How To Soundproof A Room For Streaming: Easy And Affordable Upgrades

Streaming has become quite popular since you can record great content, even for podcasts. But you need a soundproof room to create top-quality audio.

We spoke with experts who specialize in soundproofing music and streaming rooms. They vouch for soundproof foam as the best. However, you can achieve the same using old blankets, duvets, or cardboard boxes.

Which is the Best Way to Soundproof a Room for Streaming?

A streaming room is important when you want to create high-quality audio. In such a space, you must block out external noises. These are notorious for distorting the quality of audio you generate for your content.

To soundproof a streaming room, you must use the best materials. The best way to soundproof a streaming room is by using soundproof foam.

Streamers find loads of benefits in fitting a streaming room with soundproof foam. This helps to block out most, if not all, external noises. Below is a step-by-step guide to soundproofing a room for streaming using soundproof foam.

Plan the Room

It’s important to plan your streaming room before you add soundproof foam. This is because you have to place the foam behind the recording equipment.

The foam placement helps to prevent sound from bouncing off the walls. If possible, cover the entire wall behind the recording equipment for the best results.

Measure, Cut, and Install the Foam

Now that you know your room arrangement, it’s time to install the soundproof foam. Start by measuring the wall to know the exact size you need for this project. After that, cut the foam, and begin the installation process.

Clean the Walls

Once you pick the right walls, you must ensure these are clean before installing the sound panels. Use some rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth to wipe. A clean wall will ensure the soundproof foams stick better to the walls.

Hang the Soundproof Foams

Get spray adhesive and spray at the back of the soundproof panels. Before sticking the panels to the wall, you can lay them on a flat surface to carry out this step.

After spraying, pick each panel and press it hard on the clean wall. Keep repeating this until you fill the area you want to have the soundproof foam. Leave to dry, and ensure the room is well-ventilated for this step.

The key to effective soundproofing is to understand how sound works. While there’s a whole physics chapter, you only need to master the basics. 

Soundproofing requires a focus on wave propagation.

This circumstance of a sound wave as it propagates outward from its source. Sound waves tend to travel outward from the source. 

The waves will reflect against the edges and travel back to the source.

You must ensure this doesn’t happen in a streaming room since it can interfere with your audio. The sound traveling back to the source distorts the audio quality and creates interference.

Are There Cheaper Ways to Soundproof a Room for Streaming?

Soundproof foam is perfect for a streaming room. The quality of the foam can help you have the best audio quality.

However, you need the right budget to fill a wall or a room with foam. If you happen to be working on a budget, you can still soundproof your streaming room. There are cheaper ways to accomplish the same goal.

Blankets and Duvets

Do you have old but useful blankets and duvets in your home? It’s possible to use these items to soundproof a streaming room.

Blankets and duvets are an excellent way to soundproof a streaming room on a budget. These are easy to hang and have the same effect as having soundproof foam on your walls.

You can purchase some easily if you use the blankets and duvets at home. New or second-hand blankets and duvets will help you soundproof a streaming room. And you won’t have to pay a huge amount to do so.

Cardboard Soundproof Panels

It’s possible to purchase soundproof panels to install in a streaming room. However, you can make some at home and spend less doing so.

Handmade soundproof panels are good for insulation. All you need is cardboard. For example, find those old egg cartons that you wanted to recycle. You can create a fun pattern and soundproof panels using cardboard egg cartons.

Why Is It Important to Soundproof a Streaming Room?

So, why must you go to such great lengths to learn how to soundproof a streaming room? Well, the easiest answer is to improve the audio quality you record.

Soundproofing improves the quality of your streams. There’s less interference from external sounds, and the audio itself bounces off the walls.

External noises include people talking in the next room or birds outside in the trees. Even the sound of cars passing a few meters away can interfere with streaming quality. However, you can minimize this interference by adding soundproof foam to your walls.

In addition, soundproofing helps to prevent the echo effect in your room. You need to start by installing the foam behind your recording equipment. Echo in the streaming room does affect the audio quality.

What Materials Can Block Out Sound?

It’s great to get creative when you want to learn how to soundproof a room for streaming. Find the different materials that block sound, and pick the best option.

The best way to pick the right soundproofing materials is to understand the principles of soundproofing. First, you need a material that’s good at deflecting sound. Heavy materials have a better capacity to block sound than light ones.

Second, focus on the absorption of sound waves. Thick materials with open-cell woven offers better sound insulation in a streaming room. 

Third, note the decoupling principle, which interrupts sound vibrations.

The best materials that you can use to block out sound in a room for streaming include:

• Soundproof foam
• Fiberglass
• Soundproof floor mats
• Acoustic caulk
• Soundproof paint
• Acoustic membrane
• Dense Plywood

Key Takeaways

• Soundproofing a room for streaming helps improve the audio quality.
• Soundproof foam is one of the best materials to use in a room for streaming.
• It’s important to place soundproof materials behind recording equipment.
• Heavy blankets and duvets are a cheaper soundproofing option