“I’m building my own isolation booth, are there any guidelines for the design and construction of the windows?”
Today’s answer comes from Sweetwater Sales Engineer, Dan Hoeye.
Because communication is important between artists in the studio and the audio engineer, or between the artists themselves when multiple rooms are involved, windows have historically served a vital role in studios. The complexity and design for windows vary based on the needs of the studio and budget. Windows can range from deep double-plate cavities built into double-wall constructions, to less deep and more modest constructions built into a single wall. Other designs range from floor to ceiling windows that create a virtual glass wall, to designs in which the windows have been built into studio/control room walls that employ 3′ of solid, poured concrete. While there’s nothing set in stone, if you have the time and budget the following is solid advice that you can follow.
The glass panels used in window construction typically are 3/8″ to 3/4″ thick and are seated into the window frame with a rubber seal to prevent vibration. If you can, two panels are better than one, placed 2 to 6 inches apart to create a sound lock area. You may laugh, but make sure the inside of the glass is as clean as possible before you permanently seat and adhere them. It is important that one of the two glass panels be tilted at 5 degrees or more, with respect to the other, to eliminate standing waves in the sandwiched air space. This will also help in isolation of sound.
You’ll be surprised at the difference these simple design ideas will make in your studio for isolation and acoustic control.