How to position/treat this awkward space

[ppadru1]

I have a two-story place, accessible by spiral staircase that leaves a giant gaping hole in the second story. Apart from the small amount of reverb I can hear out of my right ear due to the stairs opening (which I've gotten used to), I dont know how else to better treat this space and maximize the efficiency of my mixing. I was also considering buying some new monitors (I have krk rp5's), but perhaps I should sort out my placement/treatment first?

Would it make sense to move my computer where the keyboard is now?

I've uploaded room pictures and a drawing of the layout.

 

[witzendoz]

Does having the dirty clothes and towels scattered around the room help with the acoustic treatment of the room?

Is it possible to swap the bed and the mixing position around? Nothing is ideal here but that may work better.

Alan.

 

[ppadru1]

Funny uou should mention that, that is exactly what I did. It definitely sounds better, clearer, more low end, etc. Now, what shall I do about treatment such as bass traps and panels, etc?

 

[witzendoz]

You have a good bass trap it is the hole in the floor where the stairs go, funny I always say the best bass trap is an open door LOL.

If you can you want some panels above on the sloping ceiling. I think the side walls are far enough away not to cause too many problems but they may need some treatment, and you are firing the sound down the long length of the room which is good, maybe its time for Ethan to join in here.

Alan.

 

[Ethan Winer]

you are firing the sound down the long length of the room which is good

Did I miss something? The drawing shows the opposite. I'd move the bed to the opposite end, then put the speakers in front of the wall at the bottom pointing up toward that long narrow hallway.

--Ethan

 

[ppadru1]

Ethan, that is what I did in the second set of pictures, since the original post. It sounds MUCH better than originally. Is it worth it to put some treatment on the slanted ceilings behind the desk/monitors? Additionally, should I back the desk away a bit from the slanted wall?

 

[GIK Acoustics]

Yes, the position you're at now is much better.
I would look at treating a couple areas right off the bat - first reflection points. You might have two first reflection points per side wall because of the angle. Don't forget about first reflection points on the ceiling as well - depending on how far that angle goes, it may or may not be on the angled wall in front of you.
You can find your first reflection points easily using this method: Video Early or First Reflection Points - GIK Acoustics

 

[Ethan Winer]

Ethan, that is what I did in the second set of pictures, since the original post.

Ah, got it.

Is it worth it to put some treatment on the slanted ceilings behind the desk/monitors?

The front wall does not usually benefit from treatment because your speakers face the other way:

Front Wall Absorption

should I back the desk away a bit from the slanted wall?

The only way to know for sure where your speakers are most accurate is to measure the LF response at high resolution as you experiment:

Room Measuring Primer

--Ethan