn't even consider it.

[narcoman]

Yup - sounds like third is best.