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basement renovation - ideas?

I posted a question regarding speakers and got tons of great feedback. Thanks to everybody for that. My next question pertains to my complete basement renovation. What considerations should be taken when finishing the basement for optimal sound? The only thing this rookie has considered is 5/8" drywall opposed to something thin! Are there any products out there (without breaking the bank) that will help provide optimal sound quality? The room will be roughly 12x28 with 8 1/2 foot ceilings.

Thanks guys...
big10purdue
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Important that you silence all the mechanical equipment. If your heating/cooling system is forced air and the unit is in the basement, extra attention needs to be paid to duct work and equipment mounts of the unit itself. Otherwise, you will hear the noise over the sound of your rig. When I did my room all the walls were double walled in most areas and tripled in the mechanical area. Ceiling was ascoutical, floor built up on 2x4's, covered with carpet.
canadiandog
14 posts
 
If you haven't already, also consider running dedicated lines before you put up the drywall. Best to plan where you will be situating your equipment and run dedicated circuits there.Whole lot easier at this stage.

Gregg
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Two thoughts (one practical, one performance) from my last home:

Built ins. CD/LP and equipment storage will make the room more enjoyable to use.

"Built Outs" Cabinets or other structures that protrude from any section of any of the walls will help break up the long, reflective surfaces that contribute to lumpy bass response. I had a sofa built that wrappeed around a Murphy Bed at the listening position. The bed structure protruded from wall about a foot and was covered with absorptive treatment and finished with patterned fabric. Looked great and definitely helped the sound.

Good Luck

Marty
bondmanp
1,834 posts
 
There is new acoustical drywall available. I don't know the details, but a Google search should do the trick. It is supposed to provide good acoustic insulation and be deader sounding than regular drywall.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
Think of drywall as another bass panel...it shakes.
If the room is mainly for sound, consider studs every 12 inches instead of 16", screw and glue 1/2" plywood up first, then put drywall over that with screws and glue. Even using double sheets of drywall will help.
Secondly, decouple the walls from the ceiling above. Putting in a false ceiling will both prevent you from hearing above as well as you shaking the upstairs too badly. You asked, this is an expensive way to do it.
Last suggestion, run all the extra wire you may ever want first. I always pull an extra run of Cat-5 to every outlet just for future use. The cost of the wire is minimal vs having an electrician later.
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