Room Size

[Alexbt]

My band will hopefully start recording again once my new system arrives and gets set up.

Our recording space has 3 rooms avaliable to us.

One large-ish rectangular room. This room does, however have a large opening to another room. Ceiling is about 7-8' with those celing tile things. (This kind is a drywall type material.

We also have a smaller room right next to this large room. It does have a door separating it, and the ceiling goes a bit higher because there are no ceiling tiles, just wood.

There is also a small bathroom in this room, which could be used for recording something (I know it happens!).

I mean, I know it's no comparison to actually being there and hearing the real ambience, but what is generally better, and what things should i check for with the rooms.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

That the rooms are neither too dead or too ambient for the types of sounds you are trying to get.

Avoid square rooms, and small rooms. In general small rooms (smaller than 6x8') tend to sound bad. Lemme know if you want the long explanation as to why.

 

[thajeremy]

its not my thread...but id like to hear the long explanation...

Im in a similar situation. I have only 2 rooms that make up my home studio. Im still working on how i want to arrange things. I have a 11 X 10 room which is currently where i mix and i have a 12 X 13 room where i track. Is this the best situation? I have no accoustic treatment in either of the rooms...it will come a little later. any suggestions?

 

[Alexbt]

That the rooms are neither too dead or too ambient for the types of sounds you are trying to get.

Avoid square rooms, and small rooms. In general small rooms (smaller than 6x8') tend to sound bad. Lemme know if you want the long explanation as to why.

Maybe I would. When we recorded our first album, the drum booth was about 6'x8'. maybe a bit smaller? I can't remember. That would about describe the size of the small room. The sound of this small room is very crisp. That's one word I think could describe it.

 

[riantide]

I have a bathroom adjacent to my tracking room, and I use it all the time. You can deaden the room itself and still have the bathroom for really live room tracks; great for drums and guitars.

I eagerly await the "long explanation," Cloneboy!

 

[chessrock]

The short explanation is ... too many early reflections and not enough room for bass to really develop / lots of potential for standing wave and room mode issues. Not to mention that you're limited to mostly two mic'ing options: close or very close.

One interesting possibility that a very small, semi air-tight room or booth might offer is a difference in air pressure; could be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on a lot of different factors.