Should I add wood paneling along w/ absorption to brick walls?

[brokenbones]

We practice and record in a basement that has concrete brick walls. I'm eventually going to build some traps and absorption panels to help. Before I do so, would adding wood paneling (or anything else not too expensive) over the brick help any significant bit over it's cost? I don't have room to frame a dummy wall because of pipes and wires etc. My goal isn't really to soundproof everything completely but to help achieve a better sound in an area with brick walls and concrete floors. Any suggestions on what material I should use or should I just leave the brick and save the money?

[jpleong]

Depending on the brick, you may get what you want to achieve without having to add other paneling. If it is coarse and/or varied enough the brick can act as a good source of diffusion.

Choice placement of absorptive panels or curtains along with sections of diffused, reflective surfaces can help you control the sound without making the room too dead or too live. I like curtains since they allow you to adjust the sound of the room to taste.

All this, of course, assuming you don't have standing waves in your basement.

JP

[brokenbones]

The brick is just regular cinder block type brick, it's fairly smooth and definitely not terribly porous. I have some 4'x3' sections of old cubilcle walls I'll put up. I will space those out and whatever part of the wall is left exposed, that's where I'll build absorption traps I guess.

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[swifty204]

Heavy weight quilted moving blankets. Get 'em on ebay. Various sizes/colors in bulk. inexpensive. Use a little injenuity hanging them in front of your pre-cast walls until you get the result your looking for.

[Bubbagump]

Wall materials will not differ much.... be it concrete, wood, or drywall. They are all more or less completely reflective. The only thing you can really do is to add treatment... mostly bass trapping. For most purposes, 4" thick broad band panel absorbers (lots of them) are the best place to start.