Project features

The Project

Client: Pippa Murphy, composer & sound designer (composer, sound designer, producer) 
Setting: Her composer’s studio space, used for composition, mixing, sound design, and critical listening

Goals

Pippa needed to tame problematic room reflections, reduce reverberation, and improve acoustic clarity so her monitoring environment would be more reliable for composition, mixing, and sound design work.

Given the nature of her work crafting subtle textures, working with vocal and instrumental source material, and working across film, theatre, and installations, even small acoustic issues (flutter, ringing, smearing) could distort decisions made in the studio.

Challenges & Requirements

• Excessive reflections / flutter / high-frequency ringing off bare walls or ceiling surfaces

• Lack of clarity / muddiness in mid-to-high frequencies, making it harder to discern detail

• Non-invasive retrofit: Pippa wished to add acoustic treatment without major structural changes or complicated construction

• Aesthetic & environmental factors: preference for natural, breathable materials rather than heavy synthetic absorbers

• Balance: the room needed to remain “musical” (not overly dead), retaining some liveliness while controlling problematic reflections

The solution needed to deliver meaningful acoustic improvement but still be manageable in a working studio context.

Solution: Installation of Sisalwool Silent

• Product used: Sisalwool Silent 100

• Installation method & coverage:

  • ~12m² of 100mm insulation on a single end wall

  • Held to wall using wooden battens

  • No heavy structural work needed

• Timeline / labour:

  • Added by a single non-professional in a morning

Because Sisalwool is a flexible, breathable insulation material, it lends itself to relatively simple retrofitting. Cutting to size and fitting are straightforward, even for someone with little or no experience.

The Results

• Reduced unwanted reflections and flutter, especially in mid-high bands

• Cleaner acoustic field, with less smearing or coloration of instrument / vocal tracks

• More confident monitoring / mixing decisions, because the room behaves more predictably

• Quieter perceived environment, making critical listening sessions more comfortable

• Sensible retrofit in a working studio, with less disruption

• Sustainable / natural choice aligning with Pippa's environmental values

Key Takeaways

• Natural-fibre acoustic insulation (like Sisalwool Silent 100) can deliver significant acoustic improvement in performance / composition rooms without heavy structural overhaul

• Even modest coverage such as targeted treatment of key reflecting surfaces can yield perceptible clarity and reduction of unwanted acoustic artifacts

• The lightweight, breathable character of Sisalwool makes it well-suited for retrofit in studios, rehearsal spaces, listening rooms

• Artists, producers, and composers in small-to-medium spaces are likely to benefit from such treatments, especially when they require predictable, neutral acoustic behaviour