Total darkness in the new "Studio"

[Seeker of Rock]

I still put quotes around the term studio, because it is a combination tracking/mixing room and probably not a true multi-room professional studio that one's thoughts may conjure.

Anyway, I experienced something really inspiring to me last Thursday night...I have worked on everything from the ground up, started to move equipment from my house (50' or so away) to the room, rejoicing in the reality that everything is basically completed, and detected a noticeable silence when walking into the room (while moving equipment). So I thought to myself, that of all the attention to decoupling and finishing I've done, I still haven't stepped back to listen to the room. So I closed the door and turned off the lights, layed down on my back to listen to what I could hear and see what I couldn't.

Now I live in a very urbanized South Florida where it is hard to get complete darkness. The first time since I can't even remember, complete darkness. Looked to the joints, under the door, etc.

Well, that's the vision thing, but more importantly is isolation and interior acoustics (e.g.- what is getting in and what does what is inside sound like?)

I live on a busy street, but the studio is about 150' from the street...residential street, but still a thoroughfare to downtown Hollywood. I heard a very muffled roar of the 'Fast and the Furious' style of Honda Civics 'getting on it' on two occasions, but that was it. And that was more like a faint low-end version. I saw nothing...both neighbors had their backyard lights on but nothing.

Sorry for the book, but it was very cool to kind of 'test' this room for construction. Just have to treat it now, although it does have a nice, natural reverb for tracking...unfortunately, I'm going to have to do that with effects (Lexicon is my taste) because I'm going to mix in there too.

[tmix]

That is cool.
I am kinda at the point you are.
I have just finished the building aspect of the studio and just got through with sealing off the doors and such. Sometimes I just go in and listen.
Man is it ever dark! your eyes never adapt. I am glad I put the lights on one circuit and the wall outlets on another, otherwise If you ever blew a breaker you would be lost.

I wish I could say it was totally quiet, but I can hear the train rumble when it goes by (about a mile away) but only if no one is breathing or moving. In the vocal booth it is non existant. I can hear the low frequecies of my son's kick drum playing 15 feet away, but again only when it is totally quiet inside.

Right now I dont have a stitch of acoustic treatment, so the big room has like a 3 second decay time. Conversations are nearly unintelligable if you talk fast.


Enjoy your place! I intend to do the same.

Tom

[apl]

Do consider adding one of these.

I'd to hate to hear that you tripped and fell and broke your neck, or worse yet, the neck of your fave axe.

[tmix]

That is a great idea actually!
Cheap insurance for not getting hurt.

That would help even when you have a total power outage.

[apl]

Originally Posted by tmix

That is a great idea actually!
Cheap insurance for not getting hurt.

That would help even when you have a total power outage.

You could probably manage OK because you'd be somewhat familiar with your surroundings, but a guest would be in trouble.

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Congrats on the "almost soundproof" room Seeker. That is really an accomplishment for a HR enthusiest. Most people have to settle on a room "as is" and treat it only. I am one of those. Although my studio is as quiet as yours with NO soundproofing whatsoever. Thats because my house is so isolated.