Q: Do you have any go to suggestions on how to mount the Producer’s Choice blankets from VocalBoothToGo.com in a temporary space or rental apartment?
A:
1. NON invasive mounting options ( stand alone mounts):
If you want to avoid the walls entirely, these are the most reliable options:
- FlexTee Stand: This is a heavy-duty, height-adjustable stand specifically designed to hold acoustic blankets. It allows you to create a “wraparound” acoustic environment that can be folded down and stored in minutes. It was actually specifically designed to work in the situation where the blankets cannot be attached to a wall. With Flex Tee stand you can create an acoustically treated space in any part of the room and move it away if needed. (https://vocalboothtogo.com/product/voice-over-flextee-stand/, Instructions: https://vocalboothtogo.com/flextee-stand-portable-vocal-booth-unboxing-video/ )
- DIY PVC Frame Kits: We offer PVC frames that you can assemble anywhere. You simply drape the blankets over the frame, creating a “room within a room” without ever touching your actual walls. ( https://vocalboothtogo.com/product/diy-pvc-vocal-booth-frame-kit-58×58-complete/ )
- AVB series booths: For the ultimate temporary setup, this is a walk in mobile vocal booth that can be assembled and folded back. It is a complete set. ( https://vocalboothtogo.com/product-category/mobile-recording-booths/mobile-acoustic-vocal-booth/ )
2. Low-Damage Wall mounting options:
If you do not want to use additional structural supports, such as frames and Stands you can try the following options:
- Tension Rods: For doorways or narrow hallways, use a heavy-duty shower tension rod. Since Producer’s Choice blankets often come with grommets, you can slide them right onto the rod like a curtain. NOTE: You can only use tension rods in small spaces around 36-48 inches from wall to wall.
- Heavy Duty Command Hooks These are glue on hooks that you can remove by pulling on the adhesive strip when you need to remove the hooks. Please make sure to get heavy duty hooks. The VB76 blankets weigh approximately 17 lbs each.
- Wire Hooks (with a Twist): There are specially designed wire hooks for mounting items on a drywall. Sometimes they are called “Monkey hooks”. The way they work is you need to pierce the drywall ( sometimes just by hand with the long end of the hook) all the way through, then turn the hook in a way that it is pushing against the back of the drywall ( see image below) . This provides sufficient support and can be removed easily with minimal damage to the walls. ( yes, there still be a hole, but it is very small. You can just plaster it over when you move out)
3. Ceiling mount: Ceiling Tracks:
- If you are allowed to make small screw holes, VocalBoothToGo’s ceiling tracks allow you to slide blankets out of the way when not in use, essentially turning a corner of your living room into a “disappearing” studio. (https://vocalboothtogo.com/product/continuous-acoustic-blanket-mounting-tracks/ )
Mounting Tips to Improve Acoustics
Ideally, when you hang the acoustic blankets for sound absorption, the rules for the best sound:
- The Air Gap: Leaving a 2–3 inch gap between the blanket and the wall increases sound absorption efficiency. Normally, we would recommend hanging the blankets on a 2×4 stud installed at the top of the wall. For a temporary installation that is not going to work, so I would recommend placing the hooks closer, around 6 inches apart, so when you hang the blankets, they will be pleated and create the gap just by the nature of folded fabric. ( see below)
- Pleating: Hanging blankets in a “pleated” or accordion fashion (rather than stretched tight) allows them to capture more low-frequency sound waves, improving the NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) from 0.8 to 0.95.