Humidity?

[wes480]

I have my stuff set up in the basement...now, it is nothing special...but, what I basically have down there:

Yamaha Drumset
Aardvark soundcard/computer/monitor
Mackie Hr824s
Yamaha S80 Synthesizer
couple guitar/bass amps...

I live in Atlanta, noticed the other day that the towel I keep over the Yamaha keyboard seemed possibly damp...

So, I got a humidity thermometer...

the room is about 50-55% during the day, when no one is down there (so far as I can tell..will check more tomorrow)

But, we've been working down there tonight and it's been like 57-61%..

My question is, are these levels going to be really bad for any of the equipment? I am particularly worried about the Mackies? Or the keyboard....

I know one guy who runs a guitar shop kept his shop at 48%...so, i am not so much worried about the instruments down there...though, I won't be keeping my guitars down there anymore...my strat is going to need to be resetup after staying down there the past couple weeks...

Is the 60% area something I should really be concerned about? Of course during the winter/spring things will be better...but, summer in Hotlanta gets pretty muggy. There is one dehumidifier down there, but not in that room. I guess I could get another...and let it run while no one is using the place...

Input?

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Soundproof/air proof?

Hi, just a little input. Is your studio sound proof(reasonably)? What and how do you ventilate it when your recording? If its totaly soundproof with no ventilation, the room will suck your sweat out of you on a hot day. That moisture collects into anything that will absorb it to its maximum absorbtion point. But will also dry out if the air again becomes dryer than its surroundings. Metal will not absorb, but may collect moisture on the surface, if the interior is warmer than the exterior(electronics). but I'm no expert. But think of it like cheap windows on a rainy day, and boiling water on the stove. It will condense and collect on the window. I know your not boiling water, but put 3 musicians
into a small basement with no air ventilation, and voila! Sweat. Lots of it. It has to go some where. Painted walls will collect it, just as a bathroom wall gets damp when you take a shower-that is if you don't have ventilation. Thats one of the dichotomys of studios. Vent it, and you comprimise your sound proofing. Sound proof with no ventilation, and you comprimise your equipment, comfort, and put humans(at least most) in a unhealthy environment. But then again, maybe I'm speaking before you tell us what you have existing. Hope this helps some. Overall though, if you use a humidifyer, you still need ventilation into the room. At least I would!
fitz

 

[c9-2001]

o yea it gets muggy... when i tern my ac on the humidity isn't a thing at all.. i try to keep it cool down here.. aroud 70 all day and 65 late night...

i'm not sure if the humidity is gonna mess your stuff up, but i wouldn't test it, i'd try to get as much humidity out of the air as possible