Studio Display...

[Shout It Out]

Well this a little beyond the main topics of this forum, but I would like to know how to light my studio efficiently. Right now I have 2 Flourescents and i want to cover them with my ceiling tiles so they will gone. How should i light my control room then?? I can't stand working under the headache of flourescents...any suggestions.


...that is an old picture but it gives you the colors of the room, white drywall and some wood paneling and the main colors are tan and green...I am just looking for a more comfortable place to mix in. Should I go with floor lamps or install little cans in all 4 corners of the room?

[Cluric]

recessed lighting is always nice, or wall sconces

[Dani Pace]

Get rid of the florescents!!! Florescent lights are a pain in more ways than one. Yes they give lots of people headaches and have even been reported to unduce seizures in some people. They also cause a lot of hum and if the ballast is bad (or even weak) they will cause a lot of EMI (electro magnetic interferance.) Electric instruments and recording equipment are particularly sensitive to this type of interference. If you have aliminum wiring this will be even more noticeable.
Recessed light fixtures are nice, nothing hanging down in the room. If you don't mind seeing the cans, track lighting is easy to install and allows you to focus light where you need it. A floor lamp or two are always handy to have around in case you need some extra light. Avoid the halogen type, they cause interference too.
Tinted covers help to soften light much better than colored bulbs and will help to relieve some eye strain that harsh lighting can cause. You need your rooms well lit but not so bright that you have to squint or wear sunglasses.

[HapiCmpur]

In general, any room is best lit from several different sources. For instance, it's helpful to have at least one source of ambient light that's controled by a switch at the entryway, and then to have separate task lights at each of your work stations.

That said, I went with track lighting in my studio because it can (kind of) serve both functions. I point some of the fixtures at the wall for "wall washing" ambient lighting, and I point some fixtures down at my work stations (keyboard, mixing board, writing desk, amp, etc) for task lighting. I've got the whole thing wired to a dimmer switch at the entryway.

Like Dani said, though, you've got to be careful about EMI, which is common from certain types of fixtures and dimmers. As I recall, I had to pay nearly $200 to get a silent dimmer for my system. You'll benefit from visiting a couple of specialty electrical supply stores (instead of Home Depot or the local hardware shop). Take along a few pictures of your room, a floor plan, and a good explanation of what you're trying to achieve. Don't start wiring until you've gotten a good education.