Misconceptions About Soundproofing and Sound Treatment

Sound treatment and soundproofing can seem a lot like trying to treat air. Because you can’t physically see the problem, it may feel like you’re spending time and money enhancing something that doesn’t really make sense. And when you try to explain it to someone else, it may seem downright insane.

But we are here to put your mind at ease and we are here to bust some common myths that you may have heard that some people have used to deter you from investing in sound treatment or soundproofing solutions.

Does soundproofing or sound treatment actually work?

So, you have decided to take the plunge and start your own YouTube channel.  Or you have decided to use your knowledge and expertise to educate the world and you have decided to start your own podcast. Whether it is your studio, your home office, or your home theatre, you have the space, and now you need to optimize the space.

You may be asking if sound treatment or soundproofing work before you begin investing in products, and it is a good question to ask. After all, why would you want to spend any money on a product that you aren’t even sure is effective?

Well, comparative results would clearly show that a room before and after sound treatment in the form of acoustic foam panels, diffusers, and soundproofing components creates completely different and clearly noticeable audible improvements within a space.  

It all comes down to using the correct sound treatment elements and the best combination of these acoustic solutions. For example, if the bass is causing your lungs to vibrate unnecessarily, then bass traps are your solution. If you are looking for a crisp and cleaner sound, you will look at acoustic foam products, and if you are trying to keep your sound within a particular space and hoping not to disturb your neighbours, then soundproofing panels are your solution.  

Can Acoustic foam soundproof my room?

You can stick acoustic foam on every surface of your room and while you will have a crisp sound with no echo or reverb, your neighbour will still be able to hear the song you are using for your TikTok dance.

That is because soundproofing materials aim to block sounds from leaving a particular space entirely, whereas acoustic foam absorbs sounds that would otherwise be bouncing or reverberating off the walls. For this reason, it is important to use acoustic treatment elements for their intended purpose.

The more Items I have in my room, the better the acoustics will be.

Carpets, curtains, and decorative artefacts hung on the wall will add to the aesthetic of a room and it will reduce the amount of echo that you will hear, but at a professional level, it might not do much to help echo or reverb within the room.

Let’s be honest, you are not going to be setting up your YouTube studio or recording studio in your living room that has couches, other furniture, pictures on the walls, and a bookshelf. Instead, you’re going to set up your studio in a designated space that may be smaller than your lounge and that only has your recording equipment in it.

This means that the space already has fewer items that can enhance the acoustics, so spending time, money, and attention on particular sound treatment solutions will do the best job as opposed to adding random items into the space.

Using an egg crate is a great way of treating the acoustics in a room

This common misconception is seen as a DIY solution for soundproofing and sound treatment across the board. It is cheap, lightweight, and easy to use, plus you get a great breakfast every day for about six months.

But in actual fact, egg crates are ineffectual in professionally sound treating and soundproofing a studio. While the shape may mislead people into thinking that it effectively diffuses a wide variety of sound waves, it doesn’t actually do so.

If you are hoping to get the best sound quality for your space, trusting the professionals and investing in the correct, durable, and effective materials will be worth the time and the money.

Avoid the misconceptions and contact us at Hush Echo for our sound treatment products and advice on how to professionally soundproof your space.