Rearranging My Recording Mixing Space

[rayc]

Hello folks,
I've been using my recording space for about 13 years. Recently I did a bit of a sort out as I had to remove a broken down irrepairable upright piano that was a) unusable & b) causing some resonance in the room.
I've finally taken the time to measure things
Attached &/or below is a diagram of my recording mixing space. It's a downstairs room gyprock on all side and ceiling. Carpet on slab underfoot.
The room is a 3.7m a side square with a 2.5m celing not QUITE a cube but close enough when it comes to creating problems.
There's a 2.8m window on the eastern wall that reached from about 80cm to almost the ceiling. It has fairly heavy drapes.
Opposite the window, on the western wall, are two 1m long bookcases stuffed with books etc.
On the northern wall near the door are two floor to ceiling CD racks.
On the southern wall is shelving/desk unit that's 50cm deep & the two centre sections are double height reaching up about 1.8m
My mixing station & all round computer gear section is the 2nd from the east.
My approx mixing seat is the X.
I've put amp cabs & other gear in different spots trying to find what is convenient for recording as well as best for mixing.
Any thoughts on the how to optimize the space?
No bass traps or absorbtion panels etc in the room at present.
Beyond the eastern window (set into a brick outer wall) is garden.
Outside the door/northern wall is a hallway. To the north (behind the bookshelves) is a sitting room and to the south is the outer brick wall.

 

[GIK Acoustics]

If it is possible to rearrange some stuff in the room, I would think the best spot would be to face the window. Considering LF energy can pass through windows more than wall partitions depending on thickness and mass, you have not only an asymmetrical set up for stereo imaging, but also an asymmetrical bass response as well which could definitely cause translation issues. Is the stuff on the north wall moveable?

 

[rayc]

Windows east, bookeshelves west, m desk/shelves south & CD racks north.
Are you suggesting moving the desk/shelving 90 degrees left/counter clockwise so that they are along the window?

 

[rayc]

Hello folks,
Any more input PLEASE?

 

[rayc]

Only one brave soul with a suggestion. Thanks Alexander, I was hoping you'd return with a little more good info.
I must be projecting a very grumpy, unhelpful persona this week.

Please, let me know if I have this right:
a) Set up mixing station in front of the window mid way along the eastern wall;
b) Adjust sweet spot at approx 38% of the way into the room from the centre of the windowed wall;
c) Bass trap all corners;
d) Put absorbers in 1st reflection point L (south) & R (north) as well as above (up) &
e) diffusers where possible.

Now, what how do I deal with the window?

 

[GIK Acoustics]

Hey Ray,

I haven't been on this weekend, sorry for the late response.

Your steps are right on, though I wouldn't worry about diffusion until later. It may not be necessary, and it is quite an investment, even if DIYing. Also, the 38% rule isn't very helpful in small rooms. It is also only a guideline, not an absolute. I would recommend trying to find optimal speaker & listening position first, then adding necessary bass traps. Try the speakers all the way against the window, then pull them out 5-6", listen, pull them out more, etc until you find which position works best with your set up.

Also, how large is this desk/shelving? Are your speakers on dedicated stands or in the shelving? If your set up is built into a bookcase I would really suggest a separate desk for a multitude of reasons, the main being resonances and reflections, along with proper decoupling, etc. Going from speakers on a desk to speakers on stands makes quite a large difference usually, so I would recommend that as well.

What exactly do you need to deal with in terms of the window?

 

[rayc]

GIK,
Don't apologise. You're doing me a favour for me so it's at your convenience.
I've actually dragged in a desk so have left the shelving, (it's actually an open structure with only the shelves themselves being more than a frame - all real wood), where it is.
The desk is midway along the window wall and is 94cm wide by 74cm deep. I'll begin as you recommend working on speaker position today but have to solve a hardware problem before I do as it seems my PCI recording card/breakout box combo decided to die in the move. I'll have to hook up an alternative source and route to the monitors so I can assess the location. (Stangely, Reaper seems to have gone ferral too - laying at double speed or more).
Stands & traps, sadly, will be moved back in priority as I now need to replace the interface.
I'll let you know how & where the monitors end up.
Thanks for the input.

 

[GIK Acoustics]

Ray,

Life always "happens" at unfortunate times quite often these days, it seems. Had someone back into my car at a gas station earlier today! D'oh!

Hopefully you can get the issues resolved quickly without too much hassle. Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[rayc]

GIK,
Thanks. Sorry to hear you were tailended. That's painful to posket & stress levels let along potential injury.
On a bright note my PCI car resurrected itself.
The down side is this was about 15 minutes after I paid for a replacement.
Ying & yang certainly seems on a short cycle at present.
Neverthless, Currently speakers are about 10" from the window wall and projecting into an almost perfect sweet spot.
I listened to my last 3 or 4 projects and was amazed at the change in sonics.
Now, I'm unused to the change as yet but will listen more and be able to determine how much things have improved (or degraded I suppose - is possible though unlikely).
I'll have to take the DIY path for treatment I suppose. Bass traps in Australia are generally just the Acaoutic foam type. There's a local distributor for Real Traps but they import each order & that adds about 90% of the items cost. - prohibitive.
I've not looked up you mob downunder but assume the same is the case. I will do the research 1st though as I'm the world's worst DIYer - after my former brother -in-law.

 

[rayc]

Here's a rough set of shots of the rearranged room.
the computer monitor is the mixing station facing east (lovely view but too much light this morning);
The shelving units with TV on the southern wall;
The bookshelves/gear shelves on the western wall and
The door, CD racks and speaker cabs etc on the northern wall.

 

[rayc]

Here is the original plan, (orientation top is south, left is east), modified to reflect the changes: