New House

[NYMorningstar]

I'm building a new house and could put a studio in either the basement, the garage or in the living area where there is a cathedral ceiling. Which is the better choice? Also, while it's being built is there any feature I should have the builders put in while it's going up like extra wiring or an isolation booth or can I pretty much do that myself?

 

[Sen]

cathedral ceiling area

 

[TexRoadkill]

I would use the cathredal ceiling also. If you need any isolation from neighbors now is the time to figure all that out.

 

[knightfly]

"If you need any isolation from neighbors now is the time to figure all that out." -

AMEN to that - AFTER everything is built is NOT when to decide how much sound proofing you need - it isn't just the AMOUNT of mass you use in a wall, but more the DESIGN of the wall that makes huge differences. Case in point - check out this thread, specifically John's posts on Mar 01 and mine of Mar 17, for a good example -

http://www.homer.com.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86

Also, here are some varied wall constructions and their STC ratings (if you're just getting started in acoustics, a bigger number is better - if you already know this, no offense intended)

http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/pages/STC Chart.htm

Some of the info in the first link (specifically John's wall comparison chart) points out the need to plan ahead - that's what I was referring to in my Mar 17 posts about the same exact amount of materials ranging in effectiveness by 23 dB, just from WHERE they go... Steve

 

[NYMorningstar]

Thank you all for the responses.

I'm leaning towards having a rehearsal room and a control room built in the garage area. It's large, two car and also has a cathedral ceiling if I don't lay a flat ceiling in it.
I don't need the isolation from neighbors too much but I did read your links knightfly and will use your ideas on materials and design.

c7sus, I'm going to build a small isolated control room with the dedicated circuit. Should I also have a dedicated circuit for instrument amplifiers and would 20 amps be good for that? Probably will never have more than 4 amps going at one time.

I decided to keep the living area with the cathedral ceilings a living area and just sneak in a baby grand and have the electrician run in a couple of mic lines through the walls to the control room, just in case Thanx Tex and Sen for the input.