Derrick CharlesWith more than a decade of experience in acoustic engineering, Derrick Charles is a trusted and reliable source for noise control and soundproofing. Driven by his passion for the field, he has become an expert at providing innovative solutions tailored specifically to meet each client’s unique needs. His dedication to excellence makes him one of the leading engineers around.
Education
Derrick had a passion for sound from an early age, so he pursued studies at two of the finest universities in California and graduated with honors. He earned his BSc degree in Acoustical Engineering at UCLA and also gained valuable knowledge by coupling it with a minor program in Music.
But Derrick wasn’t done there – motivated to go even further, he went on to acquire specialized expertise through UC Berkeley’s Master of Science coursework in Noise & Vibration Control.
Experience
With more than 15 years of experience in acoustic engineering, Derrick has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and knowledgeable professionals.
He started at a small consulting firm in Los Angeles, where he worked on residential, commercial, and industrial projects involving soundproofing and noise control measures.
In 2003, he joined a larger engineering team becoming a senior acoustic engineer with expertise ranging from airport-noise mitigation to theatre-sound proofing and noise control in industrial plants. Some examples reflect his deep understanding of implementing the best solutions for clients without compromising quality results or service delivery timelines.
Despite the range of customers (from smaller businesses to multinational corporations), his primary commitment is always helping others by creating customized strategies encompassing his passion for innovation and discovery.
Combined with personal values focused on a collaborative spirit leading to win/win situations, he is also a contributor to Architecture Lab, where he likes to share some of his experience and knowledge with its readers.
Soundproofing drywall is by far the most effective method to reduce noise in any space. If you want to find the ideal drywall for soundproofing, PABCO’s QuietRock, CertainTeed’s SilentFX, and National Gypsum’s SoundBreak provide some of the best products on the market. If you’re setting up your new house or will construct a new room …
Are you having a hard time getting in control of your home studio? Now might be the right time to invest in soundproof panels to ensure you get the best soundproofing experience. You’ll be surprised how they can effectively minimize echo and vibrations from the entire room. But wait, merely picking acoustic panels without the …
The best technique to soundproof windows is to use double glazing or extra layers of glass. Window plugs, seals, storm windows, and soundproof drapes are affordable substitutes. If you reside in a busy urban region, noise can be a pain to deal with. Additionally, the fact that most noise is uncontrollable, like birds chirping, can …
Wall soundproofing is an excellent way of dealing with noise coming from the outside or between rooms. You can use acoustic panels, soundproof curtains, acoustic caulk, and more to block or absorb sounds effectively. Sound waves travel through cracks, holes, light fixtures, switch boxes, or any gaps in your room, regardless if it is a …
Living in a busy city or simply wanting to keep yourself from disturbing your neighbors doesn’t have to cost a lot. Soundproof curtains are a great way to contain or block sound without drastically changing your home. We don’t have control over the noise that happens outside. The best we can do is find a …
Project costs will differ based on room size—costs for soundproofing range from $1,036 to $2,721. Soundproofing a room costs between $10 and $30 per square foot. In a house, sound travels pretty substantially. Many homeowners choose soundproofing techniques to lessen noise in their homes and create a more cozy, calm living space. Any homeowner can …
Relaxing at home with noisy neighbors or loud music from upstairs can be hard. However, there are ceiling soundproofing solutions that can help enhance your environment and your life satisfaction. Whether you’re living in an apartment or a multi-level home, soundproofing ceilings are ESSENTIAL. This article discusses how to soundproof a ceiling and different types …
There are many ways to soundproof a room to optimize it for music and recording, like decoupling, using thick sound-absorbing materials, and sealing gaps. With these methods, you can sufficiently enjoy a room with a reduced transfer of sound waves. Preventing sound waves from exiting and entering a room through the ceiling, window, or walls …
The best way to soundproof your tile floor is to use thick, sound-absorbing materials like mass loaded vinyl, rubber underlayment, antivibration mats, and thick carpet pads. You can place these underneath your carpets to still maintain your home’s aesthetic appeal. Unwanted noises from other rooms are annoying, especially if the sound transmission comes from above. …
Sound is a very important component in the gaming experience if you’re a gamer. So whether you’re building your soundproof room from scratch, redoing it, or remedying it to make it soundproof, we’ve compiled all the best methods for you! You no longer have to worry about the loud noises your setup produces while playing, …
Soundproofing your floors will depend on what kind of sounds you want to reduce and how well your current flooring is blocking sound. But there are many ways to deal with it. In this project, you could use one method or combine a few different ones to get your desired results. Ready to look at …
There are a few DIY methods to soundproof thin walls in apartments, like hanging soundproof blankets, curtains, acoustic panels, and mass loaded vinyl. But if you can make the investment, professional construction work will yield the best results. Airborne noise and impact noise transmission between the typical thin walls of many apartments in the United …
Soundproofing materials are designed to reduce noise or completely block sound. One way or the other, these are essential tools if you want to make your home a quieter place to relax or want to reduce the impact noise makes in your surrounding area. From soundproof panels to curtains and many more, it can be …
Soundproofing a garage involves using acoustic foam, curtains, blankets, carpets, and decoupling to reduce the amount of noise that gets in and out. Have you tried to play musical instruments in your garage and ended up angering your neighbors? Are you trying to block out noise from outside coming in? Combining different methods of soundproofing …
Soundproof insulation is a means to control sound by blocking and interfering with sound waves. By using materials like mineral wool, fiberglass, and foam, you’ll be able to insulate your home and reduce noise. Noise is unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you should live it with. Everyone needs quiet time every once and a while. …
A noisy garage can attract unwanted attention and noise complaints from neighbors and passersby. Luckily, there are numerous ways to easily get your garage door soundproof, depending on your budget and preferences. Soundproofing your garage door can be a trial-and-error process. There’s no perfect method for doing this process. We’ve gathered the most common ways …
You can easily soundproof hardwood floors by installing an underlayment, using green glue to attach wood flooring, adding carpets and rubber mats, and inserting deck screws. As beautiful as they are, hardwood floors aren’t the best for blocking out noise. It’s the worst for intimate living spaces like apartment buildings – especially if you have …
The best approach to soundproof basement ceilings is by adding mass. To stop the noise, you must use a resilient channel to disconnect the ceiling from the floor joists. Basements can be used as a home office or a comfortable cot. Some people turn their basements into libraries or home music studios. As such, it …
