My lease is up in July...

[Dolemite]

Hey guys,

My current lease on my apartment is up July 31st, and I'm thinking about moving. Unfortunately, I doubt that I'll find a place as good for recording as this place has been. My apartment is a pretty basic one-bedroom deal (I'm a college student, FYI) but its in a very quiet neighborhood and it has very thick walls that consist completely of very solid wood paneling. For what little recording I've done here, I haven't really had much to complain about for acoustics despite my weak recording skills.

So, my question is, if I move to another apartment that will almost definitely be in a louder area and have thin drywall or plaster walls, how much will I be losing as far as acoustics? I know its hard to answer without firsthand knowledge, but I'd appreciate any thoughts on my situation. If moving is going to screw my recordings I'd consider staying here, even putting up with my bitch landlady for another year and the hassle of living pretty far from campus.

Thanks!

 

[Dolemite]

anybody?

 

[mixmkr]

I'd finish school...put your efforts there...get a shitty real-ass job, then you can afford your killer/dream studio, wherever you want. Pump gas for a living, you'll rent forever and have a Tascam portastudio, and bitch about acoustics being the culprit for your lame ass sounding recordings. Seriously...(unless you're the next E Vhalen or __?__)

 

[Dom Franco]

A Walkin closet!

Find an appartment with a fair sized walk-in closet. The clothes hanging make good sound proofing, and reduce wall reflections.

I recorded for a few years this way, and even made an album project without bothering the neighbors.

Dom Franco

 

[Dolemite]

mixmkr,

My efforts are definitely focused on finishing school. I graduate about this time next year so the end is reasonably near. I still feel justified in taking time to work on music, though. I feel like I should take every opportunity to put time/effort into something that I'm passionate about. It seems like life gets more complicated as you go and I don't want to leave behind one more thing that I feel is important to me just because I lost the time for it. I can see myself getting a job, getting married, having kids, etc. (I hope I can hold of on that stuff for as long as possible, though) and then there's just no time for other stuff. I know how it goes...my strategy is to make it a priority now (second to my classes, of course) so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle like so many other things....

Find an appartment with a fair sized walk-in closet. The clothes hanging make good sound proofing, and reduce wall reflections.

Interesting idea there, Dom. I am looking at apartments now but I think its unlikely that I'll be lucky enough to find one with a real walk-in closet, given my finances. I'll look, though, you never know...

 

[mixmkr]

Dolomite....sounds like you have your head on your shoulders, and good luck finishing up, btw. Getting back to your original question, however, I don't think another "studio space" is really gonna adversely affect your stuff, unless you go for that "room sound" like John Bonham drums, and the like....but I doubt you do. I went to a place in Mass. a long time ago...Long View Farms..and at the time, they where a big boy studio in a big way. Shoot, we just recorded guitars, drums, etc in "the barn" with the sliding glass doors to the outside open all the way for fresh air. You could hear the birds chirping, and all that stuff.....Never heard it on the final recordings... either we where too loud, or deaf for the playbacks!! I think room acoustics are important for *certain* situations (ask John S...he knows!), but for DI bass guitars, close mic amps.....see what I mean?? It doesn't matter. Now....that 9' Bosendorfer in the studio...ahem...'nother matter.