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Soundproofing or Sound Absorption?

Many times at Audimute, we'll hear from folks who need help with "soundproofing." Their office is too echo-y, there's some high-frequency sound in their restaurant, they want to be able to hear their drums, etc. All completely valid acoustic concerns; except the solution they're looking for isn't soundproofing; it's sound-absorbing. 
 
At Audimute, we do both (more on that later). But let's delve into what those terms really mean. 
 
Soundproofing has become the easy, shorthand term for any kind of sound management solution, but it really only speaks to a specific kind: the total containment of a room or space so that no sound is getting in or out. 100% soundproofing is possible, but it can result in an acoustic environment so tightly regimented that it ceases to be comfortable (check out anechoic chambers for more).  
 
Maybe you don't want 100% soundproofing, but you do want to block some sound from getting into or out of a space. There are plenty of scenarios where where that's the case: 

  • You live in a house next to noisy train tracks
  • You own a loud rock venue and don't want your sound to bleed into the quiet coffeeshop next door 
  • You live in a house next to noisy train tracks and a loud rock club 
  • You own a loud rock club located inside a house next to a quiet coffeeshop by train tracks

...You get the idea. 
 
Soundproofing – in the truest sense - requires new construction: tearing up a wall, adding a false floor, etc. It requires a significant amount of time, money, and labor. In short, it can be done, but it calls for a lot of commitment.
 
Sound absorption, on the other hand, is the use of mounted products such as acoustic panels to absorb echoes, reverberations, and mid to high frequencies within a room (We often tell people to think of sound waves as water and a sound-absorbing acoustic panel as a giant sponge soaking up those sound waves). There's installation involved with sound-absorbing panels, but likely no construction. 
 
Let's futher explore the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption with some real-world scenarios featuring our friend, Audie: 
 
Audie wants to drum loudly in his home studio but he doesn't want to disturb his neighbors. 
Audie needs a soundproofing solution. (Like our Peacemaker® Sound Barrier – 3mm). 
 
Audie is drumming but his drums sound muddy due to echoes in his home studio. 
Audie needs a sound-absorbing solution. (Like our Sound Absorption Sheets). 
 
Here's another one: 
 
Audie's clients at work have a hard time hearing him during conference calls due to reverberations in his meeting room. 
Audie needs a sound-absorbing solution. (Like our Fabric Acoustic Panels). 
 
Audie's desk at work is constantly rumbling and shaking due to vibrations from the parking garage downstairs. 
Audie needs a soundproofing solution. (Like our Peacemaker® Soundproofing Underlayment – 6mm). 
 
One last one: 
 
Audie wants to drum loudly in his home studio but he doesn't want to disturb his neighbors AND he wants his drums to sound less echo-y in his home studio. 
Audie needs a sound-absorbing AND soundproofing solution (Like our 2-in-1 isolé® Sound Barrier Sheets). 
 
In summation, when it comes to soundproofing vs. sound absorption, here's a nifty little rhyme to help you remember the difference: 
 
If loud noise is coming through the walls, floor, or roofing 
Then the solution you want is soundproofing
But if echoes create distraction and distortion, 
Then the solution you want is sound absorption
 
Ready to discover your sound-absorbing or soundproofing solution? Contact our Acoustic Specialists for a free acoustic consultation

Emile Berliner

While we celebrate 20 years of acoustic solutions at Audimute, we also want to celebrate the legacy of those who came before us. Today, we're highlighting the contributions of Emile Berliner.


Today, Berliner is best remembered as the inventor of the gramophone and for his groundbreaking work in helicopters and rotary engines. But he also had a lifelong interest in acoustics, which prompted him to develop the Berliner acoustic tile in the 1920s (below).

 


As one newspaper explained it at the time, Berliner's acoustic solution called for a room with poor acoustics to be "covered with hollow paper discs covered with thin wires to hold their shape. These are what Dr. Berliner calls 'sound sponges,' the principle being to absorb sound waves, preventing reflection." These discs were then concealed by a layer of specially made porous cement.


Berliner unveiled his concept for the first time at a meeting of the American Institute of Architects on October 8, 1925. Soon after, in February 1926, he received U.S. Patent No. 1573475 for his acoustic tile concept:


After another year of testing, Berliner gave the first public demonstration of his 'sound sponges' in February 1927 at the James F. Oyster School in Washington, D.C., during a lecture in the institution's 3,700-square-foot assembly hall by Lieutenant Benjamin H. Rigg, a member of the 1925 MacMillan Arctic Expedition. The results were immediately apparent: Lt. Rigg could be heard clearly, without echoes or reverberations distorting his speech. 


Word spread quickly. Soon after, Berliner installed his "Resonant Walls" at Drexel University, the New York Cotton Exchange, and even the board room of a financial institution in India.

 

 


Sadly, just as his work in acoustics was starting to find an audience, Berliner passed away in 1929 at age 78. It's unclear if "Berliner's Resonant Walls" continued to be installed after his death. 


(Images courtesy of Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division & the United States Patent and Trademark Office)

Good Nature Therapy Services

When pediatric Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy practice Good Nature Therapy Services contacted Audimute about sound management solutions for its brand new clinic in Aurora, Ohio, better acoustics weren't just a preference — they were a necessity for Good Nature's clients, many of whom have sensory processing difficulties that are worsened by background noise, echoes, and overall poor acoustics.

In addition to reverberations in the clinic's gymnasium and therapy rooms, there were also acoustic issues in the lobby area, where conversations containing sensitive medical and personal information were at risk of being amplified.

Working off a concept by Cleveland's innovative Richardson Design, Audimute introduced several acoustic solutions to absorb these echoes, reverberations, and mid to high frequencies:

- Custom AcoustiColor® Direct Mount Ceiling Panels designed to resemble tree canopies and clouds
- AcoustiColor Wall Panels installed around the top edges of therapy rooms
- Custom made Fabric Acoustic Panels intended for use as push pin bulletin boards
- Custom size Fabric Acoustic Panels arranged in a "shiplap" style

The result: an acoustically treated clinic where clients with sensory integration difficulties can better communicate and patient privacy is protected.

Need an acoustic solution for your healthcare facility, workplace, or home? Contact Audimute today for a free consultation with our team of Acoustic Specialists.

Customer Showcase: Carter McLean's Drum Studio

Carter McLean Photo
Carter McLean Photo

Carter is the drummer for the Lion King on Broadway. He had been using Audimute Sound Absorption Sheets in his home studio for years with great success. The Sound Absorption Sheets met his needs as they effectively improved the sound in his studio, were affordable, and worked well as a background for video production.

When the opportunity arose to transform his garage into a new studio, Carter called Audimute to expand on his success with Sound Absorption Sheets and create a unique sound solution. We worked together to design, manufacture, and install Audimute solutions culminating in a one-of-a-kind studio that looks and sounds amazing.

“It is so quiet in here … I can just hear the instrument.” - Carter McLean

Check out Carter's Customer Showcase Page to learn more about Carter as well as the process and sound management solutions used to help build his dream studio.

Audimute vs. Cringe-Worthy Moments in Television

Soundproofing Solutions in Television

You know those cringe-worthy conflicts you watch unfold in film and on television due to poor noise control? What about those sounds you wish you never heard? Well at Audimute, we cringe harder. Why? Because we know these conflicts could have been prevented with a simple Audimute solution.

 

Cringe with us as we walk you through our easy fixes to these problems:

1. "Christmas Vacation"

Many consider the Griswold family to be the worst neighbors in television history. Despite our love for their quirkiness, we agree. Sorry, Griswolds, but displaying thousands of high-powered Christmas lights and chain-sawing your neighbor’s trees in the middle of the night doesn’t make for a pleasant living environment. This infamous behavior leads the holiday-obsessed family to acquire some enemies in close proximity. Had the neighbors implemented sound-blocking Peacemaker, the unwanted sounds of the Griswold’s bizarre lifestyle would remain where they belong: out of hearing reach. With Peacemaker obstructing the noises of the Griswold’s obnoxious tendencies, a hostile neighbor relationship could have been avoided. And maybe even a squirrel attack.

 

 

 

2. "Dumb and Dumber"

The “most annoying sound in the world” broadcast by Lloyd is still ringing in our ears. The echo of his screech bounced around their van with enough reverberation to make us all want to plug our ears. Had their furry vehicle been lined with our acoustic art panels, the sound of Lloyd screaming would have been tolerable. Acoustic panels eliminate high-frequency sound, preventing reflection and decreasing reverberation, regardless of how annoying that sound may be.

 

 

 

3. "School of Rock"

Jack Black’s character, the washed-up musician and phony substitute teacher Dewey Finn, selfishly recruits students as members of his band. To do so, he claimed band rehearsal was a school project that they were getting an illegitimate head-start on, hence the extreme covertness of the operation. The class has a few close encounters with the principal, Ms. Mullins, revealing the need for a soundproofing solution like Isolé. With Isolé hanging on the door and walls of the make-shift rehearsal space, the “School of Rock” could practice in peace without being overheard in the hallways of the school.

 

 

 

Take it from us, when it comes to comfort, sound plays a large role. Spare yourself the cringing and explore our acoustic art panels and other soundproofing solutions.

LEED Certification: What is it and How Audimute can Help?

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is transforming the way we think about how our buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe. LEED is a comprehensive and flexible tool used to analyze a project’s sustainable qualities and rate them on a scale.

 

In order to obtain your LEED certificate, you have to satisfy a certain number of prerequisites to earn points. The number of points a project earns will determine the level of LEED certification.

 

Sometimes knowing what products to choose to help you obtain your LEED certification can be a difficult decision to make. Here are three ways in which Audimute products can help you gain points towards your LEED certification.

 

Materials and Resource Credits- Audimute eco-C-tex™ products are made from recycled content. All fabrics used on our products are pre and post consumer recycled textiles. Also, our Peacemaker™ product is made from recycled tires.

 

Regional Material- Audimute products are made in Beachwood, Ohio. So, if your project is located within a 500 mile radius of Audimute, you can gain 1 point towards your LEED certification.

 

Low Emitting Materials – Audimute products contain little to no adhesives and do not give off V.O.C.’s (Volatile Organic Compound).

So if your project requires acoustic treatment, check out all of Audimute's products (here) for the best sound and environmental results.

Audimute and LEED Points

 

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10 Easy Home Soundproofing Tips

10 Easy Home Soundproofing Tips















































10. Seal Those Doors

A common issue we come across is sound from another room traveling right through the door. If having a paper thin door isn’t your issue, the problem may be the space around the door that sound is escaping through. Products like Audimute’s Door Seal Kit is extremely affordable and a simple fix to this issue. Within minutes you can stop sound from traveling through the spaces around your door.

9. Don't Slam the Cupboards

This may sound obvious, but it is a common complaint we hear all the time. Over the years the bumpers on your cabinet doors start to wear. This is a $5 fix that only takes a few minutes of your time. Cabinet door bumpers can be purchased at most hardware stores. Simply peel and stick on the inside corners of your cabinet door and you won’t hear that loud wood on wood clatter that makes you cringe.

8. My Pets are Going Crazy!

I could probably write another 10 tips on pet sound proofing, but here is the bottom line: your animals have sensitive ears. So intense sound bothers them even more than it does you. The echoing and intensity fires them up resulting in more and more chatter. Focus on adding sound absorbent materials to the rooms in which your pets spend the most time. This could be anything from a rug on hard floors to Acoustic Panels on the walls. You could even try a blanket or Acoustic Sheet over their cage. Some animals respond well to background noise, which helps to break up sound intensity. Personally, my dog likes listening to The Beagles…

7. My workout space is too Loud

So besides turning down the radio, here is what you can do to help control the sound. The key here is the floor: you need to absorb that vibration. Whether you’re running on a treadmill or just slamming down those dumbbells, an isolation product is the perfect solution. You can find gym floor tiles at your local sporting good store. These will help, but for better results check out Audimute’s 6.4mm Peacemaker. It is less expensive and will give you the best results of any gym flooring product on the market.

6. My Windows Rattle

Tired of your windows rattling every time a truck goes by? This is an easy fix. I suggest using one of Audimute’s Door Seal Kits placed between the window frame and outer casing. If there isn’t enough room you can always go to the hardware store and find some rope with the correct diameter to use instead. As a bonus this will Stop sounds from creeping through the cracks of your windows, making your indoor environment quieter overall.

5. I hear footsteps

If you live in a home or apartment covered in hard surfaces you may be plagued with the sounds of footsteps. This is an easy and inexpensive fix. Try installing rugs in high traffic areas. They will soften impact noise as well as aid in sound absorption.

4. My Spouse Snores

Sleep posture plays a large role in snoring. Sleeping flat on your back causes the flesh of your throat to relax and block the airway. Try taping tennis balls to the back of your spouse's pajamas to keep them from sleeping on their back. If this doesn't work at least you get the enjoyment of seeing your spouse with tennis balls taped to their back. If you're wondering, there was no way I could get my wife to do this, so if you figure out how to do that please let me know.

3. Loud Sub Pump

This is an issue I just recently dealt with myself. Living in a low flood area, my sub pump seemed to push water every 30 minutes. So what should you do? Check the pipe coming from the sub pump. Does it vibrate against your wall? If so try placing an absorptive material or even some old rags between the pipe and the wall. I suggest Audimute’s Peacemaker to stop vibration. If this isn’t the issue try putting up what I like to call the “Cone of Silence”: 6.4mm Peacemaker rolled into a cone shape placed over the pump and around the pipe.

2. Is it Humane to Soundproof a Baby

Answer is an obvious no. What you can do however is make the sounds they hear more pleasurable. Reduce the intensity of sound by adding rugs to hard flooring and focus on using soft materials, including furniture, bedding, and draperies when planning your nursery. If you’re looking for a design friendly solution consider Audimute’s Custom Image Acoustic Panels. Maybe spell out your baby's name in 1’x1’ Acoustic panels that match your nursery décor?

1. Silence Your Washer and Dryer

You may not actually be able to silence your washer and dryer, but what you can do is lower the intensity of sound they omit. If you place your hand on your washer and dryer while they are running, what do you notice? Vibration! This is the first thing to address. More than likely they are sitting on a hard surface such as cement, tile or even hardwood flooring. Placing something underneath them to reduce the vibration will help tremendously. Audimute’s 6.4mm Peacemaker is great for reducing vibration and taking the edge off the sound. A less effective solution may be adding a rug or carpet- the thicker the better. This works for dishwashers as well! You can also hang blankets or Acoustic Sheets over door ways to your laundry room to aid in sound absorption.

How Dematerialization Sabotages Your Acoustic Environment

How Dematerialization Sabotages Your Acoustic Environment

Last week we discussed how modern design trends can negatively influence your acoustic environment. These trends included dematerialization, green building and exposed systems. Over the next few posts we will examine each trend and how it affects your work space. We will also explain how we were successfully able to implement each trend without compromising our acoustic environment. This week we will focus on: dematerialization and how it can negatively impact the sound in your space.

Dematerialization means reducing the amount of materials used to create a space while still allowing it to fulfill its designated purpose. This trend is the result of today’s technological era in which we focus on subtracting materials from things to improve their capacity and performance. Dematerialization features elements such as: raw concrete, original brick, exposed ceiling structures and unvarnished wood.

Dematerialization adds modern character to a space but it can be detrimental to acoustic quality. Dematerialization requires the removal of many acoustically absorptive elements in a space, such as carpet, wall coverings and ceiling tiles. Without these traditional absorptive materials, sound waves are forced to reflect off of the unfinished surfaces. The reflection of sound waves against hard surfaces will create an intense pressure forcing sound to amplify in volume.

How Dematerialization Sabotages Your Acoustic Environment

Our office remodel involved many elements that were inspired by the dematerialization trend. During our renovation we stripped down our walls, took out our carpeting and removed our drop ceiling. Our office looked bare yet chic but the sound quality was horrific. Conversations across the room were incomprehensible and the echo was unbearable. Unfortunately, our newly dematerialized space was not fostering a productive work environment.

So, we had to make a change that would not compromise the integrity of our design but would allow our co-workers to concentrate. We covered our unfinished floors with a bold carpet design. Then, we installed a finished drywall and painted one feature wall an electric green color that features our logo. The logo was custom cut from our trademarked eco-C-tex product and is a bold décor statement that is acoustically effective. Finally, we approximated the acoustical benefits of a drop ceiling by installing faceted acoustical clouds which lowered the ceiling height and helped to absorb the unwanted echo.

How Dematerialization Sabotages Your Acoustic Environment

Based on our experience, we recommend selecting one aspect of this trend and featuring that in your space. This will keep your design sleek and modern without sacrificing the sound quality in your space. Come back next week for our discussion of environmentally conscious building trends and how they can influence the sound in your room.

Pinterest- Dematerialization

How Exposed Architectural Systems Can Sabotage Your Acoustic Environment

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Over the past few weeks we have evaluated how modern design trends, like Dematerialization, Green Buildings and Exposed Systems, can effect your acoustic environment. This week we will conclude our Modern Design Series by looking into the acoustical effects that exposed architectural systems may have on your work environment. We will tell you how to use your HVAC system to create an optimal work place for your employees, and how to acoustically treat exposed ceiling beam and trusses.

HVAC Systems Are No Longer Hidden

Today, HVAC systems have been redesigned to be smaller, quieter and more efficient than ever. So designers are now leaving these smaller systems exposed to highlight the raw aesthetic of the building. Long gone are the days of tacky drop ceiling tiles that hide noisy and bulky HVAC systems, but without these ceiling tiles your acoustic environment can be negatively impacted.

Select the HVAC System with the Right Amount of Noise

In order to remedy these acoustical problems, purchasing an HVAC system that produces the optimal noise level will be the first place to start. HVAC systems that produce too much noise can make speech unintelligible but if the HVAC is too quiet distracting noise will be heard. A quiet, sound-masking HVAC is better than a loud noisy system or no system at all.

Other Exposed Systems that Create Acoustical Problems

Other exposed ceiling elements can cause additional acoustical problems. Sound waves reflect off the ceiling’s exposed beams, trusses and ceiling deck which can result in excessive reverberation. This reverberation can make conversation and concentration difficult. For the acoustical problems caused by exposed ceilings, sound absorption products can be utilized. Sound clouds are an effective acoustical treatment and can serve as the focal point for your space. You can also treat the ceiling beam and trusses of your ceiling by hiding absorptive panels in the in the beams channels, achieving acoustic absorption without interfering with your design.

Rewards for Acoustical Comfort

Selecting a quiet system and adding sound absorption products will help create an ideal work environment for your employees. Today, creating an acoustic environment that fosters productivity is more important than ever. As we mentioned last week, in our Green Building post, designers and contractor are now being rewarded, through LEED certification, for taking acoustic comfort into consideration when redesigning an office environment. If you need assistance with HVAC noise, please feel free to give us a call, 866-505-MUTE, and one of our specialists will be more than happy to assist you.

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