What would be an effective way to sound proof a small area?

I ask this because I've recently starting streaming. I do so in my living room, which is an open space. My bedroom is around 20-25 feet (rough guess) away from my computer. Now currently since it's hot out we have the AC on in the bedroom and in the living room, which helps drown out my voice when speaking. The issue comes when the door to my bedroom is open and she's sleeping or vice versa.

Basically I just want to contain my/her voice (just talking. not singing or playing an instrument) to the computer area so it doesn't wake any of us. The only solution I could come up with, which is probably a dumb one, is to buy a room divider and sort of close myself off or make it like a barrier around me and put some sound proof foam on it or something. I can't imagine that would be terribly effective though. Any suggestions?

The only solution I can think of is to soundproof the entire bedroom and then keep the door closed when you're making a bunch of noise. That, or she can try wearing earplugs, but that suggestion probably wouldn't go over so well.

Depending on your arrangements it might be extremely expensive / impractical to soundproof it. But foam on the walls will help absorb sound and all that, keeping the door closed, that kinda jazz.

If you have window AC's maybe you could turn down the fan speed o them, that drastically cuts down on the noise they make, if its at night then you probably dont need it going full blast, i'd hope at least unless you live in some horrible place. hanging blankets could also help absorb the sound if you wanna go all ghetto on it.

Drape yourself in blankets like some sort of shitty ghost.

Your room divider idea might work? Maybe? I'm no scientist. If you could close the bedroom door, that'd probably be the most effective way to stop it, honestly.

Carpet squares are cheap and usually do a decent job. However they are ugly as sin.

Yeah it wouldn't...lol. Like I said right now it's alright with the door closed and two AC's loud and kicking, but when the days come when they won't be on and the door is open, that's the tricky part.

I'm guessing those are exactly what they sound like? So I could just use those potentially to block some sound?

I'll have to take a picture or something of the setup so you can get a feel of the distance and whatnot.

@kishinfoulux: scrap carpeting from your local flooring company. Yep it's what it sounds like.

General idea is to hang it from walls, and have on the floor. If you happen to have a closet you don't need for storage they can be deadened really easily with carpet and or foam. (rooster teeth was doing this for awhile with the early RvB stuff)

Do you want it cheap or do you want it very very effective & attractive?

The cheap way: if you don't care about the wall, just use a few push-pins to hang special acoustical egg-crate foam...THAT IS FIRE RETARDANT...to hang. You would probably only need 1 inch think foam. Enough to cover 10 Sq feet is $70-$80. DO NOT BUY CHEAP FOAM...it must be Flammability UL-94 (Self Extinguishing) foam. BTW: Do not use candles, cigarettes, incense, or 'toke-up' in your room even if you have safe foam.

More expensive: You can buy acoustical tiles/panels meant for walls, they will be fireproof and will come in various sizes. They will look nicer but will cost far, far more.

Whatever you do be safe! I knew a dude who died in his dorm room because he had shit on his walls. His room when up like a god-damn wood-stove because he had blankets, tapestries and posters on his walls. Anything you use needs to be fire retardant and self extinguishing....BUT that just mean you might get 40 seconds to RUN if something lights up...

@kishinfoulux: A quick tip (which might be obvious or you already know but I didn't when I had a similar problem):

Sound dampening foam only works because of its density. The egg crate shaped foam that you see in studios (like the c-net studio where they record the Bombcast) works to disperse sound waves, but that just means reducing echo. That helps your sound quality (if it's surrounding you), but it doesn't really reduce the decibles. So if you go for that stuff, or anyhting similar, make sure you get a specific sound proofing product (and try to find reviews!).

Also, something like a single barrier in the room doesn't seem like it would do much to reduce the noise. If there are gaps, the sound gets through.

I'm sure there are some solutions, but I guess I just wanted to let you know that, in my experience at least, stopping sound can be a lot harder than it seems.

Could you try to just your microphone volume up and speak more quietly?

Now I'm terrified I'm gonna burn the house down. >_>

Hmmmm...I wasn't aware of that. Are you aware of any such products?

I speak pretty low as is. I guess the real test will come when Summer is over, the AC's are off and the doors are open again. Right now they are my greatest ally.

Not specifically, but as always, the internet knows all. I found this wonderful tutorial right now after just doing one YouTube search:

Ok, honestly, don't do that. I don't think that insulating foam would even stop sound very well (it's temperature insulation). Just couldn't resist showing off this dude's random hatred for Tecmo Bowl.

Really though, just keep looking around. There are lots of soundproofing business's sites that go into detail about their products. A lot of that stuff is pretty expensive, but remember, the best sound proofing is for bands with tons of loud amps and even rooms with loud machinery, so just being a person talking into a mic you'd probably get by with the cheaper (less effective) options.

And give google a general look. There may even be some forum for sound proofing. Consumer advice is always better than a business's, as they're the ones who have tried all the stuff and can give their honest impressions as opposed to people saying what they can to sell you something.

As others have mentioned, DIY options could be good too on the cheap. Carpet squares (stacked in multiple layers for more density) could work. And you could even go to some carpet stores and ask if they have any scraps or old samples you could take for free. Just, again, try to find other people's real experiences with those kind of materials before you put the effort in yourself.

Or, of course... move out so your mom isn't a problem. ;)

Good luck!

I'm reminded in Building the Bastion part 3 (7:48), they recorded Logan Cunningham in a closet with thick blankets. But actually a lot of voice actors do the same thing for their own portfolio work. What you can do is with 15 bucks shower curtains bars line them around the small room and use something thick like a comforter or beach towels. Since they are adjustable shower curtain rods you can take them off and have the room all presentable.

I wish I could help, but I find soundproofing to be a ... baffling... endeavor.

Eh? Ehhhh?

Not your best work, but nice effort nonetheless.

Blankets, carpets or towels is the most economic idea, but I don't know how feasible it is since you complained about the heat on your first post...

egg boxes .

Unfortunately, density is the only thing that will kill sound travel. If you're good with a saw perhaps you could save a few bucks and make something like:

Probably MDF board. Something thick n heavy.

Egg Cartons \m/ and thick sheets of polistirine stuck to the wall

in the GB studio where they film unprofessional fridays, old video game show, what are the boards brand name?

Murder everyone. If there is no one there to hear the sound, there never was any sound = soundproof.

I imagine two-year-old-thread problem has been solved, but I'd like to throw my vote in for a motorcycle helmet with a contact mic inside.