I am building my new studio in basement and I want to put wooden paneling in the walls and ceiling
since it'll be warm and I have seen some studio made in woods already. Any tips how to put panels to get 
most of the sound damping effect? Should the wood be painted, what kinda wood etc 
thanks

I don't know, but I'm interested. I think HOW you mount the panels would be very important. As in resonance. You could also set them up to perform some diffusion too. Or maybe you want some helmoltz resonators. Set them up with maybe an inch spacing between pannels with bass traps behind. Might help tame the lows without cutting out too much highs.

I think this can be a big topic with lots of options on how to use wood effectively. Can you post some more details? Like dimensions and positioning of everything and budget etc.

A smooth finish will reflect more high frequencies. A non lacquered finish would be definitely a little deader. I guess it would be fairly noticeable.

Density of wood will surely be the main factor in types of wood response. I think you tend to see higher density woods in studios. Stronger reflections and probably give a better sound than a softer wood, I suspect.

mattplaysguitar


I think this can be a big topic with lots of options on how to use wood effectively. Can you post some more details? Like dimensions and positioning of everything and budget etc. 

dimensions are roughly 23x15 feet and height 7.2. (or 7x4.5m height 2.20)- positions is still to be  think about since I don't have exact plans and improvising but it's going to be a rehearsal room for a small band as well as recording studio. Budget pretty much open but this is a hobby so I don't want to spent thousands :) 

Wood paneling.... in a studio.. probably OK but you have to treat it as any other reflective surface... it needs to be balanced with the non reflecting surfaces...

Wood paneling as a rehearsal space..... be sure it's nailed and glued down good..... if it's loose, it can cause buzzes and rattles that will drive you crazy. 

Either way...pack lots of insulation behind it to damp it and fill the resonating cavities to keep the paneling from vibrating excessively. 

good point, I didn't think about vibrating planks.

Here are some samples I found on the net with wooden music room so it got to work.

 

 

 

The tree trunk thing is cool.....and besides looking cool, there are NO flat reflective surfaces. The planks are rounded, still appear to have bark which breaks up the reflective surfaces even more and the throw runs on the floor break up that surface..... and I'll bet it has a woodsy aroma to that room as well. 

The bottom pic..... too much wood maybe......since it's all flat and it would appear to be a highly reflective room. 

Yea, Guitar, that last one looks ... woody.

Many of the studios I've been in have lots of wood - but not all wood all the time.  The cheaper wood panelling is just a surface w/ no real weight to it.  It will reflect more sound than sheetrock and more frequencies.  Most studios have a mix or wood and something else on opposite walls less reflective or counter-spaced.

A wood floor is always good and more useful.  A thick rug can be used against reflections, and in general the reflections go up to the ceiling.

@

I like the tree-trunk one. It might contribute some diffusion. But mostly it just looks cool.

There is, however, nothing magical about wood, acoustically-speaking. Use it because it looks good and makes performers feel comfortable. Just be sure to glue and nail (or better, screw) as Herb suggested, to prevent rattles.

bitflipper


There is, however, nothing magical about wood, acoustically-speaking. 

but I guess wood is way more absorbing sound then concrete or plaster wall, isn't it? 
Also when I put very dense panels making uneven surface it will be even better.

no, smoothness of wood would be a factor for reflection.

wood does not 'absorb' sound.

only specially designed baffles, foam, traps, etc, 'absorb' sound.


only MASS reduces sound transmission thru an object.

a MASS of wood (say, 8" thickness) would start to 'STOP' sound, and even then, not as well as 8" of brick or concrete block, or even better, solid concrete panels.