Soundproofing One Wall, Soundproofing Options

[sethjacquay]

I am going to be moving into a new apartment next month and
my new landlords warned me about a dude in the building next door
who might complain about sound.

I am interested in soundproofing the wall that the neighbor and I share
probably about 10' by 8' in size.

Obviously, headphones would work, but when I am singing and playing
acoustic guitar I will feel better about letting loose with some sort
of sound barrier on that wall.

Any suggestions?
Does anyone else have some sort of setup they use?

I was thinking about those foam absorbers, but I read that they actually
don't block the sound and might actually cause him to hear more noise.

I am considering a vinyl barrier that would hang from the wall. It won't block everything
but should add another layer to help reduce the sound transmission directly through the wall.

[td3k]

Auralex makes a MAX Wall kit that is portable and might be good for an apartment.

http://www.auralex.com/category_max-wall/c...ry_max-wall.asp

also Sheetblok soundbarier on your shared wall.

http://www.auralex.com/c_studio_constructi...onstruction.asp

Luckily I live in a house, and have not had to soundproof like that. It's very difficult to stop sound transfer through a wall. When the walls share studs on each side, sound waves are transmitted thru the structure. A gap of air is the best way to defeat transference. Maybe you could put soundbarier on the wall, and the use something like Celotex (available at Home Depot, Lowes ect.) to fashon a second false wall in front of your wall with an air gap of several inches. Then treat the Celotex with foam.

Also might help to pay the neighbor a visit, get to know him. See if there are times that he is not around that you can really bump it out without disturbing. Ask him how much sound he hears when you jam out. If he's cool maybe even invite him over. I have had rehearsal spots before that we have been able to keep around by having good comunication with the neighbors, they even enjoy the music and occasionally like to observe.

Cheers...