When introducing a soundproof room, there is a challenge almost as critical as “not letting the sound leak out.” It is “controlling the temperature and humidity in a severe, sealed environment.”
The higher the soundproof performance of a room, the higher its airtightness and insulation properties become. This means that the heat and moisture generated by humans, as well as the heat exhausted from PCs and other equipment, easily get trapped inside. Let’s go over the basics of correct temperature and humidity management to prevent the room from turning into the worst possible environment: “a sauna in summer, a condensation trap in winter, and covered in mold during the rainy season.”
1. Why “Humidity Management” is Most Important for Soundproof Rooms#
Most problems in a soundproof room stem from “humidity” rather than “temperature.”
- Mold and Mite Infestation: When the humidity exceeds 60% and the air stagnates, mold and mites breed deep within the thick sound-absorbing materials. Once established, complete removal is extremely difficult.
- Shortened Lifespan of Gear/Instruments: Wooden instruments like guitars and pianos are vulnerable to sudden changes in humidity, and precision equipment like condenser microphones can malfunction under high humidity.
- The Terror of Condensation: During winter, a sharp difference between outside air temperature and room temperature causes condensation on walls and window frames. If this seeps into the sound-absorbing material, it delivers a fatal blow to the soundproofing performance.
[Optimal Target Values] It is considered ideal to always maintain a temperature of 20 - 25°C / a humidity of 40 - 50% inside a soundproof room.
2. Seasonal Strategies for “Dehumidification and Humidification”#
Rainy Season to Summer: Thorough Dehumidification and Heat Exhaustion#
The Japanese summer is the harshest season for a soundproof room.
- Utilize the Air Conditioner’s “Reheat Dehumidification (再熱除湿)”: Simple “cooling” alone cannot lower humidity sufficiently. We strongly recommend investing in a high-end air conditioner with a “reheat dehumidification function,” which effectively lowers humidity without making the room temperature too cold.
- Consider Using a Small Dehumidifier in Tandem: In a tiny, ultra-compact booth where an AC cannot be installed, you might want to bring in a compressor-type dehumidifier. However, you will encounter the dilemma of “operating noise” and “heat exhaust (raising the room temperature).” During summer, using a quiet, low-heat-generating type (like a Peltier-type) as a supplement is more realistic.
Winter to Spring: Countermeasures Against Dryness and Condensation#
Conversely, in winter, using an indoor heater makes the air extremely dry.
- Introducing an Evaporative Humidifier: How you choose a humidifier is crucial. Ultrasonic types are a “no-go” because the calcium (white powder) in the mist will settle on precision equipment and instrument surfaces. Choose an “evaporative (気化式)” type or a “steam (スチーム式) type (be mindful of the room temperature rising).”
- Never Turn Off the Ventilator (Run it 24 Hrs): Turning off the ventilation fan simply because it’s cold leaves the moisture contained in human breath with nowhere to escape, instantly leading to window condensation.
3. The Correct Rules of Ventilation to Prevent “Condensation” Before It Starts#
If condensation occurs inside the walls or floor of a soundproof room (internal condensation), the building materials will corrode in areas you cannot see.
The Greatness of the Lossnay (Heat Exchange Ventilator)#
A standard ventilation fan (like a pipe fan) merely throws the indoor air outside. It directly pulls in cold outside air in winter and hot air in summer.
In contrast, Mitsubishi Electric’s “Lossnay,” which is standardly adopted in authentic soundproof rooms by Yamaha, Kawai, and others, performs a “heat exchange” between the exhaust air and the intake air. In short, it is an epoch-making ventilation fan that can “bring in the cold winter air after slightly warming it, and bring in the hot summer air after slightly cooling it.” It also leads to substantial savings on your air conditioner’s electricity bill.
The Ironclad Rule of Continuous Operation#
Not only while using the soundproof room but also “while it is not in use, NEVER turn off the power to the ventilation fan (Lossnay).” This is the ultimate ironclad rule. Continuously keeping the air moving is the greatest secret to making your soundproof room last a long time.
Conclusion: Air Conditioning Design is a Part of “Soundproofing Design”#
When getting quotes for a soundproof room, you tend to only look at the “base price of the main unit,” but you must never skimp on the “cost of installing a dedicated air conditioner and Lossnay for the soundproof room.”
- It extends the life of your instruments and gear.
- It protects your health and creativity.
- It protects the soundproof room itself from mold and corrosion.
Only with a perfect air conditioning design does a soundproof room truly begin to function as a “comfortable private studio.”
