If you’ve spent time in amateur recording environments, you’ve likely encountered makeshift vocal booths. In my own amateur setup, moving blankets hang from curtain wire to dampen sound on two sides, while the other walls are covered with fabric for sound absorption.
Conventional rooms are not ideal for recording due to sound reflections off hard surfaces, creating unwanted reverberations. To address this issue without using traditional acoustic panels or bass traps, I decided to turn the walls themselves into sound-absorbing panels using fabric and insulation.
Making sound-absorbing panels with wood frames, acoustically transparent fabric, and mineral wool insulation is a common DIY method. I adapted this process to turn the walls of my home studio into acoustic panels. Here’s how I did it.
What I aimed to accomplish with my fabric walled home studio
Fabric walls covering sound-dampening material are commonly used in theaters and recording studios. I chose to outfit a prefab storage building as a home recording studio, using Rockwool Safe ‘n’ Sound insulation and lightweight cotton canvas fabric for the walls.
My initial plan was to use landscaping fabric, but I opted for cotton canvas for better sound absorption. The goal was to create a space that minimizes sound reflections for better recording quality.
Installing acoustically absorbent insulation in your DIY home studio
Installing Rockwool Safe ‘n’ Sound insulation in the stud bays was a challenge due to the presence of electrical cables in the walls. I had to carefully fit the insulation around the cables to ensure proper coverage.
Securing the fabric walls for your DIY home studio
Securing the fabric to the walls required stretching it taut across the studs and using battens to cover the seams and staples. I used a heavy-duty stapler to attach the fabric, ensuring a snug fit.
Cutting around electrical boxes for your soundproof walls
To work around electrical boxes, I framed them with wood on all sides to keep the fabric away from the boxes. This method ensured a clean and safe installation while maintaining the soundproofing properties of the walls.
Dressing your DIY soundproofed center
Covering the staples with battens and trim was essential to give the walls a finished look. I used 2×4 strips as battens to cover the seams and staples, providing a neat appearance to the fabric walls.
Will this approach work for your DIY home studio?
While this fabric wall approach may not be suitable for every space, it can be a cost-effective and practical solution for small rooms. Consider the benefits and drawbacks before embarking on a similar project in your home.
Understand your specific soundproofing needs before you embark on your DIY studio project
Small rooms present unique challenges for sound treatment, and various methods can have unpredictable results. Experiment with different approaches to find the best solution for your specific soundproofing needs.
