Advice for Setup/Treatment?

[*Nybbas]

Hello all,
I am in the process of turning an empty room in my basement into a small home recording studio. I will admit I am very new to most of this, so I wanted advice on a few things before I treat the room as best I can, position the mic, and start recording.

The main purpose of this will be to record and edit acoustic guitar, vocals, and some light percussion (no full blown drum sets )

I have attached a roughly scaled blueprint of the room, and photos of it bare. Here are my concerns as of now:

1. Where in the room will the microphone be optimal for recording? My first guess (#1 on the blueprint) was solely due to the small indent in the wall. How does this change for different instruments/vocals/different styles?
2. After the microphone is set up, where are the best areas to set up acoustic treatment? I have a fair amount of foam and am more than willing to buy some more if need be.
3. Are bass traps a good investment due to the low frequencies strumming chords on an acoustic can create?
4. Will the different ceiling heights as shown in the third image affect the sound in an adverse way? Is there a way I could limit this with tiles/treatment?

And, I guess, any other blaring mistakes / things I should avoid that you see. I know this is a lot, and I thank you for your time / advice.
Cheers!

 

[Todzilla]

Those ceilings look kind of un-tall. That and the overall modest size may be compromising factors. You may need oodles of treatment to get it to sound okay.

 

[Bop Stop Studio]

Looks like a nice raw space. You didn't however give the actual dimensions. This will help others.

I would start as most will recommend, getting rid of the foam and going broadband bass traps, super chunks in each of the room corners, standing almost up to the ceiling, stacked or corners stacked. Thick as possible and make your own from ROxul or buy there are many offerings out there. Then start dealing with first reflection points and ceiling clouds for above.

Looks like the ceiling is a little low and the width a bit narrow, but give us the dimensions.

Vocal area would work, but again treating those reflection points will be important and perhaps some Gobos for some isolation.

I would start with the bass traps/broadband absorption first tho and forget spending any more money on any foam!!!

 

[Bop Stop Studio]

Is that a skylight in the ceiling?

Just asking, wasn't sure about what that was...... can u give pics of the ceiling as it looks like an interesting design to work with.

I said the vocal area looks fine, but I would care more about positioning my mx desk for monitoring and place the vocal second.

Dimensions would dictate potentially where to put your mix area.

 

[Todzilla]

Bus Stop is right about real acoustic treatment over foam.

The good news is you can DIY acoustic treatment and save oodles. Start researching sources of Owens Corning 703 insulation near you, or the Johns Mansville equivalent. It's used to insulate huge warehouse type buildings, so it'll be a wee bit tricky finding a local source.

 

[*Nybbas]

Looks like a nice raw space. You didn't however give the actual dimensions. This will help others.

The room is 10' wide, 23' long (20' long in the smaller section), and 6.6' tall (7.5' tall in the larger bit). Hopefully this angle clears up any confusion with the ceiling, the light is removable if it is going to be a problem.

So foam is pretty much then?

 

[Bop Stop Studio]

ROxul SafenSound is available at Home Depot.

I got Owen Corning and Roxul Rockboard from a local distributor. I am sure there is one in your area, commercial suppliers. By me it is a co named CAMCO, everything from mass loaded vinyl to Sonex and brand stuff. Go 6 inches depth or more almost up to ceiling in each corner. This alone will make an significant audible difference. But there are next steps.

But SafeNsound fits as wel, bit softer tho so needs typical frame, not standing on their own at all.

Buy covering at fabric shop and once on sale at Target.

Build or buy!! It is the same materials, but depending on your skill, fit and finish work better from some companies, but actually not all. Some commercial stuff I have bought, is subpar on the fit and finish. Custom can be better, u control that.

 

[mjbphotos]

Set up you rmix desk on wall #2, in the center. Throw out the foam, or use it to make comfie seating. Build bass traps, as already mentioned for all the corners, and you'll need a ceiling cloud, too. Those corners where the ceiling changes are probematic too, more cloud/traps needed. Facing into a well-trapped corner when using a mic works because any direct reflections from the voice/instrument are absorbed, you could use the same principle in that alcove.