Hey everyone! I'm setting up my desk under the lofted bed in my dorm room, and I'm really concerned about keeping my roommate from getting disturbed. My gaming PC has loud fans and I want to bring in my filament 3D printer, but it's noisy too. Since I'll be doing a lot of voice chatting for gaming, homework, and work, I need to minimize noise as much as possible. If I can't soundproof the printer properly, I might have to leave it behind.
Here's what I'm thinking:
1. Hang a heavy sound-dampening curtain (like a moving blanket or mass loaded vinyl) around my desk space to create a sort of room (I'd probably only close this at night).
2. Add acoustic panels or blankets on the walls under the bed to absorb sound and reduce echo.
3. Use vibration isolation pads under my PC and 3D printer.
4. Make sure there's proper airflow so my gear doesn't overheat.
I'm worried this might not be enough, especially with the close range noise from the fans and printer. Should I combine materials, or is there something else I should consider? Any advice on balancing soundproofing with ventilation in a dorm room would be super helpful since I'm running out of time. Has anyone done a similar setup? What worked or didn't? Affordable materials or DIY tips would be awesome!
3 Answers
Consider adjusting your fan curves to lower the noise or maybe even removing some fans if it's safe to do so. An air to water cooler might also help. About your 3D printer, what model do you have? Using an enclosure can really dampen the noise. Just remember, 3D printers can be quite smelly, especially with certain materials!
Honestly, a dorm might not be the best place for a 3D printer. If it’s too loud, your roommate might end up resenting you for it. You could end up having a rough time if they can't stand the noise!
You might find that trying to completely soundproof your setup in a dorm is a bit of a challenge. Maybe focus on running the printer during the day when your roommate is out, and try to keep the PC off at night. Also, hanging heavy blankets around your setup could lead to some funny assumptions about your space, so just a heads-up!
Yeah, I really just want to reduce the noise. I get that I can't completely silence everything, but any little bit helps!