Arts >> Music >> Recording Music

How to Soundproof Cubicles

Soundproofing a cubicle is the best and often the only way for aspiring musicians to practice without disturbing neighbors. The noise problem is compounded if you happen to live live in an apartment. Lead sheeting frequently used for soundproofing is too heavy and unwieldy to use in a small space such as a cubicle. The best material for isolating sound in a cubicle is mass-loaded vinyl (MLV). This is as equally effective at blocking sound as lead sheeting, but is much lighter and thinner.

Things You'll Need

  • Mass-loaded vinyl
  • Plasterboard, 1/4-inch thick
  • Foam, 1/4-inch thick
  • universal bonding compound
  • Tape measure
  • Paint roller
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the wall area of your cubicle to determine how much MLV, plasterboard and foam you will need. Buy the thinnest possible plasterboard, 1/4 inch, as space-saving is imperative in a cubicle. For the foam, buy double the amount of wall space you want to cover. Again, go for 1/4-inch thick foam.

    • 2

      Add water to the universal bonding compound, a gypsum-based compound for direct bonding plasterboard to walls, until it forms a liquid difficult to stir. Spread the compund over both sides of the MLV, using a paint roller, and attach foam padding. This is your soundproofing sheet. The foam is there to absorb sound waves stopped by the MLV.

    • 3

      Cover one side of your soundproofing sheet with universal bonding compound and hold it flat against the wall of your cubicle. Hold it until you can feel a bond form then leave it to dry. Continue until you have covered all wall space of your cubicle.

    • 4

      Spread universal bonding compound on the underside of a plasterboard sheet. Press the plasterboard against the exposed side of the soundproofing sheet. Wait until a bond is formed, as before, and then leave to dry. Continue until all sides of the cubicle have been covered.

Recording Music

Related Categories