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Podcasts aren't just for influencers, journalists, and comedians anymore; they're now part of the k-12 education system, with many high schools and middle schools now offering podcasting as part of the media studies curriculum, as an extracurricular activity, or as a tool for class projects.

Here's some tips to make sure your school's podcast studio has great sound:

1. Find the Right Room

Larger rooms (like auditoriums, cafeterias, or gymnasiums) tend to be more reflective of sound waves. That means echoes and reverberations that are difficult to control. Try to find a smaller room with low ceilings instead.

Ideally, you'll also use a room that is situated away from intrusive noises. For instance, a room or office attached to the library will likely have less outside noise to contend with than a room attached to a main hallway or gathering space, like a cafeteria or common area. Be mindful of HVAC systems, too - air conditioners and heaters can add high-pitched frequencies that microphones often capture.

2. Add Sound Absorption

Once you've found the right location for your studio or podcast room, review the space for hard surfaces. Glass, concrete, drywall - these surfaces reflect sound waves around the space, creating echoes and reverberations that will muddy your podcast's sound quality.

If your podcast studio is susceptible to such echoes and reverberations, add porous materials such as carpets, upholstered furniture, and curtains to absorb those sound waves.

Want to take your sound solution to the next level? Acoustic panels are specifically engineered to absorb sound within a space to reduce noise and improve sound clarity. Each Audimute acoustic panel is made with our eco-C-tex® sound absorption material; it's eco-friendly and lab-proven to absorb an average of 95% of echoes, reverberations, and mid to high frequencies. Fabric Acoustic Panels are durable and cleanable, while our Custom Image Acoustic Panels can be printed with your school's logo, its mascot, or your podcast's name to add that extra touch of school spirit (and branding!).

3. Use the Right Microphones

Unidirectional microphones, or microphones that capture sound from the direction they're facing, are generally better for podcasts than omnidirectional mics, which capture sound, including background noise, from throughout the space. Of course, in a room that has been properly treated for acoustical quality, background noise and echo is less of an issue; that said, if you're just trying to capture the voices of those speaking, unidirectional is still the way to go.

4. Use Headphones

Wearing headphones while recording your podcast is a great way to keep track of your audio quality in real time. Is your volume too low? Are you too close to the mic? Is there a glitch somewhere disrupting the sound quality? By wearing headphones during the recording of the podcast, you can identify and resolve issues in the moment instead of trying to fix them in post-production. Headphones also cut down on echo from any speakers within the room playing back audio during the recording.


Ensure your podcast studio is set up for acoustic success so students can instead focus on producing great content! And if you need free advice on how to set up your studio, contact an Audimute Acoustic Specialist at 1.866.505.MUTE or contact us here.

Many of the great cathedrals and temples of the world were built with acoustics in mind. Vaulted ceilings, towering walls, and hard surfaces of stone, marble, and glass weren't just awe-inspiring visual elements; they also reflected sound to allow sermons, chants, and songs to resonate around the space so all in attendance could hear them.

Nowadays, the acoustic challenges in houses of worship are more about sound clarity instead of volume. The very echoes that once elevated Gregorian chants now clash with modern amplification and sound systems, burying live music and voice under reverberations.

Added to that is the rise in adaptive reuse for modern houses of worship: many congregations are now meeting in former retail or commercial spaces that weren't originally built with acoustics in mind.

Here are some tips to make sure you're getting the best sound possible in your house of worship:

1. Pay Attention to Speaker Placement

In many modern church services, more traditional elements like choirs and church organs are now sharing the stage (literally, in some cases) with rock-influenced instrumentation and vocals. Production-wise, it frequently feels more like a pop concert, and the sound must be managed as such.

It's not enough to have top-of-the-line speakers to amplify song and speech: the speakers themselves must be positioned correctly for an optimal listening experience. Speakers positioned too close to walls or corners can reflect off those surfaces to create muddy sound, while speakers not strategically angled toward the congregation can result in dead zones where the sound is not being clearly heard.

If possible, set up your sound amplification system so speakers are even with the ear level of the seated attendees. Also consider placing additional speakers towards the rear of the room so those in the back rows don't miss out.

2. Install Sound-Absorbing Acoustic Panels

The large walls and high ceilings of a sanctuary or auditorium can easily result in sound waves reflecting off those surfaces to create echoes and reverb. Acoustic panels can be installed along the side walls and back wall of these spaces to absorb these echoes and reverberations to improve sound clarity.

Fabric Acoustic Panels are especially excellent due to their durability (they can also be cleaned or vacuumed to remove dust and soil buildup). If you're looking for acoustic panels that blend in with the interior of your auditorium, our AcoustiColor® acoustic panels can be coated to match any paint color from Sherwin-Williams. Direct mount acoustic ceiling tiles and panels can also be affixed for sound absorption from above that doesn't disrupt any sightlines. And custom image acoustic panels can be specially printed with religious iconography or inspirational phrases.

3. Incorporate Other Sound-Absorbing Furnishings

Acoustic panels aren't the only things that can absorb sound! Anything that's thick and porous can trap sound waves. The addition of carpeting, curtains, or upholstered seating will help soak up echoes and reverb.

Houses of worship are an essential part of our communities, and they deserve the best acoustics so those in attendance can feel the faith and fellowship without compromised sound quality. 

If your house of worship is in need of acoustic help, contact us at 1.866.505.MUTE or complete this form for a free Audimute acoustic consultation!

You don't have to sacrifice style when it comes to sound management. That's why we wrap our Fabric Acoustic Panels in stunning, high-quality Anchorage, FR701, and Synopsis fabric from Guilford of Maine. And it's not just what's on the outside that counts: each panel, made with our eco-C-tex® sound absorption material, has an NRC of .95, meaning it absorbs 95% of echoes, reverberations, and mid to high frequencies it comes into contact with.

Looking for design inspiration for your sound solution? Here's some of our favorite Fabric Acoustic Panels inspired by October:

Fabric Acoustic Panels - Anchorage - Pumpkin

October means Halloween, and Halloween means pumpkins. Our Fabric Acoustic Panel wrapped in Pumpkin Anchorage fabric brings together orange and brown to create a panel that evokes autumn leaves, harvest moons, and jack o' lanterns. It's an excellent acoustic addition to spaces with cooler shades and neutral colors.

Fabric Acoustic Panels - Anchorage - Onyx

Our Onyx Anchorage Fabric Acoustic Panel is deep, rich, and versatile: it can blend in with dark spaces or stand out when paired with lighter colors. It's perfect year-round, but we're loving it this October because it reminds us of Halloween nights and jack o' lantern smiles.

Fabric Acoustic Panels - FR701 - Opal

Opal is October's birthstone, and our Fabric Acoustic Panel of the same name showcases a similarly elusive "play-of-color" appearance. At first glance, it seems to be a simple creamy white, but upon closer inspection, there is an almost-shimmering quality to the textile, as if blues and greens and silvers were just beneath the surface. It will make any space look and sound better.

When it comes to blocking sound, mass is everything. That's why concrete and brick are so good at soundproofing. But there are also sound-blocking materials that can be added to existing walls, floors, and structures to limit sound transmission. Mass Loaded Vinyl, or MLV, is a popular sound barrier material across the sound management industry. Peacemaker® is Audimute's greener take on traditional MLV.

What is Mass Loaded Vinyl?

Mass Loaded Vinyl is a thin sheet of vinyl with tiny chemical compounds added to increase mass, and, therefore, increase sound-blocking properties.

What is Peacemaker?

Peacemaker is Audimute's eco-friendlier alternative to MLV. It is constructed with 90% post-consumer material, including recycled tire rubber, while also being flexible and durable. 

We offer two different thicknesses of Peacemaker:

Our 6mm Peacemaker Soundproofing Underlayment is intended for installation beneath a finished flooring, where it can significantly reduce the amount of vibration and impact noise. Think of it as a shock absorber.

Our 3mm Peacemaker Sound Barrier can be installed between walls, ceilings, and floors to significantly reduce airborne sound transmission. It's denser than the 6mm Peacemaker, which means it's more effective at blocking airborne sound.

How Does Peacemaker Compare to MLV in Effectiveness?

Sound Transmission Class, or STC, measures the ability of a material to block sound. The higher the STC rating, the better the sound-blocking. So, if the STC rating is 25, very little sound is getting blocked. At STC ratings of 45 and above, sound transmission is significantly reduced.

It can be difficult to compare the STC of both materials because different weights and thicknesses, as well as different applications (drywall, etc.), will result in different soundproofing effectiveness. That said, our Peacemaker Soundproofing Underlayment - 6 mm was tested over a 6" concrete slab with Click-Lock LVT flooring, resulting in a STC Rating of 50 and an IIC (or Impact Insulation Class) Rating of 57. Different MLV applications will result in different STC ratings, but we have found that Peacemaker is comparable in effectiveness.

How Do I Install Peacemaker?

Peacemaker typically requires new construction for installation, whether in floors and walls. Click those links to read more about the actual installation steps. In both instances, however, seam sealing tape or acoustical sealant should be used to limit places where sound can get through.

A quieter life at home or at work without excessive sound transmission is a goal for many of us. And whether you opt for Peacemaker or another material on the market for your soundproofing needs, be sure to exercise safety and caution during installation. If you have any questions about Peacemaker or top soundproofing practices, please call us at 1.866.505.MUTE!

At Audimute, we take a holistic approach to our eco-friendly sound solutions: it's not enough for our sound absorption and soundproofing products to make your room sound better; we want them to look great, too, and to allow you to use your space the way it was intended.

Sometimes that solution is accomplished with something as simple as a few 2' x 3' Fabric Acoustic Panels that we send to you for installation on a wall using our Hang Tabs.

Sometimes that solution calls for a custom image acoustic panel or AcoustiColor® Acoustic Shapes coated in your choice of color from Sherwin-Williams. Sometimes it calls for a ceiling cloud or baffle.

And sometimes more is needed.

That's where Audimute Design Services (and our other add-on offerings) come in!

Read more about Audimute's design and custom engineering services.

What is Sound Masking?

In the acoustics industry, we often talk about the ABCs of sound management:

A - Absorption. Absorption uses soft, porous materials to absorb sound waves and reduce echoes, reverberations, and reflections within a space. Acoustic panels are a popular example of sound absorption.

B - Blocking. Blocking uses materials with mass and density to prevent sound waves from entering or exiting a space. Sound barriers or thick walls made of concrete are popular examples of sound blocking.

C - Covering. Covering, or sound masking, uses ambient noise to cover, or mask, distracting background sounds.

How Does Sound Masking Work?

Unlike many sound solutions that focus on removing noise from a space, sound masking actually works in the opposite way: it adds sound to the space to make human speech less intelligible ... and therefore less distracting to those nearby.

Sound masking uses speakers that emit a soft, gentle sound (like that of airflow or a tranquil waterfall) to "mask" or "hide" noises at a certain frequency (usually within the range of human speech). Since our brains will naturally focus on human speech in quiet spaces, the addition of these sound masking systems allows our brains to treat distracting human speech or conversations as just part of the general ambient noise.

Is Sound Masking the Same as White Noise?

No. Sound masking is designed to be non-intrusive. It should blend in with the ambiance of a space but not completely overtake it. White noise, on the other hand, is meant to overpower all other noises within a space. It is similar to the sound of a staticky TV and usually does not match the frequency range of normal human speech.

What are the Benefits of Sound Masking?

By "hiding" loud human speech that would otherwise be clearly heard by those nearby, sound-masking applications reduce distraction, which, in turn, can increase focus and productivity. Sound-masking systems don't just benefit those overhearing this intelligible human speech; they also benefit whomever is doing the actual speaking, as their privacy is now enhanced by making it more difficult for others to eavesdrop.

Is Sound Masking Only for Human Speech?

No! Human speech is usually the target of most sound-masking applications BUT with proper engineering and specialized frequency-tuning, sound masking can also lessen the impact of noises from factory equipment, HVAC systems, electronics, and more.

Do I Need Additional Acoustic Products With Sound-Masking Systems?

Sound masking is highly effective at reducing distractions and improving speech privacy, but it’s just one component of an overall sound solution. Additional acoustic products as Acoustic Panels can help improve the quality of the masking by cutting down on rampant sound wave reflections from hard surfaces such as glass or concrete. And as with any sound management solution, amount and placement are key: if you don't have the proper quantity of sound emitters installed at the correct heights or positions within a space, you run the risk of having an unbalanced sound-masking solution that, in fact, solves nothing.

At Audimute, our Acoustic Specialists understand that sound masking is not a commodity; it is a skill and a strategy that involves design, customization, installation, and overall acoustic accountability. It's why we use it as one component in -- and not the entirety of -- an overall sound management solution. Contact us to learn how sound masking can improve your workplace or business!

Great acoustics are important in any space, but they are especially crucial (and challenging) in school auditoriums and lecture halls, where the size of the room itself and the audience within it often call for an extensive acoustic treatment.

Here are some tips to make sure you're getting the best sound possible in your auditorium:

1. Pay Attention to Speaker Placement

If you're using speakers in your auditorium, placement is everything. Speakers positioned too close to walls or corners can reflect off those surfaces to create muddy sound, while speakers not strategically angled toward the audience can result in dead zones where the sound is not being clearly heard.

If possible, set up your sound amplification system so speakers are even with the ear level of the seated audience. Also consider placing additional speakers towards the rear of the auditorium so those in the back rows don't miss out.

2. Install Sound-Absorbing Acoustic Panels

The large walls and high ceilings of an auditorium can easily result in sound waves reflecting off those surfaces to create echoes and reverb. Acoustic panels can be installed along the side walls and back wall of the auditorium to absorb these echoes and reverberations to improve sound clarity.

Fabric Acoustic Panels are especially excellent for high-traffic areas such as auditoriums due to their durability (they can also be cleaned or vaccuumed to remove dust and soil buildup). If you're looking for acoustic panels that blend in with the interior of your auditorium, our AcoustiColor® panels can be coated to match any paint color from Sherwin-Williams.



If your auditorium has a very high ceiling or limited wall space, acoustic ceiling applications such as clouds, baffles, or direct mount tiles can help absorb the sound from above.

3. Incorporate Other Sound-Absorbing Furnishings

Acoustic panels aren't the only things that can absorb sound! Anything that's thick and porous can trap sound waves. For auditoriums, the addition of carpeting, curtains, or upholstered seating will help soak up echoes and reverb.

The bigger the space, the bigger the acoustic challenges can be! But with strategic speaker placement and sound-absorbing fixtures, you can make sure the sound in your auditorium is sharp and clear from the front row all the way to the back.

Over the past several decades, there's been a big global shift toward eco-friendly, sustainable, "green" practices. Some efforts are everyday in nature, such as opting for reusable shopping bags instead of those made of plastic; other efforts are more ambitious, such as ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the push for LEED certifications in building construction.

"Going Green": Do Consumers Care?

In a word: yes.

A 2022 report found that 65% of U.S. buyers consider a product's sustainability when making a purchase, while a 2023 study concluded that 77% of Gen Z members and 72% of Millennials were willing to pay more for sustainable products.

Eco-Friendly Acoustic Products

Driven by this consumer demand and their own interests in more sustainable practices, many businesses have adapted their manufacturing processes and product lines to be "greener"; the acoustics industry is no different.

Where foam and fiberglass acoustic panels (both made with non-renewable raw materials) once dominated the market, today's acoustic products use more sustainable elements like recycled PET, mycelium, and natural fibers for their sound absorption properties.

Audimute: Innovation in Sustainable Acoustics

Audimute is proud to be one of the industry leaders for green acoustics. The core of our sound management solutions is eco-C-tex®, a sound absorption material comprised of a blend of recycled cotton and cellulose fibers, the majority of which are post-consumer recycled newspaper. The eco-C-tex manufacturing process itself is also eco-friendly, expending only 1/10 of the energy required to produce fiberglass and 1/40 of the energy used to create foam.

We also dramatically reduce waste by repurposing discarded pieces of eco-C-tex from custom-cut shapes and signs for other acoustic installations.

On the soundproofing side of Audimute, our Peacemaker® soundproofing product is made from 90% post-consumer material, including recycled tire rubber. It's an eco-friendlier alternative to Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV), which uses petroleum-based plastics and industrial fillers.

Audimute is always looking for new ways to deliver quality sound-absorbing panels and sound-blocking products that are also environmentally responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly. We're big believers in the steps that all of us — from individuals to companies to countries — can take to create a happier, healthier planet.

Anyone who has ever lived in an apartment, duplex, dorm room, or any other type of multi-unit housing knows that noise from fellow tenants can be an ongoing issue. In fact, a 2017 survey from HotPads found 26% of renters regretted their apartments' noise level, while a 2022 study determined 54% of renters surveyed wanted some form of "noise insulation" for their home.

Simply put, noise levels and sound containment are a huge issue for renters. Unfortunately, there's usually nothing they can do about it: soundproofing involves increasing mass and significantly reducing air flow to keep sound from getting through. It usually requires new construction such as tearing up walls or adding a drop ceiling, and most leases and rental agreements explicitly forbid the tenant doing any renovation or construction work on the unit without first obtaining the permission of the owner. That permission is unlikely to be granted.

The short-term nature of apartment living is also a deterrent. Even if a renter had permission from the landlord and could spend the time and money to install soundproofing materials, they'd be fixing a problem that would no longer be theirs once they moved out of the apartment.

All that said, let's look at a few ways to control sound entering your apartment.

1. Talk to Your Landlord

First things first: reach out to your landlord (or the property management company that handles your apartment) to discuss the sound issues you're facing. If these noise complaints have been persistent among other residents in the building or former occupants of your apartment, your landlord may decide it's finally time to install soundproofing or noise-blocking materials to resolve the problem once and for all.

2. Add Sound-Blocking Materials

Let's assume your landlord is NOT going to add soundproofing materials and also has NOT given you permission to do so. You're on your own, and you need some way to mitigate the sound you're hearing. And you need solutions that won't cause permanent damage to the unit you're renting.

Start by identifying places in your apartment where sound is entering. Doors and windows are two big culprits. 

For doors, consider adding a door sweep or some kind of door seal kit. Since sound waves can travel anywhere that air can go, the gaps around a door are particularly vulnerable to sound transmission. Caulk and weatherstripping are also options, but will be more difficult to remove if you move out of the apartment.

Similarly, gaps around windows should be addressed. Thick curtains hung over windows may help to dampen some sound entering from the outside. There are also DIY window plugs or inserts made with mass-loaded vinyl that can help. While these DIY solutions may be more cost-effective than off-the-shelf solutions, they also require labor and tools, and as such may not be an option for everyone.

isolé® Sound Barrier Sheet from Audimute was designed to be mounted over doors and windows to block sound. Instead of a layer of Mass-Loaded Vinyl, isolé uses Peacemaker®, an eco-friendlier alternative made with 90% post-consumer material. It's also portable, allowing you to take it with you when you move out of your apartment.

Peacemaker is also available on its own in 3mm and 6mm thicknesses. It can be used for DIY soundproofing solutions such as window plugs, or it can be applied in more permanent construction-heavy soundproofing solutions such as decoupling walls, adding a drop ceiling, or subflooring. Again, however, these installations usually require thousands of dollars and permission from your landlord, and, in many cases, your local government.

3. Talk to Your Neighbors

It's the simplest solution ... and maybe the most difficult. But it's usually easier to control sound by going to the source of it. If your upstairs neighbor's footsteps are easily heard in your apartment, for example, talk with them about adding a thick rug to the floor area above your unit. Similarly, if their TV or stereo can easily be heard from your apartment, talk with them about lowering the volume or agreeing to certain "quiet hours".

There's unfortunately not an easy solution for soundproofing in apartments or dorm rooms, but by working with your neighbors, reaching out to your landlord, or adding temporary solutions over doors, windows, and other sound entry points yourself, you may be able to find a solution that makes the noise a little more tolerable.

We tend to think of acoustic panels as being wall applications: pick out a panel, hang it up on a wall, let it do its thing. And in most cases, due to such factors as points of reflection and ease of installation, they are.

But acoustic panels for ceilings are also an effective option, especially for spaces with limited availability on walls (such as gymnasiums, open floor offices, or hallways) or with vaulted ceilings.

Here's a guide to ceiling acoustic panels and how they can help your sound issues.

Types of Ceiling Acoustic Panels:

1. Direct Mount Tiles and Panels

Direct mount acoustic ceiling tiles and panels are flush-mounted directly to a ceiling to absorb sound waves coming from below. Since the products are attached directly to the ceiling, they take up less vertical space or headroom than other ceiling applications. Different tools or products can be used to affix the tile to the ceiling. Here at Audimute, we prefer Titebond® Acoustic Ceiling Tile Adhesive or a Paslode® Brad Nailer for drywall ceiling applications.

2. Drop Ceiling Tiles

Drop ceiling tiles are placed between the tracks or grid of a suspended ceiling. When installed properly, the acoustic tile or panel will lay flat against the ceiling grid to then absorb sound waves coming from below.

3. Clouds

Acoustic ceiling clouds are panels hung horizontally from a ceiling (with an air gap in between) to absorb sound waves at two points: as sound waves travel toward the ceiling and then as they bounce off the ceiling and travel back toward the floor. Installation of acoustic ceiling clouds traditionally involves the use of cable hangers, hanging cords, and mounted ceiling hooks.

4. Baffles

Acoustic ceiling baffles are similar to acoustic ceiling clouds, but instead of a horizontal orientation, they are hung vertically from a ceiling to absorb sound on both sides of the panel. As with clouds, installation of baffles also involves the use of cords, hangers, and hooks. But unlike clouds, baffles are less likely to block lighting or air flow from above.

Choosing which acoustic ceiling product to use depends on multiple factors, including the layout of your space and the source of the sounds you are trying to control. But regardless of which one you choose, there are commonalities across all types.

What to Know About Ceiling Acoustic Panels:

1. As Effective as Wall Acoustic Panels

In terms of the absorption materials within them - whether it's wool, fiberglass, or Audimute's eco-C-tex® - wall acoustic panels and ceiling acoustic panels are essentially the same. How effective a ceiling panel might ultimately be compared to a wall panel really depends on how and where it's installed. 

2. They Can Blend In or Stand Out

Due to not being installed at eye level, ceiling acoustic products are much easier to hide in plain sight (if that's your goal). They can be coated to blend in with the paint color of the ceiling (such as our AcoustiColor® Direct Mount Tiles) or inserted into a grid as part of a drop ceiling. But they can also be outfitted with bright colors and printed graphics to become eye-catching decor elements.

3. Installation Can Be Difficult

Obviously, installation on a ceiling is trickier than installation on a wall. Depending on the height and layout of the space, as well as such elements as HVAC units or lighting fixtures, hanging or mounting acoustic ceiling panels could require anything from a ladder to a scissor-lift. The most important thing is to practice safety at all times; consider hiring a professional to help with the installation if it might be too challenging to do on your own.

4. Upkeep Can Be Challenging

Similarly, upkeep for acoustic ceiling panels can be difficult. If they need to be repaired or touched up for any reason, be sure to practice caution at all times to ensure the safety of you and those around you.

There's no shortage of amazing ceiling acoustic panels, tiles, clouds, and baffles. So don't be afraid to go to great heights to solve your sound problems!