Gavin breaks down Noise Criterion (NC), a key metric used to measure how quiet a space really is. From HVAC systems to lighting buzz, NC ratings reveal what’s shaping your room’s background noise, and why small details can make a big difference in design cost, comfort, and clarity.

Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.media

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_

The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBP

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTF

Keep up with us on our Socials:

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/

- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns

- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/

#TheSOUNDProject #Acoustics #NoiseCriterion #HVACDesign #StudioDesign #SoundEngineering #HaverstickDesigns #QuietSpaces #proaudioheaven

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: What is Noise Criterion (NC)?

00:41 – Common causes of higher NC levels

02:05 – Target NC ratings by space type

03:50 – How to measure NC in real rooms

05:35 – Reading an NC curve

06:49 – Design fixes that improve NC ratings

08:37 – Why quiet rooms cost more to build

09:36 – Final thoughts on noise and design

Gavin sits down with Jacob “Biz” Morris of Reach Records for a relaxed Q&A on building a dream mix room, the Texas move, and why six inches kept his last studio from coming along. We talk speaker picks, ceiling height, real budgets, the mirror trick for first reflections, Trinnov tuning, and why Atmos keeps popping up in studios and cars.

Guest links:

Website: https://www.reachrecords.com/

Instagram: @jacobbizmorris

Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.media

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoreThanMedia_

The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBP

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTF

Keep up with us on our Socials:

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/

- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns

- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/

#TheSOUNDProject #HaverstickDesigns #BizMorris #ReachRecords #StudioDesign #Acoustics #Mixing #Trinnov #DolbyAtmos #HomeStudio #AudioEngineering #musicproduction

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome back to The SOUND Project

0:28 Biz makes podcast history (three-time guest)

1:06 The Atlanta studio that couldn’t move to Texas

2:00 How six inches changed everything

2:45 Starting over in Texas

3:20 Designing a new studio from scratch

4:00 One finished song and lessons from the old room

5:05 Why the new homeowner uses it as an office

6:02 Speaker talk, what makes a mix room “right”

7:25 The ceiling height sweet spot

8:20 Gavin’s ideal room dimensions

9:10 The Flex 48 and acoustic treatment talk

10:05 Budget realities of a pro studio

11:10 What isolation really costs

12:04 The mirror trick for first reflections

13:20 Studio vibes vs technical perfection

14:05 Mixing for Forrest Frank and life on tour

15:15 Building “Mixd” and why it’s growing fast

16:25 Finding purpose through sound and family

17:40 The future of Dolby Atmos

18:50 Why spatial audio isn’t going anywhere

19:40 Wrapping up, faith, sound, and slowing down

Gavin defines Impact Insulation Class (IIC) and shows how it relates to sound isolation for footsteps, furniture movement, and other floor-borne vibration. He contrasts IIC with STC (airborne noise), walks through the rating scale and typical code minimums, outlines recommended IIC targets for different building types, demonstrates how IIC is tested with a tapping machine (ASTM method; result rated per ASTM E989), and details practical ways to improve IIC, like carpet + pad, floor underlayment, floating floors, and when ceiling upgrades help. He also notes slab thickness effects and why avoiding stacked noise-sensitive rooms matters.

Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.media

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_

The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBP

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTF

Keep up with us on our Socials:

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverstickdesigns/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaverstickDesigns

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haverstickdesigns

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haverstick-designs/

- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haverstickdesigns

- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/

#SoundDesign #Acoustics #ImpactNoise #SoundIsolation #IIC #STC #RecordingStudioDesign #TheSOUNDProject #BuildingDesign #noisecontrol

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

00:08 – What is IIC (Impact Insulation Class)?

01:00 – Everyday examples of impact noise

01:47 – IIC performance ratings explained (poor to excellent)

02:28 – Recommended IIC levels for different building types

04:09 – IIC vs. STC: Impact vs. airborne noise

04:57 – Testing methods: tapping machine & ASTM standards

05:44 – How to improve IIC: carpets, underlayments, floating floors

07:21 – Ceiling treatments and design considerations

08:08 – Concrete slab thickness & room stacking issues

08:42 – Summary & key takeaways

09:26 – Outro