Acoustical Solutions Soundproofs the School of Rock
Acoustical Solutions recently provided the soundproofing and noise control materials for Norfolk, Virginia's School of Rock.
Various combinations of acoustical panels, soundproof doors and acoustical floor underlayment were installed in some of the school's rehearsal space as well as in its concert venue.
Application Introduction
School of Rock ... depending on who you ask, these three words could mean anything.
The best idea since Dylan went electric, perhaps? How about a 2003 Jack Black movie? A blatant self-contradiction, even? What about the best way for a teenager to spend her afternoons?
Teachers and students at the Norfolk, Va. School of Rock don't care how it's described, they're just happy to be playing music, and Acoustical Solutions is happy to have helped them get to that point.
"I knew in the beginning it was going to need sound treatment," Skip Locke said of the refurbished 10,000-square-foot building which houses the Norfolk location of the School of Rock franchise.
Locke, who owns the school with his wife, Kathleen, said it would have been impossible to both perform and rehearse in the school's venue and 13 classrooms without acoustical treatment.
Treatment Provided
Sound Control
Sound control, not to be confused with soundproofing, is what makes a performance or rehearsal space appealing to the ear. Without it, the hard, flat, parallel surfaces in School of Rock would have wreaked havoc.
Standing in the school's 2,300-square-foot concert venue, Eaglton Hall, Locke explained, "It used to be like a bare gymnasium in here. Just talking to someone was hard to do."
To combat the reverberation and reflections caused by the hard surfaces, Locke installed AlphaSorb™ Acoustical Panels on the walls and ceiling around the stage and audience area of the room.
These panels absorb the sound that hits them. This reduces reflections in the venue, which makes performances sound better because the audience is able to hear more of the direct sound waves coming from the speakers.
Excessive reflection and reverberation aren't only bad for performances; they're also bad for rehearsals. If students and teachers can't hear their mistakes they can't correct them.
Knowing this, Locke installed the absorptive acoustical panels in rehearsal rooms as well.
Soundproofing
Soundproofing, or stopping sound from transferring from one space to another, is especially important in a place like School of Rock.
When a full band is rehearsing upstairs, and downstairs two guitar lessons and a drum lesson are being held, walls alone don't stop noise.
Locke installed soundproof doors and Iso-Step™ acoustical floor underlayment in some rooms to stop noise transfer. He also used Green Glue, which is applied between sheets of drywall, sub-flooring and other building materials to drastically reduce impact and airborne noise transfer.
Results
"The sound absorption in the venue is great for direct micing," said Steve Archer, director of music at School of Rock. "Audiences are able to hear what's miced - at the right levels - coming directly from the PA system rather than hearing it after it has bounced all over the room."
"I have to admit I was skeptical about some sound control products," Locke said. "But I'm living proof that they work."
The Norfolk School of Rock is inspiring kids daily to rock on stage and in life. Find out more about summer camps or to schedule your first lesson!
For more information on this application, contact our sales department.
