Where There’s Air with Wilson Harwood (Soundproof Your Studio)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton (Scoobert Doobert)
Guest: Wilson Harwood
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Topics discussed
Host note
Wilson Harwood is a musician first, a producer second, and now a studio designer and acoustician, running Soundproof Your Studio out of Nashville. He came up DIY, which makes his case for hiring a professional land harder: soundproofing means a room that's completely airtight, no leaks, a ton of mass, and that's a different job from sound treatment, which is about how a room sounds once you're inside it.
We get into what DIY soundproofing gets wrong, what sound isolation actually requires, and realistic numbers for budgeting a build (professional studios in the $25,000 to $30,000 range, depending on materials and design). Wilson is upfront about his bias toward hiring pros, and just as direct about the payoff: a space that's really yours, and feels like it.
Selected moments
- Difference between soundproofing and sound treatment 2:41 Wilson discusses the essential differences in objectives between soundproofing and sound treatment.
- Challenges of DIY soundproofing 6:36 Wilson shares insights about the complexities and potential pitfalls of attempting DIY soundproofing.
- The importance of hiring professionals 18:49 Wilson emphasizes the benefits of hiring experts for soundproofing projects instead of going the DIY route.
- Acoustic design philosophy 24:43 Wilson explains his approach to balancing acoustic design with practical studio needs.
- Understanding sound isolation 13:20 Wilson breaks down the fundamentals of sound isolation and what it takes to achieve it effectively.
- Investment in studio construction 20:15 A discussion on the financial aspects of building a studio and realistic budgeting.
Selected excerpts
I come from a very DIY background and I come as a musician first, and then a producer second, and then third, this weird new career as a studio designer and acoustician.
The best way to do it is to hire a professional... I'm not saying you can't [do it yourself], but I definitely am a little biased in that that's my career.
You want to be completely airtight, so the room has to be completely airtight, there's no leaks whatsoever, and it needs to have a ton of mass.
If you want it done right the first time, you probably should hire the pros.
A soundproof studio is definitely a luxury, but it’s something that if you really need or really want it, and you have the means, then it’s a good idea.
You're just going to get personal satisfaction from a space that's really personal to you and feels like your own, wherever that is.
FAQ
What are the main differences between soundproofing and sound treatment?
Soundproofing aims to prevent sound from entering or leaving a space, while sound treatment focuses on improving the sound quality within a room.
How much should I budget for building a soundproof studio?
On average, the cost for a professional soundproof studio build can range from $25,000 to $30,000, depending on materials and design complexity.
Is DIY soundproofing worth it?
While a DIY approach can be cheaper, it often comes with challenges. Hiring a professional can save time and ensure you're getting the best results.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. The episode itself is on the listen links above.