New Studio Planning - Monitor and Size guidance/advice

[jamesbradley]

Hi there,


I am a musician planning on building a studio in my loft for producing and recording. I am wondering if someone could please tell me what sized active monitors are best suited to this area as I understand that the bigger isn't the better in this case as it matters on the size of the room and how it is treated. The type of music I make varies as I started out making R&B and now I don't really stick to one genre.

I have also been told that it is best to have the speakers facing the length of the room.


The room size is: 20' x 9' (6.24m by (2.8m)
And from floor to ceiling it is 8' (2.44m)
The triangular part of the roof extends down from the roof 3'5" (106m)



The size of the vocal booth hasnt been determined if you think you could give me any advice on what monitor size is needed or any other advice on how the studio should be set then please please please post as I need all the help I can get!





Thank you very much for your time,
James Bradley

 

[GIK Acoustics]

Monitor size is really an overstressed issue coming from mixing engineers, but not acousticians. The entire myth comes from the fact that you want "modal support" to accurately treat the room, but by no means is any room 'too small' for a set of speakers. With that said, I don't really recommend a giant set of far field monitors in a 10' x 10' bedroom for obvious reasons. In your space though, generally any standard size two way or three way monitor would be fine.

The ceiling height is incredibly low, so you'd likely need a good bit of treatment up there. Plus, you'll want to treat the angled portion around you especially so sound doesn't constantly reflecting off the wall into the mix position.

I would recommend facing the same direction you've shown in your drawings if you'll just be treating the space and getting on with it. With construction you might be able to face the window.