Recording Studio Acoustic Requirements Under ISO 3382
Music recording studios, vocal booths, podcast rooms. Typical volume: 20-200 m³.
What ISO 3382 Requires for a Recording Studio
Clause reference: ISO 3382-1:2009 Annex B
RT60 target: Live room: 0.3-0.5s | Dead room: 0.1-0.2s
Background noise limit: NR-10 to NR-15
Measurement condition: Treated, unoccupied
Note: No single mandatory standard — ISO 3382-1 provides measurement reference
How to Calculate ISO 3382 Compliance for a Recording Studio
- 1
Identify the applicable standard and target
Look up ISO 3382 (ISO 3382-1:2009 Annex B). For a recording studio, the RT60 target is Live room: 0.3-0.5s | Dead room: 0.1-0.2s. Measurement condition: treated, unoccupied.
- 2
Measure or model the room geometry
Record the length, width, and height of the room to calculate the volume. A typical recording studio has a volume of 20-200 m³.
- 3
List all surfaces and their absorption coefficients
For each surface (floor, ceiling, walls, windows, doors), find the absorption coefficient at each octave band frequency (125Hz to 4kHz) from ISO 354 test data or a materials database.
- 4
Calculate total absorption and apply the Sabine or Eyring equation
Sum all surface absorption values: A = sum of (alpha x area). Then apply T60 = 0.161 x V / A (Sabine) or T60 = -0.161 x V / (S x ln(1 - alpha_avg)) (Eyring). Use Eyring when average alpha exceeds 0.20.
- 5
Compare result against the standard and specify treatment if needed
If the calculated RT60 exceeds the target of Live room: 0.3-0.5s | Dead room: 0.1-0.2s, specify additional absorption. Full wall + ceiling treatment is typical for a recording studio to achieve compliance.
Typical Acoustic Treatment for a Recording Studio
Treatment Area
Full wall + ceiling treatment
Estimated Cost
£350-£600/m² of floor area
Frequently Asked Questions
What RT60 does ISO 3382 require for a recording studio?
ISO 3382 (ISO 3382-1:2009 Annex B) requires a reverberation time of Live room: 0.3-0.5s | Dead room: 0.1-0.2s for recording studio spaces, measured in the treated, unoccupied condition per ISO 3382-2.
What background noise level is acceptable in a recording studio under ISO 3382?
ISO 3382 sets a background noise limit of NR-10 to NR-15 for recording studio spaces. This typically refers to HVAC and building services noise measured with the room unoccupied.
How much acoustic treatment does a recording studio need to comply with ISO 3382?
A typical recording studio requires Full wall + ceiling treatment of acoustic treatment to meet ISO 3382 compliance. Estimated installed cost is £350-£600/m² of floor area.
Calculate ISO 3382 Compliance for Your Recording Studio
Enter your room dimensions, select materials, and instantly verify compliance against ISO 3382. Free, no signup required.
Open Free RT60 Calculator