Questions about small home recording studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdchess
  • Start date Start date
J

jdchess

New member
I'm currently putting together a small home recording studio, and I have a few questions. It's primarily for myself (piano/guitar/vocals). The room that I have to work with is rectangular. Dimensions are 11' 10.5" x 15' 11" with a 7' 8.5" ceiling. It's a bonus room above a garage, and it's the only room on the second floor. It's NOT a typical bonus room with 5 foot "knee walls." There's only a small diagonal (~6 inches) at the top corner of each side of the room. You can see it in the pics. I assume this will not hinder anything at all acoustically, but I may be wrong. The window on the far wall is 5' 7" wide. There are two closets, one to each side of the entry door that leads to the staircase. You can see all of this in the pics as well. The room is carpeted with standard residential low pile carpet. I know this probably isn't ideal, but I don't have the ability to lay hardwood or snap laminate at the moment. My questions are aimed at getting the best results I can with what I have to work with.

I currently have an M-Audio Mobile Pre interface that I plan to use. I also have a Yamaha Clavinova CLP120 that I will use for piano and as a MIDI controller.

1. Is a decent studio even a possibility in the given space considering dimensions, carpet, etc?

2. What type of monitors do I need considering the space I have to work with? Do I need to use a monitor/sub combo?

3. What treatments do I need for the walls or ceiling?

4. Where do I need bass traps? What type do I need?

Please feel free to give any other suggestions or recommendations. I'm new at this and here to learn. Thanks in advance for the help!

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg

SoundRoom2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hey dude :drunk:

Possible to get good results?
Yup. :)

rectangle is good so no worries there.

That small diagonal is fine. Might even help (?) a skosh. Probably not enough to matter but...

As to the monitors? The best you can afford. :D But in a room this size, I don't think I'd do a sub. Probably cause you more problems than it's worth.
Bass freqs are strong as hell and will stomp your mids and highs unless you get your room well treated.

Which brings us to......
Bass traps baby! At least 4" thick.
As many as ya can basically. Either straddling the corners at a 45 degree or maybe some superchunks to the left and right of your mixing station. Which. btw, I would put facing the window, a couple of feet back from it.
Can you make some gobos to cover that window that you can take down when ya want?
??
The back wall corners? Not too sure. I trapped all my wall corners and it helped alot with the tracking and the mixing.
Maybe build some stand-alone traps that you could move into position when needed.
?

cheers dude. :drunk:
 
Dogbreath,

I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions. You mentioned that you would put the mixing table facing the window about 2 feet from it. This actually ties into another question I had regarding placement of the mixing desk and the mics or recording area. Just curious as to your thoughts on the best layout. I assume a lot of that will be trial and error to find the best placement though.

Anything in particular I need to do because of the room being fully carpeted? Anything other than bass traps? Thanks again man!



Also, does anyone have a suggestion for a good set of monitors to start with assuming a very tight budget?
 
I will have to give a large +1 to Dogbreath's post.

I would definitely suggest everything mentioned. Treatment and monitors are a big step cost wise, but you will be slapping yourself wondering why you never did it sooner afterwards.

Yes - the desk should be facing the window. How close it is to the front wall would be as you expected, best found out through trial and error. Your room is a little small, but bass traps will definitely help a lot. I would set up as similar to this as possible: Acoustical Room Advice - GIK Acoustics (You can fill that out that form if you'd like personalized GIK treatment recommendations as well)

Since the room is carpeted, you will want to try to not over deaden the high frequencies, so I wouldn't go for any foam treatments, nor would I go with any panels thinner than at LEAST 5" (our thinnest bass trap is 5.5"). You could even do slats in front of panels to balance out the absorption and give scattering and diffusion along with absorption, but that could be out of your budget.

As for the suggestion of monitors, a "tight" budget doesn't define much. We all have tight budgets now-a-days! I would suggest starting off with what you're able to afford until you learn the monitors and know their shortcomings. When I had finally upgraded to monitors over the $1,000 mark (only a few months ago) I had known it was a long time coming. I could finally tell why my Rokits were only $300 a pair while other speakers are $3000 a pair. You really only need the next step up if you learn and know the shortcomings of what you have and it starts to effect your output, IMO.

HS80Ms are well touted for the price. They work well, but they're not insanely pleasant to work on all day. Most of the big names in the ~$1,200/pair mark all sound wildly different but have great reviews across the board - KRK VXTs, Adam A7X, Event 2030s. IMO, most of the ~$300-500 / pair monitors are all quite similar. The high end is typically quite whispery and thin with moderately round bass with no mid clarity. This isn't to say they aren't a MASSIVE step up from cheaper speakers / computer speakers, though. Rokits did me well for a few years, and for $300, that's a great investment. The HS80Ms are a fair price for their rave reviews, but again, IMO are a bit harsh to work on all day. I would not recommend the HS50Ms while we're on the subject. They sound quite incredibly different, the 80s are much worth the price difference.
 
I was looking at picking up a pair of KRK 5G2's. Do you think these 5" models would yield decent bass for what I need? I'm not planning anything majorly bass heavy like dance music, but mostly guitar, piano, and vocals.


Thanks so much for the help so far guys. I really do appreciate it.
 
jdchess said:
I was looking at picking up a pair of KRK 5G2's. Do you think these 5" models would yield decent bass for what I need? I'm not planning anything majorly bass heavy like dance music, but mostly guitar, piano, and vocals.


Thanks so much for the help so far guys. I really do appreciate it.
Click to expand...

In my experience the KRKs seem to boost the low end a bit... I am very partial to JBLs. The LSR2300 series are amazing monitors and very affordable. They are very flat and powerful. Honestly the best thing to do is go to a store with a cd you are very familiar with and listen to it on every monitor you can and choose your favorite within your budget... I was lucky enough to work in several studios each with different brands of monitors, that is how I ended up deciding on the JBLs.
 
fetuslasvegas said:
In my experience the KRKs seem to boost the low end a bit... I am very partial to JBLs. The LSR2300 series are amazing monitors and very affordable. They are very flat and powerful. Honestly the best thing to do is go to a store with a cd you are very familiar with and listen to it on every monitor you can and choose your favorite within your budget... I was lucky enough to work in several studios each with different brands of monitors, that is how I ended up deciding on the JBLs.
Click to expand...

I've owned the Rokit RP5G2s and agree the low end on the KRKs is a little 'pregnant' if the term makes sense. I've found similar bass roundness comparing Mackies. The Yamahas dont have such a response. I don't have experience with the JBLs, but have also heard good things of the LSR2300 series.
 
You should avoid 5" drivers. I have a small cube shaped studio with tons of bass traps and my 5" near fields just don't have any low end. I have to use a hybrid approach that includes bookshelf speakers and a sub. That works prettty good. So I use the near fields for critical listening and the bookshelfs for overall mixing and enjoyment.
 
jdchess said:
The JBL's are slightly out of my price range. I need to stay in the $300 range for a pair.

What about M-Audio BX5 D2? 5" Kevlar woofer. -- M-Audio BX5 D2 Active 70W 5" 2-Way Studio 9900-65174-00 B&H

or the Alesis M1Active MKII -- Alesis M1Active MKII 6.5" 2-Way Studio M1ACTIVE MKII (PAIR)


Are either one of these a good option?
Click to expand...


Honestly, I'd wait a little longer and save up the money for the JBLs. If you are hell bent on getting monitors RIGHT NOW (which usually leaves you with buyers remorse later) and you decide to go with one of these cheaper options LISTEN TO THEM PERSONALLY FIRST!!!! Go somewhere and check them out then buy them online. bhphotovideo is a great site, I've dealt with them a lot... zzounds does price matching and has great financing options... <-- hint hint really helps if your budget doesn't cut it and you need them now...

The old adage is always true, you get what you pay for. Why spend $300 now when in a year you are going to get sick of them and want the more expensive pair...

And as for Chili's comment about 5'' drivers not putting out and low end, my JBLs SLAM!!! (appropriately, not colored) The only reason I'm getting the matching sub is I predominantly produce hip hop and would like added low end...
 
Here is another link to a thread on this topic.

In post #6, I talk about my opinion of the KRK 5's.

My purchase prices for my speakers used.

KRK G2-5's $175 pair.
Event TR8's $300 pair.
KRK G2-8's $300 pair.

I would look for used in your price range. Just make sure you can listen to them at various volumes before you buy. Listen for any strange rattles or buzzing, and make sure the tweeters and volume attenuators are working.

:)
 
fetuslasvegas said:
And as for Chili's comment about 5'' drivers not putting out and low end, my JBLs SLAM!!!
Click to expand...

Curses!!! :mad:

I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.

:cursing:
 
Chili said:
Curses!!! :mad:

I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.
I don't want to buy new monitors.

:cursing:
Click to expand...

What monitors do you have currently? I originally bought these because I couldn't afford their 8'' bigger brother. I was originally worried about the low end response and planned to save up and get the LSR2338Ps, but I have been very impressed with the low end. So impressed that instead of upgrading to the 8s now that I can afford them, I am going to instead get the matching sub... When and if these ever kick it I will be upgrading to the LSR4328Ps and their matching sub.

But anyway, if you are unhappy with the low end of your current monitors, why don't you throw a sub in the mix? It'll hit lows no monitors ever will anyway and take stress of off your current nearfields... That way you wont have to buy a whole new setup...
 
I have Event ALP5's for near fields and as mentioned in a previous post, some bookshelf speakers with a sub.

The ALP5s are very detailed. I can hear spittle on the lips of a singer. :eek: But just no low end. Unless my room is not treated good enough. I've read reviews on the ALP5s and they have been compared to teh NS10's. Is that a good thing?? I'm not so sure.
 
Anyone else have any layout or treatment advice based on the pics in the original post?

If you look at the back wall where the three doors are located, you'll notice that vertical traps in the corners next to the closet doors aren't really an option. How big of an issue is this? How should this area be treated so that the closet doors remain accessible?
 
jdchess said:
Anyone else have any layout or treatment advice based on the pics in the original post?

If you look at the back wall where the three doors are located, you'll notice that vertical traps in the corners next to the closet doors aren't really an option. How big of an issue is this? How should this area be treated so that the closet doors remain accessible?
Click to expand...

How about the stand alone traps I mentioned?
Basically some bass traps that you can just move into place when needed.
?
 
Plus you have a thermostat in the corner.

I have a novel approach which I don't know will work or not. Maybe GIK can confirm.

4" thick OC703 on all three doors. Then two gobos, floor to ceiling a few feet in front of each corner. Make them portable to move out of the way when not needed.

Then typical mirror spots, cloud, behind monitors, etc.

My drawing isn't great, hope it shows what I mean.

SoundRoom2.webp
 
Chili said:
Plus you have a thermostat in the corner.

I have a novel approach which I don't know will work or not. Maybe GIK can confirm.

4" thick OC703 on all three doors. Then two gobos, floor to ceiling a few feet in front of each corner. Make them portable to move out of the way when not needed.

Then typical mirror spots, cloud, behind monitors, etc.

My drawing isn't great, hope it shows what I mean.

View attachment 77040
Click to expand...


The drawing looks fine to me. :) That idea definitely makes sense. I had already thought about the possibility of panels / traps on the doors since I couldn't place them in the corners. Maybe GIK will weigh in on it as well.

Quick question...Is it better to place the monitors on separate stands or on the mixing desk (assuming there's room)?


Also, I'm leaning toward building my own panels / traps using Ultratouch Denim insulation. I'm not a fan of fiberglass. My skin, throat, and eyes usually react very badly to a very small amount. The Ultratouch has great NRC numbers and several folks seem to be getting good results with it overall.
 
I have never used monitor stands. I do place mine on some high tech foam I get from work. I don't know if it does any good. I honestly think it transmits a lot of sound to the desk which can't be good. (I should look at that someday!!)

Bass traps need to have a specific density to work properly which is why OC703 is the recommended material. I don't know what the Ultratouch denim stuff is, but be sure it is comparable to OC703. I have a mix of OC703 and a Johns Manville product which is similar. I like the JM stuff better because it doesn't crumble like 703. With 703, you need to wrap it completely in fabric, not so with the JM stuff. I cover teh front, but what is up against the wall isn't covered and there is no dust or fiber loose.

Either way you choose, building your own is by far a cheaper way to go. It's easy work, if not a little tedious. Lots of threads in the Studio Build forum on how to make bass traps and gobos.
 
Chili said:
I have Event ALP5's for near fields and as mentioned in a previous post, some bookshelf speakers with a sub.

The ALP5s are very detailed. I can hear spittle on the lips of a singer. :eek: But just no low end. Unless my room is not treated good enough. I've read reviews on the ALP5s and they have been compared to teh NS10's. Is that a good thing?? I'm not so sure.
Click to expand...

It could be good, or horrible depending on your feelings about the NS10s. (more than you could ever want to know about them here The Yamaha NS10 Story) Perhaps they left a few zeros off and intended to compare them to the NS1000s... :)

It doesn't necessarily have to be your room causing the problem though. How your monitors are set up: distance from the wall, angle, isolation, etc will also effect your bass response.

jdchess said:
Quick question...Is it better to place the monitors on separate stands or on the mixing desk (assuming there's room)?
Click to expand...

If you can avoid having them on the desk itself that would be ideal. The best placement is for them to be pointing directly at your ears while you are in your working position... so typically they will have to be raised up a bit from your desk. I put a shelf across two milk crates and have my monitors on Auralex MoPad monitor isolators on the shelf. It is important to have the monitors isolated in some way from the surface they are on, so as Chili said, you don't transfer sound to your desk, shelfs, stands, etc...

BTW, unless you need the Auralex brand, which in a home studio it's doubtful, look for foam here: Noise Control Foam, Acoustic Foam, Soundproofing, Sound Proof Wedge Foam
or here:
sound proofing deadening, acoustic insulation foams, echo elimination, home studio soundproofing foam,

both are WAY CHEAPER and the performance specs are the same.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top