Pros and Cons of garage studio

[harbingertx]

We have an empty 2 car garage that we don't use cause we have an external building to put all of our junk in. I'm sick of recording out of my bedroom and since I'm 17 and live at home with the parents I'm pretty limited. I couldn't do much renovation to the garage, but it's a lot of space.
Any ideas? pros, cons? Yes no's?

 

[miroslav]

Go for it....what's a garage for if not to either fill up with junk or make music in. (No one parks cars in their garages anymore).

You'll need at least some basic acoustic treatment...and some soundproofing (if noise going in/out is an issue)...after that it's all about how much $$$ you can throw at it, but it can certainly be a better space than your bedroom.

 

[samth3mancgp]

Do it!

I moved to my basement where there was way more space to record larger instruments like a drumset. There is also a large back closet that I split in half to either have 2 iso rooms/vocal booths.

The more space you have to work with the better man. Use anything you can for acoustic treatment like carpet, rugs, blankets, foam etc. I've even en-cased a drumset with mattresses before to get a real "dry" sound. (Didn't quite turn out as well as I had hoped haha)

Get in the garage and experiment!

 

[clong89]

The biggest problem we have when recording in our garage is the temperature change. Our recordings sounds different every time. It also makes it hard to play when it's cold and unbearable when it's hot. I can't complain though. A place to play is extremely valuable. Just think about that as well as acoustic treatment and stuff.

Clong

 

[Dogbreath]

Yeah...if you live in a climate that the weather changes dramatically (like high plains desert ) the temp and humidity changes are gonna mess with your instruments. Not to mention cold fingered guitar players.

Other than that (and if your neighbors can deal with the thumpin) I say go for it. More room is always good.

 

[harbingertx]

Ha well I live in Texas so there is a lot of temp. changes. 100+ in the summers and down in the 10's and 20's in the winter. But I was thinking, we have a lot of space heaters, I could run those, and I could always buy an external AC unit, they're not that much. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Geebop]

Nothing wrong with using a garage, after all it's free space. Just make sure it's cosy for the winter

 

[RAMI]

Use anything you can for acoustic treatment like carpet, rugs, blankets, foam etc.

No, no and no. Don't use any of those for treatment.

I've even en-cased a drumset with mattresses before to get a real "dry" sound. (Didn't quite turn out as well as I had hoped haha)

There's a reason it didn't turn out well. Mattresses, rugs, blankets, etc....are useless for sound treatment.

 

[Dogbreath]

yeah...the blankets, foam etc won't help much but .......being 17 and probably broke you could put a couch or two in there to help "trap" some of the bouncing bass waves. Maybe a book shelf (with books in it )
It's not gonna be ideal and you'll still end up with standing waves and won't be as easy to mix in but it'll work fairly well and be a place to jam.

 

[ncmail]

yeah...the blankets, foam etc won't help much but .......being 17 and probably broke you could put a couch or two in there to help "trap" some of the bouncing bass waves. Maybe a book shelf (with books in it )
It's not gonna be ideal and you'll still end up with standing waves and won't be as easy to mix in but it'll work fairly well and be a place to jam.

thats exactly what I did, being on a limited budget and all I picked up a love seat in the classifieds for $20 and it did make a noticeable difference. Of course, when I get the money I am gonna spring for alot better treatment, but for now its better then nothing

 

[Kingofpain678]

Pros - its a studio

Cons - its in a garage









Thank me later.

 

[dreib]

You dont need to worry that much about overall room treatments. Spot treatments will suffice. Spend your money on gear.

 

[Dogbreath]

You dont need to worry that much about overall room treatments. Spot treatments will suffice. Spend your money on gear.

Maybe if the "spot treatments" were broadband or bass trap type stuff, sure.