Covering your walls with clothes can provide some degree of sound absorption, but it may not be enough to fully soundproof your room for a basic home studio. Soundproofing and sound absorption are two different concepts, and achieving effective soundproofing typically involves more specialized techniques and materials.
Soundproofing aims to prevent sound from entering or leaving a room, whereas sound absorption focuses on reducing the amount of sound reflections within the room. Hanging clothes on the walls can help absorb some sound, particularly high-frequency sounds, and reduce echo, but it won't stop sound from passing through the walls.
For a basic home studio, you can consider the following steps to improve the sound quality and reduce noise:
Acoustic Treatment: Use acoustic panels, bass traps, and diffusers to control the sound reflections in the room. These materials are designed to absorb and scatter sound waves, enhancing the acoustics of the space.
Sealing gaps: Make sure your room is properly sealed to minimize sound leakage. Check for any gaps around doors, windows, and vents, and use weatherstripping or acoustic sealant to seal them.
Double-layered drywall: If possible, you can add an extra layer of drywall to the existing walls. Stagger the seams between the two layers to reduce sound transmission.
Mass-loaded vinyl: Consider using mass-loaded vinyl or MLV between the layers of drywall. MLV is a dense material that helps block sound transmission.
Heavy curtains or blankets: Hang heavy curtains or thick blankets over windows and doors to further improve sound absorption and block outside noise.
Flooring: Use thick rugs or carpets on the floor to reduce sound reflections and footstep noise.
Isolation for equipment: If you have loud equipment like air conditioners or fans, place them on isolation pads to reduce vibrations and noise transmission.
Remember that achieving complete soundproofing is challenging, especially in a residential setting, but taking these steps can significantly improve the acoustic performance of your home studio. If you require a higher level of soundproofing, you may need to invest in more advanced techniques, such as constructing a room within a room or using special soundproofing materials like resilient channels and acoustic insulation.