1. Room & Soundproofing
☐ Measure room dimensions (L × W × H)
☐ Check wall material (drywall/concrete/wood)
☐ Identify noise leakage points (door, window, vents)
☐ Seal door gaps (weatherstripping, door sweep)
☐ Use solid-core door if possible
☐ Double-layer drywall + damping compound
☐ Install bass traps in corners
☐ Acoustic panels at first reflection points
☐ Ceiling cloud panels
☐ Rug/carpet for floor reflections
☐ Window plugs or acoustic curtains
☐ HVAC noise assessment
2. Recording Equipment
☐ Audio interface
☐ Studio monitors
☐ Headphones (closed-back for recording)
☐ Condenser microphone
☐ Dynamic microphone
☐ Mic stand
☐ Pop filter
☐ Shock mount
☐ XLR cables
☐ Instrument cables
☐ MIDI keyboard
3. Computer & Software
☐ Computer (adequate RAM/CPU)
☐ DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Pro Tools / Logic Pro / Ableton Live
☐ Plugins (EQ, compression, reverb)
☐ Backup drive
☐ Cloud backup
☐ Sample libraries
4. Power & Connectivity
☐ Surge protector
☐ Power conditioner
☐ Cable management
☐ Extension backup
☐ Reliable internet
5. Furniture & Ergonomics
☐ Studio desk
☐ Comfortable chair
☐ Monitor stands
☐ Mic storage
☐ Rack shelf
☐ Lighting
6. Acoustic Testing
☐ Clap test for echo
☐ Speaker positioning (equilateral triangle)
☐ Monitor isolation pads
☐ Measure frequency response
☐ Test recording noise floor
7. Workflow & Organization
☐ Session templates
☐ Folder structure
☐ Naming convention
☐ External backups
☐ Notebook for ideas
8. Safety & Comfort
☐ Ventilation
☐ Temperature control
☐ Fire extinguisher
☐ Clean cable paths
☐ Emergency lighting
Pro Tip:
Prioritize in this order:
Soundproofing → Acoustic treatment → Monitoring → Recording gear → Software
A mediocre mic in a treated room often sounds better than an expensive mic in an untreated room.
Here are some popular and trusted websites where you can order soundproofing and acoustic materials for a studio like the one in your image:
🔊 Top Online Stores
- Acoustimac
One of the most popular U.S. sites for studio builders. They sell everything from acoustic panels and bass traps to mass-loaded vinyl and insulation.
➤ They offer products like mineral wool, fiberglass panels, and sound barriers used in real studios.
- Soundproof Cow
Great for both beginners and professionals. They guide you on what to buy based on your room and sell full solutions (panels, barriers, wraps, etc.).
➤ Known for offering customized advice and a wide range of materials.
- SONEX Online
High-end acoustic foam panels often used in studios, offices, and theaters.
➤ Their foam panels are widely used to reduce echo and improve sound clarity.
- Acoustic Sound Panels
Good for budget-friendly and custom panels (including printed designs).
➤ Offers factory-direct pricing and custom sizes for home studios.
- Acoustic Store
Another solid option with a wide range of panels and acoustic treatments for different room sizes and styles.
⚠️ Important tip (very relevant for your room)
Many people mix this up:
- Acoustic panels = reduce echo inside the room
- Soundproofing = stop sound from leaving/entering (needs heavy materials like MLV, double drywall, insulation)
If you’re building a true soundproof 20×20 room like your image, you’ll need:
- Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV)
- Double drywall + Green Glue
- Rockwool / mineral wool insulation
- Isolation clips & resilient channel
Acoustic foam alone won’t make it “soundproof.”