Suggestions for building a studio
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Posted on Aug 28, 2004 07:37 am
riffgod
www.charlienaebeck.com
Member Since: Apr 10, 2004
Hey everyone,
Well, I am debating on embarking on a new project to build a studio out of a 18 ft x 30 ft room that has an approximate 18 ft tall ceiling at the peak and 7 ft tall where the peak meets the walls. I'm thinking of attempting to make a control room, tracking room, couple iso booths, and possibly a small lounge area out of this space if possible.
I am looking to possibly complete this project over the next year or so roughly and it is going to need electrical, building supplies, heating, and a bit of repair for the flooring being it is in an older building. My goal is to create a great sounding room and then move in and evaluate if we will need more gear from there.
Any suggestions for what we will need to pick up for supplies..etc.. or with that size space, how much space we should alot for a control room, tracking room, iso booths..etc.. Any links that you all know of on how to build this kind of thing would be greatly appreciated also. :)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions. peace
Charlie
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Aug 28, 2004 11:20 am Big one for me (other than the resources available here, of course) is www.auralex.com - they have a .pdf book called "acoustics 101" with lots of great design tips, "do it right the first time" type stuff. There's a new ed. out I haven't read yet, but I know the last one was great, so this is probably even better!
riffgodwww.charlienaebeck.comMember
Since: Apr 10, 2004
Aug 28, 2004 03:41 pm Thanks for the suggestion. I actually had come across the auralex site in my search so far and read through most of the info. :) It is very helpful in how to pad the room. Although, some of their prices for the foam are a little bit steep when you can get the same type of foam from a local plastics manufacturer for about $35 usually. :)
Has anyone out here on the HRC ever heard of John Sayers before? Everyone keeps telling me that I should contact him for a room design for this project. I have been hearing a lot of good things, but am afraid that I would break the bank attempting a studio design. lol
Aug 28, 2004 05:34 pm Yes very much contact John Sayers. If you don't feel you have the cash to have him consult with you, at least go to his forum. He will give you design ideas and work with you that way as well.
I think it's kinda stupid to spend a large amount of money and end up with a crappy room when you already probly have that (no disrespect). If you do it right, it won't be cheep but it will sound like a million bucks!
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Aug 29, 2004 02:48 pm Definitely float the rooms... you will thank yourself a million times for doing so.
riffgodwww.charlienaebeck.comMember
Since: Apr 10, 2004
Aug 30, 2004 05:26 pm Thanks Bennis, I will atleast check out his forums. :)
el musico: float the rooms? you mean build them up and insulate underneath them installing bass traps in the corners...etc..etc..etc. right?
I semi have a plan for this one at the moment. The floor in the one large room I am turning into all the smaller rooms is in desperate need of replacement anyways so I am going to level it out and lay down plywood, then a layer of rubber, then plywood, then insulation, then another layer and finish it off for a pretty sweet sound proofing job.
First step which actually started today with the room is to kind of do a reconnisance mission and survey the situation and clean it out. It is on the second floor of an old garage and is actually 30 x 20 with a nice 18ft ceiling at the peak (7ft where it meets the walls according to measurements today. I also have a lot (and I do stress A LOT) of old boards that have been stored up there in a massive heap for centuries or something that I have to find a way to do something with one way or another before I can start in on the floor job. Not to mention the walls are pretty much the beams of the building on the inside with boards on the outside to put up the building at the moment (sort of like a barn almost).
I also took some pics that I am going to upload in the morning to my site (charlienaebeck.com) if my digital camera will ever finish charging so I can get the pics off of it. lol
Next step for tommorow: Does anyone know what to do with a 15 ft wide by 20 ft (4ft tall) pile of ancient boards? I am thinking I should invite everyone over and have a large bon fire? :D
Do you guys know of any places that would recycle the boards if I could get them hauled somewhere?
Thanks for the info and suggestions to all. I appreciate everyones help. :)
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Aug 30, 2004 08:38 pm Remember to stretch before y'a tackle that jorb ! That's probably some good wood to use for your cieling job . Why not clean it up (shopvac+earplugs), rent a nail-gun , and tack it to the beams you mentioned for the first 'upper' layer . Depending on the depth of the beams, and how the roof is situated you may be able to use the space for a ventalation system, which will come in very handy . Good luck, sounds like a great space to work with .
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Aug 30, 2004 09:00 pm what i meant by "float the rooms" (without drawing up plans) is basically making a room within a room by building a new floor that is mounted on rubber feet with some space between the existing floor and new floor... do this also with the walls and make sure you don't have any 90 angles. of course this is a simple explaination.
riffgodwww.charlienaebeck.comMember
Since: Apr 10, 2004
Sep 01, 2004 11:45 am Hue: Thanks, yes I do believe it will be a pretty cool space to work with. :) Good advice on stretching before working with all the lifting and what not. :)
el musico: ahh, gotcha. I did a rough layout at: www.ntertainmentgroup.com/charlie/studio if you would like to check out a ball park figure of what I have going so far. :)
I am intending on putting down a floated floor for isolation over the existant one caus the one that is there needs a good replacing anyhow for safetys sake. :)
The suggestion I have gotten from Bryan over at the Johnlsayers.com site also was to throw in a few more slat resonators and bass traps for my live room and control room in my design. I also might switch the layout to be reverse of what it is now if I use the inside staircase that leads up there at the moment.
Let me know what you guys think of the layout so far when you get a chance. Thanks peace
Charlie
