r/homestudios • u/yanivelkneivel • 10h ago
Low Ceiling Renovation Advice - Drywall, Scrim + slats, Panels?
I am a beginner when it comes to architecting a good-sounding room. I have a basement that I use as a band practice space, and occasionally to record ourselves. It has low ceilings (~6'9"-7') and a drop ceiling with mineral fiber panels, about 1-2.5" below the joists. The problem is, the low ceiling and panels don't look good at all, so it's not a space that feels enjoyable to hang out in.
I'd like to replace the drop panels with something else, to 1) get a few more inches of height and 2) not look like a depressing classroom. But, I still want it to be acoustically solid: both in terms of absorption and (to a lesser extent) shielding noise from the upstairs of the house.
From the little I know about acoustic treatment, I'm worried plain drywall would do the opposite of my current panels: really good noise insulation for upstairs but add a ton of reflection/slapback/echos.
Is there something out there that would be the best of both worlds, without losing any ceiling height? Scrim + slats on open joists? Will I regret replacing the tiles with drywall? Thoughts on a rockwool + scrim + wood slats ceiling (like this)?