As an instructional designer who’s recorded various projects in both my home studio and professional studios over the years, I’ve discovered that having access to incredible hardware and advanced software doesn’t matter at all if the studio acoustics aren’t right. Yes, you can spend a fortune to have a studio outfitted with custom acoustic treatments, but I’ve found a secret weapon that works wonders: soundproof curtains or draperies (also sometimes called “acoustic curtains”).
Using soundproof curtains for studio audio control is a fast, easy, and affordable way to isolate sounds and make better use of any recording space. They offer a practical and effective way to improve the recording environment and enhance the overall audio quality of recordings because they’re specially designed to absorb and block sound waves, helping to reduce unwanted external noise and minimize sound reflections within the room.
As recording engineer and producer Adam Sliger at Sunray Recording Studio told us, “Soundproofing curtains can definitely be effective. If you are hearing sound reflect off of a window, soundproofing curtains can take away that smooth surface and prevent reflections from bouncing around the room.”
I know it can be difficult searching for the right soundproof curtains for acoustic control since there are so many choices out there. To help you out, I reviewed 40 different products, but in the end, only 9 made the cut when it came to being among the very best soundproof curtains worth trying. I rated the acoustic curtains based on several factors, like materials used, effectiveness at sound absorption, customer reviews, cost, and more (click here to learn about our entire Editorial Process & Methodology for product reviews).
What are the Best Soundproof Curtains?
Take a look at the list below to see which sound absorbing curtains I tested, but keep reading to see my in-depth review of each product as well as a list of the features I really liked, the pros and cons of each product I tested and insightful YouTube videos to help you find the right solution for your recording needs.
When looking for products to test, I tried to think about my own experiences over the years. If you have a professional studio that was designed with acoustic principles in mind, you likely don’t have outward-facing windows in recording spaces.
If, on the other hand, you have a home studio, you may have windows and doors all over that can benefit from soundproofing fabrics and noise reduction products.
In either case, I tried to find noise reduction solutions that would be a great fit for either type of recording situation.
1. DWCN
I tried the DWCN blackout curtains in a number of areas of my home studio and my professional studio. Right off the bat, I was really impressed by the professional construction and soft feel of the product.
In terms of controlling sound waves, I got the best results in my home studio when trying to control ambient noise. Although I already have plenty of soundproofing in my home studio, ambient noise from exterior sources can still be an issue.
These soundproof curtains don’t come with grommets, so I used a simple curtain rod and layered them around my doors and windows. Even with my neighbor mowing his yard down the street, my sensitize condenser mic didn’t pick up much of the outside noise.
Features
- Made from 100% polyester
- Reduces glare from studio lighting and outdoor sources
- Triple-weaved fabric
- Can filter up to 70% of ambient noise
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Available in a variety of colors
- Different sizes available to fit your needs
- Thermal insulation controls temperatures
- Effective noise reduction curtains for most studio environments
Cons
- Grommets not pre-installed
- May require layering to block sound
Best For: Home studio owners who need budget-friendly sound control
Killer Feature: Triple-weave fabric construction improves durability
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2. NICETOWN
The NICETOWN 100% blackout curtains are one of my top picks, and they performed exceptionally well during my testing. I tried these sound dampening curtains over my studio windows to block out street noise, but I also tested them for dividing sections of vocalists in my main room.
The large size of the 52” x 108” model was more than enough to cover my windows, and it also gave me plenty of room to work with when setting up my divider.
Using these products, I was able to isolate the room noise and sounds I wanted, reduce reflections dramatically in my mixing room and keep unwanted noise and sound energy from getting into my recording.
Features
- Thermal insulation
- Excellent sound absorption
- Available in a variety of colors
- Polyester fabric feels soft and looks professional
- Black liner reduces light and glare
- Machine-washable
Pros
- Great sound absorption with one layer
- Includes grommets
- Can divide recording spaces for isolation
- Able to be used in vocal booths
- Performs better than most noise reduction curtains
- Big enough to cover huge windows in many cases
Cons
- May require additional hardware to mount
- A little heavier than other options
Best For: Mixing rooms and larger studio recording spaces
Killer Feature: Multi-layer design reduces the need to purchase a lot of extra fabric
In this video, Soundproof Guide tests draperies from NICETOWN to see how they hold up in a real-world recording environment. Using meters and more, this video demonstrates the capabilities of NICETOWN products when it comes to reducing reflections and controlling ambient noise.
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3. Rutterllow
Although the Rutterllow blackout sound blocking curtains aren’t available in sizes as large as some of the other options I tested, I still found this product to be more than sufficient for blocking ambient noise from my studio windows. I also tested these draperies in my vocal booth by layering them against a few hard surfaces.
In both instances, I noticed a reduction in reflections, and I hardly noticed any ambient noise from outside at all. In fact, using my digital audio workstation software, I was able to eliminate it entirely.
The best part is that these soundproof curtains are more than affordable for pretty much any recording budget. This alone makes them a worthwhile investment to have around for various sound control needs.
Features
- Temperature control through thermal-blocking fabric
- Can be used to for sound absorption and reduction all around the studio
- Grommets already installed
- Blackout fabric eliminates glare from studio lights
Pros
- Reduces unwanted noise with just a few layers
- Affordable budget soundproof curtains
- Available in a variety of colors
- Size choices fit most standard windows
Cons
- May require layers to deliver results
- Hardware required for ceiling mounting
Best For: Vocal booth sound dampening and ambient noise filtering on windows
Killer Feature: Thermal fabric works well to reduce temperatures in mixing rooms
When using any type of acoustic treatment, there is such a thing as too much. Deadening a room completely can suck the life out of a performance, so it’s important to strike a balance between acoustic control and natural reverberation.
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4. Deconovo
The Deconovo blackout curtains excel at more than just darkening a room. I tried these products out in my mixing room and was able to hear a difference before I even got started recording.
Once mounted, they were able to reduce ambient outside noise from the other room. I also noticed a difference in speech clarity when talking to others during breaks in my mixing session.
Natural tones were allowed to flourish, but there was less of a sense of space in the room. This was also repeated when I installed the Deconovo draperies on the windows around my recording space.
Features
- Soundproofing curtains available in 29 colors
- Comes in sizes up to 42” x 120”
- Grommets come pre-installed
- Polyester fabric weave
- Available as single panels
Pros
- Thermal insulation keeps talent and equipment cool
- Blocks glare from outdoor light
- Affordable option for sound control
- Able to be cleaned in a standard washing machine
Cons
- May need to be layered for desired sound control
- Can require extra mounting hardware in some situations
Best For: Controlling acoustics in console rooms with windows
Killer Feature: Includes grommets for easy hanging and mounting
Using soundproof fabric products, you can make use of more areas in your recording space.
I like to cordon off different sections in my main recording room for different types of vocalists when recording groups of singers. This allows me to get everyone in the same room during a take instead of having each vocalist in a separate booth or recording to a dub track.
I find that this works well when recording voice-over work as well. In fact, I use this technique when recording YouTube videos featuring multiple voice actors. You can learn more about some of the best microphones for YouTube in this article.
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5. RYB Home
As the name suggests, the RYB Home room divider sound dampening curtains work great for dividing up a recording spaces into different sections. This is a great way to isolate sound from one another when recording different sounds at the same time in the same space.
During my testing, I recorded a number of different vocalists in my main room using the RYB Home divider curtains as my only means of sectioning things off. I found a lot of success by hanging these products from a ceiling bracket and allowing everyone to perform naturally.
I also tried these in my console room during a mixing session. I found that they provided a great deal of sound dampening, especially in the top end.
Features
- Soundproof curtains come in sizes up to 20’ x 9’
- 100% polyester fabric
- Includes metal grommets already installed
- Triple-woven fabric
- Dampens reflections in console rooms with ease
Pros
- Can be used to cover bay windows and other large openings
- Able to be used to divide large recording spaces
- Good level of sound absorption
- Works well in blocking temperature shifts
- Durable and machine-washable
Cons
- Large size may be difficult to manage in small spaces
- Special mounting hardware may be required to handle size
Best For: Cordoning off main rooms for different recording talent
Killer Feature: Available in extra large sizes to cover open recording spaces
In this video from Acoustic Fields, take a deep dive into how soundproof curtains work, learn the definition of soundproofing as it applies to reducing sound in the studio and find out how to get better acoustics for your recordings.
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6. H. VERSAILTEX
The H. Versailtex blackout curtain provides a lot of coverage as the model I tested measured in at 108” long. This gave me plenty of fabric to work with, and I was even able to double up the curtain to create a separate layer.
In terms of sound control, these products did a fairly good job at controlling reverb. When used on windows, they blocked ambient noise from outdoors well enough that I didn’t have to spend a lot of time in post cleaning things up.
I like the look of the design, and the fact that grommets already came pre-installed made it easy and fast to hang the fabric around the studio. The linen fabric didn’t hold up in terms of blocking sound as much as some of the thicker and heavier products I tested, but for general noise reduction, I was more than satisfied.
Features
- Available in 12 colors
- Comes in unique plaid patterns
- Thermal insulation protects against heat shifts
- Anti-glare blackout fabric darkens outdoor light
- Quality warranty covers eight years
Pros
- Improves energy efficiency when used on studio windows
- Reduces ambient and unwanted sound
- Stylish in virtually any studio setting or indoor space
- Can be used to dampen reflections in a vocal booth
Cons
- May need to use layers for desired effect
- Requires a 1/2” rod for hanging
Best For: Sound reduction in mixing rooms
Killer Feature: Includes eight-year quality warranty for peace of mind
When using a sound blocking curtain that has thermal insulation, remember that small, enclosed spaces can get hot fast. This means that you need to be careful when using a thermal curtain in a vocal booth as the thermal layer could cause a vocalist to become too hot.
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7. Rose Home Fashion
The vocal booth is one of the few places in a studio that requires total acoustic control. There are plenty of ways to achieve this, but some can reduce natural tones so much that they destroy a performance.
When I tested the Rose Home Fashion blackout option, I was very happy with the results. They added just enough dampening in the vocal booth without completely draining the life out of the sound.
I also installed these soundproof curtains over some windows in my studio and measured the sound coming from outside. During my testing, I didn’t hear much in the way of ambient noise, and only a little bit showed up on my final recording.
Features
- Unique burlap fabric weave adds thickness
- Sewn-in liner blocks light and sound
- Sizes available up to 50” x 108”
- Eight silver grommets pre-installed
- Reduces glare from outdoor and studio light
Pros
- Works well to block out ambient sound
- Tames reflections in vocal booths
- Has a vintage look
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Only available in six colors
- Liner may weigh fabric down
Best For: Vocal booth sound control and exterior sound reduction
Killer Feature: Internal liner blocks sound without taking away from the design
If you’re going to divide a recording space with fabrics to isolate different musicians, it’s best to provide each musician with a set of headphones. You can communicate with recording talent from the console room, and talent can talk back through the mic they are recording with.
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8. MIUCO
The MIUCO thermal insulated soundproof curtains boast about balancing energy-efficiency through thermal control. I found this to be the case as they kept my studio at an even temperature despite the weather outside.
Because of this quality, I tried using these in my vocal booth to see how well they would do to keep my vocalist comfortable. She said that during the entire session, she didn’t experience any shifts in temperature and she remained comfortable the entire time.
Regarding the sound control factor, these sound blocking curtains did a good job at reducing early and late reflections. I hung one set on the large window of my console room and draped another set in the back of the room. This keep things neutral during mixing, and I feel I came out with a better final mix because of these as a result.
Features
- Thermal design balances indoor temperatures
- Blocks nearly 60% of outdoor ambient noise
- Reduces outdoor light from windows by 98%
- Includes tie-backs
Pros
- Available in 18 colors
- Includes grommets
- Wide side and bottom hems for durability
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Only available in three sizes
- May wrinkle easily with cleaning
Best For: Vocal booth acoustic treatment and sound control in console rooms
Killer Feature: Energy-efficient design works well to balance temperatures in recording spaces
In this video, Kennis Russell talks about how soundproof fabrics can be used in-studio and in home theater environments to not only control sound, but also to control light. You’ll learn some interesting acoustic principles as well as how to effectively use soundproof draperies to shape your audio environment.
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9. BGment
I tested a lot of different sound reducing curtains for this article, but I really liked the BGment blackout product. They did a fantastic job at keeping my recording space balanced in terms of temperature, and they also blocked a lot of unwanted external noise from outside of the studio.
When testing them in my studio, I placed them as a divider between two vocalists to reduce sound bleed. This worked well as I was able to capture both vocalists at once without both voices seeping into each other’s tracks in the mixer.
I also hung these products up in my mixing room and was impressed by their ability to balance reflections with the natural tone of the room. The best part was I didn’t have to spend an arm and a leg on expensive acoustic treatments to get this result.
Features
- Thermal insulation keeps recording spaces balanced
- Reduces unwanted noise from outside sources
- Can be used to isolate vocalists and musicians
- Easy to layer
- Affordable price point
Pros
- Available in 23 colors
- Great for sound deadening in any space
- Grommets are pre-installed
- Machine-washable
- Blocks out up to 99% of light to reduce glare
Cons
- Could stand to be thicker to absorb sound even better
- Grommets may slide too easily on metal rods
Best For: Console rooms with windows and recording spaces that need to stay cool
Killer Feature: Pre-installed grommets offer multiple mounting options
If you’re using grommets that slide on a hanging rod, consider affixing the edges of the draperies to a secure surface. The sound of sliding metal or plastic could come through if a curtain gets moved during a recording session.
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Other Must-Haves
During my testing, I found that there are a number of ways to improve the efficiency of soundproof draperies by having some accessories available.
Below, I’m outlining some must-have items that can enhance your recording experience when using sound dampening curtains:
Curtain Rods
Once you have your acoustic soundproofing, you’re likely going to want to mount it. This is the case whether you’re using draperies to divide a recording space or you’re using them to reduce reflections off of hard surfaces.
Curtain rods are ideal for mounting this type of soundproofing because you can extend and collapse many rods to the right size. You also achieve greater stability by mounting on a rod since the weight distribution of heavy draperies can be controlled.
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Ceiling Mount Brackets
Ceiling mounting brackets are another must-have item for working with sound-control fabrics in a studio setting. Mounting brackets that are installed into a studio ceiling can serve as a permanent fixture that allows you to change out various soundproofing draperies based on your needs for that particular project.
When installing brackets in a ceiling, try to be forward-thinking. This is to say that you should think about the placement and size in order to accommodate changing needs in the future as well as curtain rods of differing sizes and products of differing weights.
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Holdbacks
Although holdbacks are typically used to keep window coverings open to allow light in, they can also be used to keep your soundproof draperies out of the way in the studio. This is important around expensive and fragile recording equipment since a snag or pull on a piece of curtain fabric could lead to a nasty spill, damage and injuries.
I often install holdbacks for my studio draperies when I know I’ll need to make adjustments to them throughout the recording process. This also helps keep my recording space tidy when I’m not in the middle of a session that requires soundproof draperies.
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Useful Resources
- How to choose the right soundproof curtains
- Science of soundproofing
- How to build a soundproof room
- Most effective soundproofing materials
- Soundproofing vs sound absorbing – what’s the difference?
- Egg carton soundproofing: Does it work?
- Soundproofing vs sound treatment
Final Thoughts
You may be surprised to find out just how much of a difference it can make to add an extra layer or move a piece of fabric when working with soundproof curtains for studio audio control.
Acoustics can be tricky to tame, especially when using sensitive condenser mics. This is why you should take the time to find the options that work best for your needs (incidentally, you can learn more about condenser mics and how to select the best for your project in this article.)
Have any questions about choosing the best soundproof curtains for your space? Leave a comment and I’ll help you out.