Soundproofing a gym so music doesnt bounce around...suggesitons?

Question

I am looking for an inexpensive and NON-permanent way to fix a gym so that music doesn't bounce around and sounds better. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this?

It is like bands, mostly metal and punk...some acoustic. Someone suggested that I mention to the bands to turn their sound down just a bit to accommedate the size of the bldg and not have an distortion.

Answer 1

Hard surfaces reflect sound (echo) Soft surfaces absorb sound. An empty gym will reflect more sounds than a full one (bodies absorb sound). Egg Cartons will work but look crappy, foam rubber works but is expensive. Go to a fabric store and buy up a bunch of cheap fabric (the heavier the better if you can get carpet even better), paint it (try to use dyes instead of "paint" since paint sticks to the surface and will reflect sound), tye dye it, whatever and hang it around the walls (not right against the walls but a 1/2 inch away, drape it from the ceiling, also put rugs on the floor if you can. Think about where the sound is coming from and (a band or DJ) and where it is most likely to hit first (opposite wall etc) and focus there first then move to areas close to that and back toward the sound origin. This won't fix the problem but it will help. Gyms are acoustic nightmares so don;t expect perfection.

Answer 2

a simple temporary solution would be to hang rugs/carpets along the walls - they wouldn't have to completely cover the walls just cover a large portion of the walls - even heavy blankets would do and sheets to a certain extent - hand them just a little bit off the wall say an inch or 2 if you can - it's a bit easier and less time consuming than egg cartons - they're ok for smaller spaces but a gym is pretty huge to be covering it in 1' x 1' chunks of cardboard.

A more permanent solution would be to acquire accoustic absorbing panels - a cheaper version would be to purchase 4'x8'x1/2" sheets of homosote and cover them in felt for improved aesthetics.

good luck.

Answer 3

there is no inexpensive way of doing this, a gym is meant for sporting events. The acoustics will not allow the sound your looking for.
You can buy acoustic foam, but it would take thousands to buy enough for a gym.

Answer 4

FOAM. Just line the walls with foam... You can buy the pyramid-shaped foam at a local music store, or for something much cheaper, head out to the Home Depot. I did the latter for a recording studio in my basement and it turned out pretty good. Not professional or anything, but it didn't echo and make the music sound sh!tty.

Answer 5

a space this large you will need to zone it hardcore. If you are using amplified instruments this is easy to do by just stratigically placing foam pyramids in the path of sound. If you are talking about horns and stuff like that you are in a world of hurt as there is no easy or cheap solution to this.

Answer 6

Gymnasium mats - the kind used for acrobatics, tumbling, protection from injuries caused by falls - are often very large and are hung by pegs on the walls when not in use. They are filled with fiber, which is excellent insulation for the purpose you describe. But they are not inexpensive. Perhaps you can rent them.

Answer 7

carpets, unroll them on the ground can even prop up or something, excellent way to absorb, durable and it's every where almost. Tack up some kind of draperies, a thin blanket type thing. quick easy and available.
or maybe if it's a school gym them use the gym mats also. it'll be easier then you think i hope he he

Answer 8

Egg Cartons. You may be able to get them in bulk from your local egg distributor.
The same concept us used in sound proofing recording studios but that is a type of foam rubber and is permanent.

Answer 9

Hang strips of cloth from the cieling, most kinds of fabric will abosorb sound so go from there. And if you can, use a PA system, it will help things sound better overall.

Answer 10

Use thick foam padding like they have in high school gyms.