Please help me treat my room...

[LCD]

Here's the dilemma... I'm recording out of my bedroom and my main concerns are:

1. Shielding from ambient noise (humming, HVAC unit, pipes, etc.)
2. General acoustics to attain proper mix

I guess what I need is a crash course in acoustics so I can make the proper decisions as to what I need for my room to get the best POSSIBLE acoustic environment for vocal recording. I know it won't be perfect, but I would love to optimize my workspace.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[bpape]

Reducing outside noise takes some combination of the following:

Mass
Physical mechanical isolation

Build an insert to put in any windows you have made from a frame with plywood or MDF on the back and filled with insulation.

If you can, consider doubling the drywall on the outside wall.

Inside the room, deal with broadband bass absorbtion in the corners of the room and hit the reflection points on the side wall, rear wall, ceiling. Depending on the size of the room, these might also need to be 4" thick or so to get some extra bass control.

For vocal recording, you might want to consider deadening the closet and using that to provide some more isolation.

 

[LCD]

wish i had a closet down here to use....

 

[bpape]

Sry. Assumed when you said bedroom that there was a closet.

Well then, isolation must be provided to the whole room then. OR, you could build some movable panels that are hard on one side and soft on the other for a temp 'booth'. Only problem is that with the back on them , you'll not be able to use them to double up as bass absorbers since you'll not have the air space.

 

[LCD]

OR, you could build some movable panels that are hard on one side and soft on the other for a temp 'booth'. Only problem is that with the back on them , you'll not be able to use them to double up as bass absorbers since you'll not have the air space.

That's EXACTLY what I wanted to do... but apparently not.

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

I guess what I need is a crash course in acoustics

There is no such thing. Once you enter the rabbit hole your stuck in Wonderland.
On the other hand, here is a good place to get an overview. Go to the FAQ section. This will give you some idea of the relevant stuff.
http://forum.studiotips.com/index.php
fitZ

 

[LemonTree]

There is no such thing. Once you enter the rabbit hole your stuck in Wonderland.
fitZ

I spent over a year in wonderland reading about acoustics and the past three months applying what I'd learned to my room. I'm looking forward to a return to recording, hopefuly before christmas

Alec