The popularity of video and audio podcasts has drawn attention to the value of good acoustics and the importance of soundproofing the space you record in. Large, �˜echo-y�™ rooms make the audio hard to understand and difficult to listen to. In addition to the sound that moves to the camera directly, other sound waves travel from the point of origin out to reflective surfaces and back again. These reflections mix with the direct sound and distort the sound�™s clarity. The solution is to use sound-absorbing materials to capture reflections and prevent them from being recorded during the podcast. When properly installed, these specially designed sound-absorbent materials trap reflected sound waves, resulting in a clearer audio for your podcast. To achieve these results, we installed Owens Corning QuietZone� Noise Control Batts and SOLSERENE� Fabric Ceiling System to the ceiling above the workspace, to the wall behind the workspace and to three movable sound absorbing panels, which can be rolled into place, as needed. Here�™s how to do it.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Even if you live in a quiet neighborhood, laundry and dishwashers, hair dryers and even showers can make your house a noisy place. If you work at home, you know how important a quiet environment is especially when the kids are enjoying that fabulous new home theater. So, what s the best way to keep sound from going where you don t want it? You can absorb it, block it, break it or isolate it. Absorption dampens sound waves by converting them into weaker energy. Fiberglass batt insulation inside interior partitions actually converts sound to heat. Carpets, upholstered furniture and acoustical ceilings also help with sound absorption in large open areas. Blocking sound requires a barrier with enough mass to stop the air movement caused by airborne sound waves. you can block noise by using acoustical caulk in all gaps, double drywall, concrete walls or even lead sheeting. Breaking the path of the sound means removing the point of contact between the inside and outside so sound doesn t reverberate through the structure. Acoustic wall studs or a layer of foam under flooring allow the inner surface to float and isolate the noise. Even if you re not building a recording studio in your garage, there are lots of reasons to make noise control part of your next remodel. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob talks to Ken Lanoie of Owens Corning about adding sound attenuating insulation to the nursery. Lanoie describes the QuietZone Solserene Ceiling Fabric System used in the project. A Solserene ceiling is made up of three components, with high-density fiberglass boards to absorb sound installed in a track system that holds them in place. The boards are then covered with fabric. Lanoie reviews the installation process of the boards, followed by the fabric covering. After the boards are put in place, fabric is stretched over it and tucked behind the track, which has teeth to grab the fabric and secure it. QuietZone Solserene comes with a tacking knife to assist in the process. The system helps reduce the echo effect of noise in rooms with hardwood or stone floors, plaster walls, and other hard surfaces. The fabric is pulled so tight it looks like a normal plaster ceiling and can follow and architectural configuration, including angles, dormers, and rounded edges. It costs about six dollars per square foot.