Do Not Use MLV When Soundproofing

[@soundproofyourstudio]

FREE Soundproofing Workshop: www.soundproofyourstudio.com/workshop

[@sallyisabel]

I swear researching how to soundproof my room is going to convert me into a conspiracy theorist.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Hahaha, I feel ya

[@Georgggg]

Apparently, american part of the internet is not only full of BS about soundproofing, but lacks actually working solutions. Best way to soundproofing wall is to build another wall on metal/wooden frame close to it, which is not conected to existing wall and connects adjacent 2 walls+ceil+floor only loosely, no rigid connections. Ibelieve MLV strip on metal frame here is actually the best use of it. rockwool inside of metal frame, and 2 layers of densest drywall you can have - and thats it. For floor and ceiling its the same but some additional things needed to cope with gravity..

[@SeamlessFab]

It’s called decoupling a wall and you can do it far more effectively with spans clips and specialized furring or hat channel than the method you suggested because the hat channel contains tons of small perforations that deaden sound combined with being decoupled from the wall with clips. American here and I guess we know more than you and your local populace about soundproofing. You’re welcome for the free education.

[@Lou.B]

Flawed logic here, basically around two issues: 1. The Perfect is the enemy of the Good: So, c'mon man. If your door doesn't live up to the soundproofing that's in your walls, that doesn't mean that your room drops to zero STC; it just means that the room won't be as quiet as it could be. And yeah, yeah, I've heard the argument that a small crack in the shielding from not sealing your plugbox cutouts will let HALF the sound back in. B.S. Most of the rooms your advising for have already been built, so some of your recommendations will be off the table anyway. Why NOT use 'add on' improvements? Unless you're involved in new construction of a recording studio, there's no point in chasing absolutes. 2. My Way or the Highway You don't say so explicitly, but it seems your focus IS on music spaces, listening rooms, etc. But there are MANY other applications where extra sheetrock (added sheets or 5/8th"), MLV, Greenglue, or Carpet glue will yield fantastic results! Say you've got a wall closet with bathroom drainpipes behind the wall. There's no windows or doors, and using any or a combination of the aforementioned options can easily protect the silence of a lower apartment unit. Yet you're attempting to shotgun a technology just because it may not be a panacea for YOUR particular (and rather specialized) circumstances. If you can get passed your bias, I'm sure your free workshop will be improved. (or maybe you're working for the Sheetrock Cartel? LOL!)

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Def working for the Sheetrock cartel;)

[@GregoryGuay]

@@Lou.B is carpet glue a hunch or have you tested it? The problem seems to be, hard to DIY test and get accurate results, right? I mean, as far as an A/B test. I could put fairy dust between my OSB and Gypsum layers but it’s probably going to be the IsoMax and hat channel with 5/8” OSB and 5/8” gypsum that do the heavy lifting. Plus added insulation added behind to prevent cavity resonance. Not the fairy dust? I am also using surface mounted outlets to improve STC, but I don’t think I’ll spend $1,000 on green glue. I added Robert’s carpet glue to my vocal booth but I have no way of accurately testing it. It was a messy PITA, I know that! My first build, so I’m just here to learn.

[@valdiorn]

This is a bit like saying "If it's cold outside, wearing a jacket is useless because you're not wearing a hat". Sure, you should probably wear a hat as well, but that doesn't somehow negate the effectiveness of jackets keeping you warm. In the same way, just because your studio door is poorly insulated does not negate the effectiveness of MLV for wall, ceiling and floor insulation purposes. Flawed logic.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Sorry agree to disagree on this one.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

@Tom-fz6pe Just here to rile people up...no I am here to create dialogue and see different perspectives. It's just youtube Tom chill my friend.

[@giuliocarmassi]

I've been using on floors for 2 decades (in three different locations) and it's been amazing. Saved my apt dweller life. Especially for floors, to separate one room from the neighbors downstairs, it's tremendous.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for sharing! It works great for impact noise. My point is there are more effective ways to soundproof most of the time.

[@mightymorphinconspiracythe5024]

I know this is an older video, but thank you for this. I've been trying watch every sound proofing video I can find, and a lot of opinions are said, but not many of them actually give the facts about it like you do. Thank you so so much. Subscribed and now it's time to binge everything on your channel!

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad it helped!

[@TargetAcquisition]

MLV is not intended to completely soundproof a Recording Studio. It is intended for regular applications, such as soundproofing your house against outside noise. Or in between rooms within a home or business. MLV is great for STUDIOS if you use it sparingly. Apply to doors, or ceilings if there is a story above your studio. Also great for placing on the wall between the Sound Booth and your Control desk.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for the insight

[@thehighend4545]

Exactly. This is suspect at best. Another KZbin channel chalked full of experts... Does this guy even actually have a studio? I mean I see all the pics on the videos but then all of them are in his living room. Passion doesn't equal experience good sir. Got a degree in acoustical engineering? Anything?

[@billnewman7355]

@@thehighend4545 Nah this guy is a typical youtuber, google a few things and then claims to be an expert.

[@Oneness100]

That's not true. I know a company that designs wall construction that's used in studio environment or critical listening rooms and they have a goal of reaching 30dB ambient noise floor or LOWER. They use MLV in their designs and they design rooms (if necessary) down to whatever frequency is required as per the customer's requirements. They've built rooms that go down to 30hz or lower, if necessary. But it all depends on the customer's requirements. The first thing they have done is a noise study, so they know the amplitude and frequencies of the noise they are trying to build a barrier for and they need to know how much they need to attenuate. If you don't do any sort of noise study, then you are then wasting your time/money because you can't guess amplitudes and frequencies. But to say that MLV isn't used in high end audio applications like a studio or a critical listening environment is nonsense.

[@Oneness100]

It's used to decouple one material from another. it's used in contained layer wall construction design.. MLV is more of a barrier than an adhesive. Adhesives rarely have 100% coverage and aren't even really a barrier between to sounds. It's more for decoupling. MLV can also be purchased in different thicknesses.

[@michellem5647]

You are the only person I’ve seen say don’t use mlv…so I’m guessing you are wrong

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Well, there is a thing called group think. Be wary of following a crowd over a cliff.

[@silverlyder]

Yea hes wrong

[@doca9357]

Different materials address different frequencies, combinations make for improvement. The point is if your not addressing your weakest link, then buying rolls of mlv isn't the best use of your money. You can make your own window and door covers, using some of your mlv combined with other materials to cover these areas to work to bring your entire room up to a consistent level. Very good points, some places mention the need to address windows and doors, also thinking beyond a simple sound proof room to isolating two rooms with a shared wall, no doorway.

[@Casey_and_Cars]

There is absolutely no such thing as "group thing", anywhere in the world, nor has there ever been.

[@jamesolelo4406]

​@doca9357 let's say I live in a town house or a home with separate sides that don't have a way to walk though( each side has it's own entrance etc. If I just want to soundproof the wall that connects my side of the house from the other,and my entrance to my home is not on the connecting wall , something like mlv would definitely work. My goal is to stop noise from my side going to there's (because the adjacent room is a bedroom.

[@patrickmccabe4957]

You are correct about the weakest link being an area of focus. Removing MLV makes walls equally as bad as doors and windows. Doubling up doors and windows is the best way to go. That makes them as soundproof as your MLV sandwiched or green glued walls.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching

[@mourlyvold64]

Basically this video should be titled "Beef up your windows and doors to the same level as your walls". Regardless of the STR you aim for or the method you choose to achieve it.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yes, that is correct.

[@Tennouseijin]

I would agree that doors and windows tend to be the weakest link, unless you somehow happen to live in a place with very thin walls but super soundproof doors and windows already. But this relates to airborne noise. Some noise however comes from walls, ceiling or floor directly, and then it's a different topic. For example, in case of the flat where I live, most of the noise does indeed come through the door and windows - street noise comes through the window as evident from the fact that closing the window greatly reduces the noise. Noise from my flatmates comes mostly through the door, as evident from the fact that closing the door makes a huge difference. I've good reasons to believe that walls around my bedroom block noise really well, as they are thick reinforced concrete walls. However, as far as I can tell, when I hear footsteps from the floor above my bedroom, these are mostly coming through the ceiling - not through the window or the door. This doesn't mean that ceiling is the weakest link. It just means it is the closest to the source of the noise, and the fact the noise only has to travel through solids before reaching my room. I don't, for instance, hear any other sounds from above. Only footsteps (and dropped objects etc.). Also, the loudest noise I've ever experienced in my bedroom was when the housing association hired some workers to do some work in the basement (2 floors below my flat) and they were drilling through concrete and rebar walls... for hours upon hours, roughly 3 days a week for about a month. That was awful. But anyway, I presume the sound was traveling mostly through the walls rather than through the air, so again, in that case I doubt soundproofing the doors and windows would do much. So the 'weakest link' theory seems to have some flaws. (granted - trying to soundproof the room against that noise would not be effective if the doors were left as a weak point, since the noise would still go from the walls to the air in the corridor for example, and then could come from the corridor through the door, to the bedroom. Thus I would have to either soundproof the door - or the corridor - to address that, and so on) But still, the path to my room through the corridor would be less direct than the path through my bedroom wall, thus - given no soundproofing - it would be louder from the wall than from the corridor, and thus the wall would need to be more soundproof than the door (though not by much). Also, another source of noise, but that's mostly in the kitchen and bathroom areas, is from ventilation pipes since those are shared vertically between flats.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching and sharing

[@Israel-Silva]

Thanks for sharing the video. I'm building a house with a studio for podcasting. I was considering spending $3500 for Acoutiblok and $2000 for labor for a 16'x16'x9' room in addition to the drywall and insulation batts. You are the third resource that has indicated that soundproofing is only as good as its weakest link. It's like a solid titanium boat with a small hole in it, you will still leak water in. I'll spend my money on improving the door and adding an insert to the windows (required by code) adding more mass via double layers of 5/8" drywall. Very good comments from others on this thread.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad it helped

[@thomasbroker69]

What?? It’s not anything in your mind, MLV still works just cos you didn’t fit it properly doesn’t mean it doesn’t..

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I like to use it for my acoustic wall designs but not the soundproofing isolation system.

[@komoru]

All the more reason to not buy your doors. Make your own. Mine blocked ALL sound from a piano. Room within a room construction. Completely inaudible outside the room. @ 8:20 you mention that a door will cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Well, not if you make your own. Get 2-3 solid slab doors at home depot and fasten them all together for door #1 and repeat for door #2. Avoid all windows Then you need to fabricate the door jambs and super beefy hinges and the thresholds/rubber seals to keep the sound out . DONE. Cost me way under $1000

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Solid! Glad it worked.

[@t.m.gmusic9771]

I’m building a studio in midtown Manhattan as we speak its a huge build out every room has iac doors stc rating of 54 it’s a special way they install the doors nothing is leaking out at all I brought 15 doors the isolation is incredible my wall assembly is 1 layer of gyp 3 layers of 5/8 drywall on the inside air gap then 1 layer of plywood 3 layers on the outside walls everything is decoupled you can’t hear anything I mean nothing and this is in 10 different rooms four have auspurger 15inc with 18inc subs

[@komoru]

Post a video tour of your build. Others would be interested to see.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Sounds pretty soundproof

[@LTPottenger]

But your door opens to the inside of the house, and for most people it's outside noise they need to block, or upstairs/downstairs noise. You can also put heavy drapes around the door or even some big plywood and acoustic foam popped against it when in use - or a double door system. So it does not need to be as big of an achilles heel as it may first seem.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I disagree

[@ThugMuffin10]

how do you disagree, covering the door doesnt work? and that still doesnt solve the problem im not putting gg or any glue in my door either so even if i still just use green glue on everything the door is still just an issue that you have to fix by buying a seperate door which ig is the point of this video?@@soundproofyourstudio

[@collinmcginness6062]

I've found that dry baked sand can drastically improve isolation. Inside doors, floors, monitor stands, even flush-mount loudspeaker walls.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Good point!

[@odalv7278]

well.. I went with a open spray foam, air gap, MLV, resilient clips with aluminium channels to decouple a wall, dual sheetrock w green glue in between, acoustic caulk in between walls - they don't touch; regular heavy full door, another entrance room with another regular metal door. Perfection. Don't regret any single step and everything works as intended. MVL is great but needs to be limp otherwise it doens't do much. An airgap space on both sides; holes and seams need to be sealed. My space is the quietest space I've ever been at. I don't believe that double sheetrock with a green glue alone would ever do it . No way imo. The door was an issue, but if you can manage to put another door further away, it is amazing.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad it worked. You would be surprised what double walls can do.

[@Charles-lane277]

Wouldn't the smart thing to do be to put mass loaded on all the walls including the door along with a good door seal?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

You could. MLV costs over $5 per square foot while drywall is $0.53 per square foot. I think it really comes down to cost and value for the money.

[@luciousfl0w]

Could I not use MLV and/or green glue on the door to get that consistency?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

You can add MLV, green glue really anything you want to get that mass consistency. Note that GG and MLV are both damping agents. That is different than the affect mass alone has on soundproofing.

[@jajjakajja]

Well, well ;) First of all, thanks for an interesting video. It clearly makes a compelling case for the importance of a highly-rated door. The argument that "you're only as good as your weakest link," in this instance, has eluded me throughout my years of researching soundproofing. If proven accurate, it could greatly simplify the planning, execution, and budgeting of soundproof rooms for sure, offering a streamlined approach where plans and budgets are tailored based on the available door (or one that fits the budget). In my case, for example, an Rw 50 dB door (a European unit, which isn't completely comparable to STC) is the most effective door I have found in my country. If there isn't any additional benefit in improving the insulation above Rw 50 for the rest of the construction, I wouldn't even need double studs or any green glue. I could settle for two fiberboards on steel studs. Even two of those 100 kg / 220 pounds steel doors would only add a 3 dB improvement, which is barely noticeable. Unless there are some doors available that I am not aware of (which is very possible, but these are said to be the best on the market), there wouldn't be any need for double studs for improved mass, decoupling, and additional insulation in any sound-dampening room in my country. That sounds peculiar. And upon closer scrutiny, I'm inclined to believe that this argument, at least in my assessment, falls short. Airborne sound, as we understand it, transforms surfaces into membranes upon impact, effectively turning them into speakers. It logically follows that minimizing areas overall where sound waves can most effectively energize is crucial. While doors, given their size, represent a significant area, it stands to reason that real-world gains in soundproofing can be achieved by enhancing the walls, floor, and roof beyond the door's specifications, considering these surfaces, which constitute a larger area than a normal-sized door, would also play an important role in overall sound transmission. The bigger the room, the bigger the gain. The principle draws parallels to heat insulation, where the exchange of heat and cold air aligns with the transmission of sound waves (even double stud walls are used similarly, as thermal bridging occurs much the same as in structural noise). Windows emerge as weak points in such scenarios too. Even with three layers, windows fall short of the insulation capacity that basic wall constructions can achieve, a disparity evident even in older buildings. However, if your walls constitute a significant area, it still remains sensible to minimize their thermal leakages above the ratings of your windows. For the reasons given, I would expect the same principles to be at play in respect to sound insulation.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Very interesting argument. I dig it

[@karlosdelacruz3803]

Maybe I missed it, but why is it so important to have the outside and inside walls the same weight? If there's green glue on the outside wall, but not the inside wall, what is so detrimental? Obviously more mass is better, got it, but I'm just curious on why you're dug on this particular idea.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I think it comes down to the mass spring mass system. Ideally the system works best with two heavy masses on each side and a very loose spring aka big air gap. If one side is lopsided it is not ideal because sound will more readily pass through one side of your system thus wearing the whole system. Not sure that makes sense.

[@keithschneider6584]

I would agree with your assessment , what are your thoughts on sand ? I'm building my room and need pocket doors.I am building the door with 1 inch tube steel covered with baltic birch 1/4 inch and filling door cavity with dry packed sand but the door can't be sealed with a tight weather stripping like "normal doors

[@soundproofyourstudio]

A sand filled door is a good option. Here is a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXTdl2xvjtSImas

[@kshred3043]

The OP is treating STC as an absolute thing. But, surely surface area of each of the surfaces plays a role in this argument. It defies logic that if I halve the area of the door it will transmit the same total amount of sound as a full size door. By this logic, the STC rating of the walls is likely more important in aggregate than that of the door, ie: because there is much more wall area than door area for the sound to escape through. I am not disputing that the door is important. However, I am wondering, in the system as a whole, if it is the STC, or the STC/m^2, Or something else. Whatever, this answer will likely depend of the wavelength relative to the dimensions of the area in question,

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yes, the area of soundproofing will certainly help, but from experience I can assure you if you had super heavy isolated walls and a weak door you would hear sounds all coming from the door. The walls would be mostly irrelevant. For example, let’s say a jet flies by. The walls would not transmit the sound, so you would hear the jet coming from the door nowhere else, but it would still be sound in the room. There is no midway with isolation. It is all or nothing.

[@darren4635]

Finally somebody who isn't speaking a lot of hot air and bullshit. Thank you.

[@fredericguyon1449]

This is an interesting video but quite way too simplistic. Yes, the door is the weakest link but it might not be in the direction of the sound coming. For example your explanation does not work for a party wall where there is no windows and door. Yes you will probably get some flanking noise but it will be nowhere the level of the direct sound so you do not need the same stc between the window and the party wall. You also use data from green glue as a reference but it is bias as for sure green glue is going to promote their own product and there is independant study to show that green glue does very little and can easily replace by carpet glue which will do as well. So yes MLV is useful, especially when trying to stop low frequency from a party wall.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I do not agree with you on any of these points. First, sound travels around a party wall. So you can’t beef up your party wall and not worry about other walls, doors etc. second the lab report was done by a third party lab that is not connected to Green Glue. I could not find any research done by any company showing the lab results of MLV and two layers of drywall except the green glue company. Thanks for watching.

[@fredericguyon1449]

@@soundproofyourstudio I wonder if you read what I said as I explicitly said that you will get flanking noise but not the same level as the direct source of noise. Your all video and analysis is based on the flanking being at the same level which is incorrect. You should do more research as their are many videos and independent study between MLV and green glue. I was not looking for an agreement as your video are commercial orientation in bringing yourself business and as you responded to another comment that I made you are no expert in the matter so I guess we agree to disagree but for the people out there, watch others videos of people who are experts in the matters (and I do not mean company that produce those materials) and make your own opinions

[@soundproofyourstudio]

@@fredericguyon1449 if you have any videos to share I am always learning. This community is not for these comments. It is meant to help each other out, not put each other down.

[@Silver_Surfer_1]

Speaking of doors, would 3 layers of 5/8 mdf with green glue between them do the trick? I would prefer to make my own rather buy them. What say you?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It’s all about mass with doors. If 5/8 msg gets the door to the weight you need then great. The green glue or even MLV can help with damping.

[@danhoy8356]

Was going to put under carpet in bedroom. Our son’s room is directly below us. We can’t to prevent some of the smack smack, shake shake noises

[@Anouyz]

I think personally putting MLV under exterior siding seems to be its ultimate use case

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Interesting, never really heard that.

[@pimbaaudio3655]

what if one uses MLV curtains over a door or a window?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Could help some, but is not ideal.

[@TonyMacaroni69_]

Thank you for the video, you sharing your knowledge and personal experience is very appreciated! I have a question regarding my homestudio: So I live in an apartment and I recently got a noise complaint from my neighbour who lives THREE STORIES above me. I have long thought about where the sound escapes my home studio and how to solve that issue. I have come to the conclusion that it almost certaily has to be the one wall in my studio which goes through the entire building. So in my specific case it's definitely not the door that's the weakest link (you don't hear anything from the staircase). So I'm wondering if MLV/Green Glue would be a good solution to stop sound travelling through that wall up to my neighbours apartment. Please take into account that it's a european building so the wall is made of solid concrete wit a layer of insulation and drywall on it. Any help or perhaps completely other ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[@soundproofyourstudio]

You might try building a wall as far as you can off the existing wall and use two layers of 16mm plasterboard with insulation in the bays. Use acoustic caulk around the perimeter to seal it up air tight. I don’t think you need to spend the money on gg or MLV. If you are really loud you could try 3-4 layers of plasterboard.

[@TonyMacaroni69_]

​@@soundproofyourstudio Thank you very much for the advice, brother, I really appreciate what you do!

[@jason.martin]

Used the GG system as well as the heavy duty soundclips and it did an amazing job of stopping the drum noise going to the upstairs. That said, if the GG company did the testing vs limp hung MLV I would be a bit skeptical of it, We would have to see independent testing done to confirm this.

[@jason.martin]

The other thing is that MLV can only be used if it is hung limply and not sandwiched as that will defeat the purpose of it

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I agree. I want to do a video on in depth tests from around the world of green glue. They are out there, but you have to do some digging.

[@productreviewspecialist]

I live off the highway and my windows take up about 30% of my wallspace and with the setup I have now my walls are at 40 STC. However, my triple pane windows are now the weakpoint (rated at 35 STC), so my question is; would it be pointless to add a 2nd layer of 5/8 drywall?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It may help, but yes I would also look at adding inserts to your windows first.

[@Person_2078]

What I'm getting here is, MLV DOES help reduce sound transmission (that graph was further evidence), but it's not as good as using green glue in the way that was described. But MLV still works. Maybe not as good as advertised, but it still works.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I think MLV does work well it just a costs a ton. I use it for high end acoustic treatment these days, but not for isolation.

[@ozzyosmond1]

What are your thoughts on staggered stud walls with 2 layers of drywall on wach side using green glue between layers? Will that also give an STC of 63?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It won’t, but it is a viable option if space and funds are limited.

[@aaronmichelson5510]

I'd just counter that adding a door isn't really helpful in all cases. My studio window and wall faces a highway nearly two streets down, so a door won't do anything to block the highway noise at all. Outside noise mainly comes from that direction, rather than all around.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I don’t recommend only soundproofing single walls, but you could always try it and see if it works. To really ensure isolation you must focus on the room as a whole.

[@abrock6215]

And yet I have used MLV in a few different applications and it worked beautifully. Used it on doors and window plugs it dropped the sound level by at least half.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It works but is super expensive compared to 5/8 drywall. My stance these days is use it only as needed and don’t default to it.

[@abrock6215]

@@soundproofyourstudio I agree that it is more expensive than drywall, which is why I used it only on doors and for window plugs. I would not use it to soundproof an entire wall.

[@donovans6472]

i want to block noise such as my neighbours bass/music coming into my room.... would MLV be helpful for that? i hear it coming from one specific area...so i was thinking of using it for that one specific area..

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It could be. Do some research on mlv, drywall, green glue and quiet rock

[@Tone-Oz]

Thanks, I've learnt to record digitally and save my money. Cheers

[@GregoryGuay]

good points, had never considered the Visceoelastic /stretch caulking as an alternative to green glue COMPOUND, but I am considering using Roberts carpet glue. Of course there’s no long-term testing on this, if any audio testing at all…

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Carpet glue is just a theory, but people do it. I don’t, but it could work.

[@GregoryGuay]

@@soundproofyourstudio good point. I did the glue on my OSB before gypsum went up in my vocal booth. Really slows the process down! Couldn’t really get into a fast work flow so I will probably skip it in my 12x22 studio.

[@trollingisasport]

I need to build a little soundbooth to block out my singing so I dont piss off the neighboors. Any advice what to use?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It’s complicated so keep watching videos to learn how to soundproof. You will get lots of design ideas.

[@lawrencecaine3656]

It has nothing to do with marketing everything has marketing. If you have to use soundproofing educate yourself most professional studios don't overdeaden the live rooms because the room sound is so important. Clearly you've never worked in the industry in construction as a builder or as a sound professional. I agree with you on the openings doors and windows stc but the only way to achieve this is to build multiple openings inserts for your windows if you have Windows. Regarding the structure your math makes no sense. Not all areas have to be treated in the same manner. In fact wall stud assemblies are purposely not placed evenly to create diffusion absorbtion and bass trapping. If the goal is soundproofing to not allow sound out of the structure. MLV is much more effective. Usually it's sandwiched between layers of drywall. This actually has a much higher STC than green glue as well as sound proofing. Considering green glue does not cover the entire surface what it does is it decouples and allows trapping. Again if you want to build a soundproof recording studio that sounds good you need diffusion, absorption and bass traps that is part of the process of soundproofing. soundproofing a room. Decoupling is also imperative to have the control room isolated from the live room suspended on rubber uboats or thick MLV which is placed floors walls and ceilings if necessary. Nothing personal but I think you should stop educating people incorrectly

[@soundproofyourstudio]

There are many approaches to the same end goal. Soundproofing is not acoustic treatment. You can use MLV all day I just don’t usually use it in my designs for the reasons stated. Thanks for watching!

[@lawrencecaine3656]

@@soundproofyourstudio yes but you're pushing the narrative that it's not a good product to use and is over marketed that's my point. Soundproofing takes work if you're trying to keep sound inside the structure without causing loud DB levels outside the area. Caulking and expansion foam is used to fill every crack and void between wall assemblies and wall coverings. This ensures sound does not get out of the structure. MLV by far is the most effective way to block sound especially as thin as it is. Automotive, airplanes, Night clubs, live music venues, and pro recording studios use MLV on many surfaces as well as studio monitor stands and bases to cut down on sound transmission. So again your opinion is not valid sorry

[@Charles-lane277]

Another tip i will add,is use a solid wood door that's not hollow,solid wood doors deaden a lot of sound.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Very true

[@MaxGabriel1996]

I rent at a building with a ton of other musicians and the drummer across the hall makes it impossible to work. I can say with certainly my door is where most of the noise is coming in from - how would you suggest beefing up my door, since I am not allowed to switch it for a new one?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Add as much mass as possible and make sure it is airtight

[@CrispinStichart]

I recently tried soundproofing my bedroom door, and what worked for me was: 1) a 1/4 inch sheet of MLV attached to the inside of the door with double sided tape (with the side and top edges overlapping the gap between the door and frame) 2) weather stripping all around the frame 3) a sweeper to seal the bottom gap All in all, about $100 and 3 hours of my time. It was a *massive* improvement.

[@emilye709]

Please tell me how to soundproof the floor of my ADU from bass and mufflers from cars.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Okay, start with my soundproofing workshop. That will help you out a lot.

[@NobleCreatorr]

so if this isnt great, then what even should we use? i have an open gap that i want to cover and block most of that noise and light coming in, its 118" x 20.25" x 3 5/8", my apartment room is "semi private" aka the divider doesnt reach the tap how should i fill it/ cover it without using construction or putting holes in

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Good ole drywall works well

[@NobleCreatorr]

@@soundproofyourstudio kinda cant do drywall, no construction allowed and such, i ended up doing cardboard and duct tape to create a light barrier, can still hear him unfortunately

[@blackbirdbeatle]

I'm always curious why they don't put in a common example of a wall assembly, where you have a party wall. Is it fair to assume, all else being equal, that if you have the STC 57 assembly, but your side is the one with the double 5/8" drywall, that you'll get somewhere between 57 and 63?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Not sure I follow. Ideally all walls are equal STC all the way around. Regardless of party wall.

[@Cowpiepizza4]

This is true for soundproofing in a recording studio where you care about sound coming in, it is not true for soundproofing an entertainment room or home theater where your focus is on sound going out.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Isolation both ways is still important in studios and home theaters.

[@johnd6287]

Also you can do what this hotel in nyc did and just framed another high quality soundproof window stacked on the interior side of the old window. So its like 8 panes of glass

[@soundproofyourstudio]

8 panes of glass is a lot of mass!

[@timstephenson3382]

I have a window in the room where I record. My thought was to add some never-hardens caulk around it and staple double-thick MLV over the window (airtight). And replace my door with a stout and heavy plywood/fiberglass/plywood sandwich (with gaskets and floor sweeper. And live with the walls as they are. Thoughts?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I did a video on window plugs. I would recommend checking it out.

[@JP5466]

I don't have a studio, but my mancave must have peace and quiet from neighbors and passing cars blasting music. Cheap as possible... I used 1/2" hard plywood over my interior hollow core basement door and weather stripping and it made a world of difference. The middle barrier sound wall is 5/8" drywall on top of MLV on top of 1/2" drywall, Rockwool behind that and another 5/8" drywall on top of that. Very quiet.

[@Blind_Smithy]

Isnt green glue renown to be shit for sound proofing? every lab test ive watched shows it to be worse than most commerical fire retardant adhesives whicha re much cheaper.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I would love to see the tests you are looking at. I am recommending it less and less now. I don’t think it makes as big a difference as we are led to believe. Again the lab tests should prove all this one way or another.

[@DeForest]

Looking to soundproof my drum room in my home studio. This was helpful info! Thanks

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ALJessica]

But wouldn't mass loaded vinyl be good for floors and ceilings? since there are no doors in either ^^

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Mass loaded vinyl could be good for either, but my real point is you don’t need it. People are putting more emphasis on this product rather than the method of building. Does that make sense?

[@joeyvega01]

Can we use Green Glue or Mass Loaded Vinyl to somehow help soundproof our door?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Sure. Mass is best. Green glue can’t hurt.

[@Casey_and_Cars]

100% incorrect. MLV is amazing. Install it prior to drywall or plywood.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

After reading Philip Newell MLV is great for low end acoustics. Not sure I would still isolate with it. It’s just costly. Honestly, nothing beats two masonry walls.

[@chrisbeaven6389]

You're forgetting one important thing... impedance. MLV affects impedance much more than GG. Both are effective if used correctly though. You are also not taking into account whats on the other side of each wall. Different walls call for different assemblies.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yes that makes sense. I’m not sure what you mean by impedance.

[@Lenevor]

Hit the J

[@Unbreakable1986]

I'm not hearing a reason why MLV on both sides of the door wouldn't work or why you wouldn't use Green Glue to mount the MLV

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I wouldn’t recommend doing that.

[@audfrknaveen2256]

Please correct me if I'm wrong. The workshop video doesn't have a scroll bar or fast forward option. Is that the way it is .....or am I missing something... Your content is absolutely brilliant backed with scientific explanations by the way !!! Simply awesome 😊😊😊👍

[@soundproofyourstudio]

That is the way it is. I may change that at some point, but for now it is meant to keep you focused on following the workshop in real time. Thanks for watching and I am so glad you have found the content helpful.

[@audfrknaveen2256]

@@soundproofyourstudio ok ok understood 😊😊😊😊👍 while watching, at a few times I wanted to go back by 2-3 minutes and listen some points again. It didn't allow. Hence the question. Nothing major though.... All your videos are wonderful!!! 😊😊 and without any snake oil 😂😂

[@soundproofyourstudio]

@@audfrknaveen2256 glad all the videos help. Yes, I am trying to teach this stuff in a simple practical manner that gets results for DIY musicians.

[@usa5439]

Youre basically saying that unless the doors have the same rating then it's a waste of time. But what if its an interior door to the home and all your sound is coming from outside. Having better soundproof walls WOULD help. And you didnt really disprove that MLV works you just said the green glue double method works a little better, according to green glues own data.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Then do what you want my friend. I’m just here to share what I know.

[@user-need.advicee]

Does anyone know if an insulated panel would work against engine noise or mass loaded vinyl?? Someone on Reddit recommended me in using it on my window

[@soundproofyourstudio]

One product won’t work alone. It is a complete system

[@user-need.advicee]

@@soundproofyourstudio how so a complete system?

[@rvanbeau2009]

In a typically built room remove the door casing and look what is behind it. Air or sprayfoam most likely. Even if you have a solid door I would expect sound is seeping through around its perimeter. Why does no one talk about this?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

This is why it is wise to build your door frame from scratch.

[@rvanbeau2009]

@@soundproofyourstudioSo far the recommendations I have found are to fill the gaps between the jamb and side walls with weather stripping, then spray foam, and then accoustical foam. Has anyone seen any better material to use?

[@GRIPANDSLIP]

I came across this video because I'm trying to figure out how to sound proof my bedroom door. So I'm guessing stick MLV to it with green glue?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

You could. I would watch my soundproof Door videos to learn more about how to do that.

[@garthzader]

So build an extra wall instead of using MLV to achieve the same effect? So glad you have the space to build at least an extra entire 4” wall inside your room. I don’t suppose you can put your full free course on YT instead of gathering our personal data on your website to get to the “free” video(s)?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching! I don’t offer a free course anymore. I just have a workshop. This is how I make a very meager living and I cannot give everything away for free and still deliver high quality content week after week. Sorry you feel this way.

[@AirborneRATT]

I think that by soundproofing the ceiling to my basement theater, I'm directing where the sound leaks. I can agree that the door to my basement will leak sound and as such I have no choice but to mitigate as much as I can. That said, If I can reduce how much sound gets to my living room upstairs, MLV and Green glue may be good choices. Sound at the doorway to the basement will be louder but I gotta think that its better than bleeding from the floor upstairs. I feel that your logic in this is to toss the baby with the bath water. I will evaluate your stance going forward but I don't see it now. For my basement ceiling, I'm still looking at MLV and Green Glue along with mineral wool insulation to keep sound going up into my floors. With my door being my weak link, I still think that the rest should be controlled. Until I see this differently. I appreciate the opposing view.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Fair enough. You can use all these products. I take the stance is it the most effective love and cost efficient method. Three to four layers of drywall on the ceiling would most likely work better, but does take up more space.

[@AirborneRATT]

@@soundproofyourstudioI respect that. I have an added issue of a low(er) ceiling height. While cost is a factor so too is physical space. I'm still considering your advice.

[@carsella11]

Yeah. So, because the door is a relatively small aperture, its not going to completely compromise the entire room.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Have you built soundproof rooms before? The door is the weakest link regardless of size.

[@grumpyguss]

1. Green Glue is no better than Roberts 6280 which is available for a tiny fraction of the cost. All you need is a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. 2. Mass Loaded Vinyl should ALSO be used as it adds mass which is ALSO helpful. You'll notice that decoupling and double walls are the most effective but very few people can afford all that. Each thing you add to the overall build will help.

[@huangwee3465]

I agree with your points without disrespecting MLV

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yeah MLV has its uses for sure.

[@madoksback]

This only applies to people wanting to build a studio not people that want to increase the sound proof between stud walls and MLV if fine its like its all rubish because your walls are more sound proof than your door so MLV is bad

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Honestly you can use MLV but it costs $3/square foot. If you want to add 5-10k to you build cost for what is probably not much of a difference go ahead and do it. My main stance these days is the cost vs benefit.

[@wh0tube]

I did not hear a thing you said because I have soundproofed my ears with MLV. I rest my case! 😉

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Haha right on

[@JasonEllingsworth]

I think a lot of people are less worried about walls, and more worried about floors and ceilings. Doors don't matter here. For example, I am making a finished room in my basement, and I need to isolate foot traffic from above.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yes impact noise is a different measurement and different from soundproofing an entire room.

[@bartzed4305]

I have old brick walls that are very conducive to sounds from the other flat, pretty sure MLV and an extra layer of drywall will make a big difference

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Are you sound isolating or just trying to treat acoustics or both?

[@bartzed4305]

@@soundproofyourstudio sound isolating

[@pitbladdoassociatesltd]

You’re right but then you’re wrong. Are you preventing sound getting in or out. Whats on the other side of the door and the walls. Take a square room with 1 door. If you have a noise on the opposite side of the wall which is parallel to the wall with the door, that noice has to travel through that wall system before it has to get to the door. So it will all depend on the layout of the area you are wanting to protect against sound. If it was a busy road, you'd want to put a solid wall with no door on that side, and have. the door on the "quieter" side. Come off a street through a door, to then walk through another doorway with a STC 57 doorway in a STC 72 wall into a corridor that is ST72 round the corner through another ST57 door then your distance between doors will make a considerable difference

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching

[@donovans6472]

i''m guessing this is going to be a lesson that i'm going to have to learn by experimenting

[@soundproofyourstudio]

You could try MLV or adding drywall or a layer of drywall with green glue or quietrock. Really it’s not ideal, but mass and acoustic caulk may help. Good luck!

[@GlynTaylor]

it worked for me very very very well

[@wiiiz3]

which lb mlv did you use?

[@mendel621]

Hey thanks for this information. However I'm a little confused. In previous videos you've recommended using green glue, with a double wall system and then using two fully weather stripped air tight solid core communicating doors. I dont think you mention making the two doors any heavier? Unless im missing something?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I am continually learning and shifting what I think is best. Sometimes things I said in the past may not be my current thoughts right now.

[@mendel621]

​@@soundproofyourstudio Totally fair. Really appreciate your videos and always replying to comments....its been really helpful for my build.

[@orlandoherrera7443]

I used mlv then, r-15 sound proofing mineral wool, then 1/2 quiet rock then green glue with another layer of 5/8 regular board .. thats how you kick the sounds ass

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Sounds like a good acoustic panel but I bet two walls would isolate better.

[@lhaaa1059]

Great practical information !

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad you think so!

[@Jono1982]

The party walls I want to soundproof have no windows or doors.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching

[@wildmilne]

How about the vents for HVAC as a weak link?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

No the vents in my system actually made my wall even more soundproof.

[@t.m.gmusic9771]

Iac doors are extremely expensive when you start getting into the 50s stc rating they can go from 13k a door to 21k a door but they are worth every penny you will have no leaks from your room threw the doors once they install and drop the seal it’s nothing but air tight in the room if you have the right build

[@soundproofyourstudio]

A 20k door! I think that is a bit crazy haha. I

[@t.m.gmusic9771]

@@soundproofyourstudio for higher rated stc doors from vibration products the doors can cost 20k stc rated 55 and higher it’s a whole different build when you start building world class commercial recording studios

[@soundproofyourstudio]

@@t.m.gmusic9771 for the DIY home studio that will never be an option, but good to know about.

[@bhadz100]

I need your recommendation, live in a busy street in an older house. How do I minimize the road noise if I don’t want to go back to the studs? Should I put MLV, 5/8 drywall on top of the existing wall

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I wouldn't recommend doing any soundproofing if you are not willing to go down to the studs and look at the whole room not just the walls. Wish I could give a better answer.

[@TargetAcquisition]

You can use MLV over existing drywall. It can be painted with Latex paint and it’s easily removed. I did the exact same thing for my 11th floor condo in downtown Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

[@bhadz100]

@@TargetAcquisition how thick and was it effective?

[@serhatcansevim9920]

It looks like it is flammable

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Could be not sure

[@jlchd]

ADDING GG= THE MASS OF 4 LAYERS OF DRYWALL I´m inclined to believe that 4 layers of drywall glued with carpet glue, will perform better than a GG sandwich. Specially in low frequencies. Even in materials, it will actually cost less. You need MASS to stop a bass amp and a kick drum. There is not much you can do about it.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I don’t really know much about carpet glue. It is used to glue carpets not stop sound. Jack of all ministries says it works as good as carpet glue, but I think there should be some more research.

[@jlchd]

@@soundproofyourstudio I don´t mean it has sound proof properties at all. It´s just any glue to evenly bond the 4 layers of drywall, which definitely give you more mass, that works better for low freqs.

[@daviddavidsonn3578]

5:10 graph done by green glue company, shows better results for green glue...WOW!....I wonder why.... also you have TWO soundproof doors for a studio. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching

[@silverismoney]

Every sound proofer: use mlv (and other stuff). Zoomie youtuber: DoNt uSe MlV. ok kid. whatever.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Not everyone. It helps, but is very expensive. I have found through Phillip Newell that MLV is much better in your acoustic wall versus the isolation wall.

[@jeffp5991]

I think we call this click bait. "Don't buy MLV because your door sucks worse than your walls and ceiling." You could just move your studio into a bank vault to fix that problem. Of course the only way to truly soundproof is to create a vacuum, so there's really no reason to even try!

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I disagree, yes soundproof is misleading. Sound isolation is more accurate. It is worth it as someone who works in a soundproof room.

[@billyalexander5645]

There seems to be no agreement on soundproofing whatsoever

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Haha, well there isn’t on the internet, but there are methods that continue to work that are tried and true.

[@billyalexander5645]

@@soundproofyourstudio what would you suggest to soundproof a door, it's not my door so I can't get a heavier one or alter it in anyway, it's an old door that doesn't get opened so I can put something against it, what would you suggest? Is there something I could build to place against the door to block noise from leaving and entering? Thanks

[@patrickhalbeisen1440]

IS IT possible to soundproof 130db?

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yes, but probably cost prohibitive

[@randy8324]

If i put a cardboard box over my air compressor, it cuts the noise by a lot, despite there being massive gaps uncovered by the box. By this video's logic there should be no noise reduction because of the openings. So this video is nonsense.

[@tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

I did the MLV thing while living in Texas. Total waste of money I could of spent on my door instead :).

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Ahhhh I wish I could share your sentence with all of my students! Everyone is being fed MLV on the internet and they don't know how it works.

[@tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

@@soundproofyourstudio I had a very persuasive salesman at a 'reputable' supplier for soundproofing oversell it. And the cost... phew...

[@Gleamings]

"According to Lab Tests done by the >>>>Green Glue company>Green Glue

[@nathanscandella6075]

Totally flawed premise, presented simply by asserting it to be true. The idea that the weakest link defines your system, that walls, doors need to be consistent. Not how physics works, for sound or thermal insulation. Does the weak link hurt you? Sure. Does that render additional strength elsewhere useless? No.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Fair point, but it still is 5 or more dollars per square foot. Cost is a huge factor

[@to6941]

Perhaps you should have said this was about insulating doors

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I think I may make a part two with some other points on cost, installation difficulties and focus a bit more on the test data.

[@Adventist_Waves]

Great Video Thanks mate!

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Glad you liked it!

[@Reviirifi]

Dude you need to check your data cause you are wrong on soooooo many points here.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Happy to check anything out. What in particular are you noticing?

[@MattLunser]

Thanks for the videos! Learning a ton! Here's a question for anyone to help. I'm building a detached 24x24 garage with an office/studio on the 2nd floor. I'm not trying to sound proof as much reduce noise bleed out of two sides. One side faces my house the the front faces a neighbor's house. The other two sides face large wooded area, so i'm not concerned too much. Not worried about the door either although your point in this video is well taken. I have (3) 3x5 windows that I know will have the largest bleed. I'm planning on making removable "plugs" for those that I think will help dramatically using MDF and wood planking to add density and esthetics. I'm not concerned if a LITTLE noise is heard from outside as this is more of a rehearsal room. Mostly, I'm trying not to disturb my neighbors about 100 yrds away. With all of that being said, I was considering 1 layer of sheetrock, a laver of MLV and a layer 5/8" wood planking/slat wall. I don't believe the planks are as dense as sheetrock, but they are pretty heavy. Basically sawdust and glue with a laminate. With the window plugs, hoping it would be good enough. Again, if you can't hear much 50ft away from the garage, I would be tickled pink. You point out that green glue is better than MFV, so now I'm not sure. Any recommendations for my situation and goal would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

I would definitely recommend singing up for a soundproof clarity call: www.soundproofyourstudio.com/Step1. Your situation may not need much, by why waste good money after bad when you don’t know if you will get the results you want?

[@MattLunser]

@@soundproofyourstudio I think I just might do that. ;-) thanks

[@HomeSettingsLLC]

awesome. common sense stuff , good call

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Thanks for watching

[@Stigmaru]

Why not just use MLV on your door?😅

[@soundproofyourstudio]

It only weighs 2lb per square foot versus 8 from lead or sheet metal.

[@Meow-gg1zt]

It is ridiculous how you arrived at a statement telling people not to use MLV when you actually mean to tell people to ensure doors and windows are sound proofed too. Unscientific.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Yeah i somewhat agree with you these days. I now use MLV sometimes when space is an issue. I still prefer using drywall since is to easier to work with far less expensive.

[@finanzferdinand9874]

This guy has some serious secret discussions going on then. Hmmm.

[@soundproofyourstudio]

Not sure what you mean.

[@finanzferdinand9874]

@@soundproofyourstudio All that soundproofing, must have plenty secrets unless your just spanking the monkey to g@y porn