how important is the room

[KingstonRock]

I hope this isnt too stupid of a question, but I record in my bedroom with the computer outside, its a pretty big room, I belive 18x22 or so. From what i understand low ceilings are a problem, only about 7 ft, its in the basement. So my question is how important is the room when you're recording drums bass electric guitar and vocals? I know there is a difference, but maybe my question is more of will it make a difference in the song, my mixes are very clear and clean, but that comes from my equipment, certaintly not my room, it seems to be against all the room suggestions ive heard. Also i could use some suggestions as to what to do about both about my room, and whether or not i would be better off taking the setup to window and recording outside; weather permitting

[frederic]

Think of your recording room for a moment as a giant violin, with you standing inside with your recording gear. Seriously, play along with me on this one.

Commercial violins are usually constructed of maple, with spruce supports, sound post, and a hardwood bridge. These different materials, as well as their shape, thickness, density and arrangement is what makes one violin sound like a cheap rental violin versus a top quality 1870's handmade Stradivari. In fact, even the best of the best (Stradivari) will sound very different in a hot, humid room as compared to itself in a dry, cool room. Even the glue holding it together and its varying thickness along the joints makes an obvious difference in the tone of the instrument.

Your ears respond to this very well, and is why we are able to tell the difference between a good violin and a cheap one, with our eyes shut, meaning no additional information regarding the instrument's quality, construction, etc. You can hear the difference.

Drawing a parallel here, the room you record in colors (with tonal adjustments) the sound in many ways. Add/subtract lower frequences, add/subract higher frequencies. Some frequencies peak and others are cancelled. Harder surfaces reflect more than spongy surfaces, and materials like wood often add beautiful rich harmonics to the sound waves bouncing off them. This is due to the resonance factor of the wood and inconsistancy in the density of most woods.

While you generally don't say "thats a 13th order harmonic from the third plank on the hardwood floor thats been added to the bassline", trust me, your brain can and does interpret this information constantly. Using this same acoustical information, your brain on a constant basis determines your environment for your safety. This is how your brain, while you're lying in bed with your eyes closed, know that a fruit fly went overhead versus a mosquito or a bee or a yellow jacket. This is how without looking, if you really try, you could estimate distance of a friend talking to you in a normal voice, because you know this friend and how loud/soft that person's voice is.

Recording music is based on the same information, same interpretation, same type of tonal, spacial, etc type of information.

I would say in a technical sense, the room matters greatly, and is probably why this forum is frequented as often as it is.

Hope that helped!

[frederic]

Oh, and to quote one of my favorite cliche's...

"The only stupid question is one that goes unasked."

[knightfly]

The GOOD news here is, the dimensions of your room actually work out OK for modal response. I ran a distribution spreadsheet on a room 18 x 22 x 7, and even though low ceilings are not desirable the room resonances won't be a problem. Flutter echoes can be, however, and sections of walls and ceiling would need to be treated with absorptive material in strategic locations once you decide where everything would go in the room. For a mix area that works, generally you don't want to be centered in the room front to back, but do side to side. Speakers not within a foot or more of walls, probably a little further from corners. Speakers (if nearfields) at or near ear height if possible, tilted so they aim at the ears if they have to be at other height. Generally, any side wall or ceiling that you could see the speakers in if it were a mirror, should be absorbed. Auralex or something similar. A big couch centered behind the mix position helps absorb bass, and a couple of good-sized bookshelves (non-resonant) randomly filled with books, makes a usable diffusion setup for the wall behind the mix person. Part bare floor and part carpet usually works, if highs are missing take out some of the carpet.

These are some general guides, John's excellent SAE college site is a must read.

http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/index.html

Be sure and take a lunch... Steve