Basic studio build - No idea what I am doing !

  • Thread starter Thread starter briguy
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And here is what I am planning on doing for the studio space
 

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Another thought to consider:

Maybe not buy the acoustic drum set. If you're looking to isolate sound, a good idea would be not to create sound. You already have the edrums and there are some very good drum VSTi's on the market that can be triggered from your edrums. Look at EZDrummer, Steven Slate Drums, Addictive Drums, etc. These programs run inside your computer as part of a DAW program. If you're going analog, then you might not be able to use them, but if you're going digital, you'll most likely get a better sound than the edrum sound module can produce. And you won't make nearly as much noise to disturb the family. And you won't spend as much time, energy or money on trying to isolate the room only to find you still have noise leaks.

Again, just a thought.
 
What is the break in the exterior wall on the right in the bunker? How do the stairs land?


lou
 
Thanks for the reply. Yes, the electronic drums are much better for noise which is why we have them now, but my son is a drummer and I would really like to get the drums for him.I do record digitally, and I will probably continue to use the electronic drums for simplicity, but want the acoustic drums for him. The "studio" will be as much or maybe more of a "practice room" than a studio.
 
The break is an exterior door. The house is built on a slope, so the front side of the room (top of page) is under ground, but the outside slopes down to where that door is.

The section of stairs at the bottom of the page is where they land.
 
I can't picture the stairs at all. So access to the bunker is from outdoors and/or under/in front of the stairs and through the gym/utility area? Will both bedrooms on that level be utilized? What time of night will someone be in them?


lou
 
Sorry, my sketching abilities are not great. But yes, you have the idea. Access is from the stairs, through the gym/utility area, or from outside.

The bedoroms are in dad's suite. The one on the lower part of the page is the one he will use. He probably goes to bed around 9 or 10.
 
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The stairs are split - I get it. Do you need the outside door? Hallways are space eaters. Having said that the placement you have for the music room does give you maximum buffer to the Dad space. Both your new walls and the existing walls will need to be treated for isolation as well as the ceiling.

The real experts will need to take it from here.


lou
 
Chili said:
Another thought to consider:

Maybe not buy the acoustic drum set. If you're looking to isolate sound, a good idea would be not to create sound. You already have the edrums and there are some very good drum VSTi's on the market that can be triggered from your edrums. Look at EZDrummer, Steven Slate Drums, Addictive Drums, etc. These programs run inside your computer as part of a DAW program. If you're going analog, then you might not be able to use them, but if you're going digital, you'll most likely get a better sound than the edrum sound module can produce. And you won't make nearly as much noise to disturb the family. And you won't spend as much time, energy or money on trying to isolate the room only to find you still have noise leaks.

Again, just a thought.
Click to expand...

I agree
I use an electronic kit to trigger ez drummer. In the program you have a lot of options as far as micing the kit ect. Why deal with the hassle of a real kit when you really dont have the proper acoustical enviroment. When im jamming I run it thru the P.A. and have more control over eq and reverb ect thru the
DAW and EZ drummers mixer to fix it in the room.
 
Yes, the stairs are split (sorry, not sure how to draw that). unfortunately, I do need that exterior door. I wish i didn't because it would be nice to have space that the new hallway will take.
 
I also agree about the electronic drums for recording, and I will continue to use them, but we want acoustic drums for my son to practice on. He has been playing the electronic ones for the last few years, but has now gotten to a skill level where he needs the real thing. They won't be so much for recording, but for practicing and jamming.
 
briguy said:
Yes, the stairs are split (sorry, not sure how to draw that). unfortunately, I do need that exterior door. I wish i didn't because it would be nice to have space that the new hallway will take.
Click to expand...

Does the outside door have to provide access to kid space and studio both? If only kid space you could split the bunker equally horizontally and access the studio through a new door near the laundry. Or split it vertically and cut a new door in the gym for interior access to whichever needs the outside door. Just trying to maximize studio space. Either of these options may make isolation from Dad more difficult. I think you're gonna have a tough row regardless with acoustic drums and your original idea will be the easiest to isolate somewhat.


lou
 
Thanks for the suggestions Lou. I was also trying to figure out ways to maximize the space, but I do need the door for the studio space. I teach guitar lessons, so that door will be used for students to come and go. It will also be easier for taking gear out for gigs.
 
The sketch is better now. You are gonna have to get some input from people with isolation engineering skills involved. Have you gone to John Sayer's site yet? John Brandt is a member here, with any luck he'll pop in.

My last gasp to get more room - Can the second bedroom be used for the kids playroom? It's not that much smaller than what you drew up and doesn't a 20X20 studio sound nice? ;)

Good luck, Bri. We're way past the point where I can be useful.


lou
 
Thanks for all the suggestions Lou. I would LOVE to have a 20x20 studio! But that second bedroom is in the father in law's suite, so it is not in my part of the house. We just have access to the gym and bunker areas.
 
Bri,

Yes, you will need to build at least 2 decoupled walls and ceiling. The concrete walls may only need resilient clips & this would help utilize the most space. Do you plan to do the building yourself or hire it done?
The sound pressure level of drums can reach to around 105 decibels so you may need at least STC67 partitions if you plan to play when someone is sleeping or 'annoyable'. o_O

Cheers,
John
 
Hello John,
Thank you so much for the reply. I am definitely needing to have someone do the work for me. But I want to learn as much about it as I can to ensure that it is done properly. I don't want to have it done and then have a list of things I wish I had done.
Unfortunately, I am a real newbie at this, and you are already talking over my head. Can you explain "decoupled walls" and "resilient clips" a little further for me ? I have been reading a bit and I think I have an idea of what you mean, but with so much info, I am a bit overwhelmed.
Thanks again for the reply. I really appreciate it !
 
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Ok, so I have been doing a lot of reading today about this. I now understand what you are talking about with decoupling and resilient clips.

Perhaps you can point me in the right direction from here.

I was looking at the following diragrams and it is starting to makes sense, but which one would be best ?

Soundproofing Walls Solutions | Soundproofing Company

Particularily for isolating the acoustic drums ? Is it as simple as "more is better", and just go with as much as I
can afford ?
 
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