Small room with an offset Fireplace... -What to do?

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GhostsonAcid

GhostsonAcid

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Hello,

I have an odd little room (~2.4 x 4.6m (~8 x 15')) that I'm trying to turn into a temporary (-but professional as 'reasonable'-) space to mix an old album I never finished...
-I say "odd" because of a towering fireplace/heat-wall at the near-center of the room, which is offset about 18cm (7") from a center-line... -___- It might not sound like a lot, but in a small room this kind of asymmetry might impart some pretty annoying asymmetry in the reflections.(?)

So, out of the two options illustrated here, which editing position seems most appropriate for this room?

With "option 2" (-where the speakers are along the shorter wall to the right), I could try placing a large bookshelf directly across from the fireplace to try to create some kind of symmetry.

Also, please note that I am just about to build ~16, 15cm-thick (~6"), fiberglass-filled panels to help treat the room.
And I will be getting a set of used, Yamaha HS7s in the coming days, and of course do plenty of testing/rearranging/experimentation!

But for now, any thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!
-Joe

Blue Room Basic Layout (1).webp

Blue Room Mixing Position Option 1 (1).webp

Blue Room Mixing Position Option 2 (1).webp

Blue Room Basic Layout Measurements.webp
 
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Put your desk on the left side - and don’t worry about the windows or fireplace - nearfields will eliminate most of the issues.
 
I would try either the long walk or the left wall. Be sure to add bass traps. FYI, my best sounding room is my storage room that has floor to ceiling shelves full of stuff that totally absorbs and diffuses the sound. Since it's temporary try filling the room with stuff you already have.
 
Put your desk on the left side - and don’t worry about the windows or fireplace - nearfields will eliminate most of the issues.
I would try either the long walk or the left wall. Be sure to add bass traps. FYI, my best sounding room is my storage room that has floor to ceiling shelves full of stuff that totally absorbs and diffuses the sound. Since it's temporary try filling the room with stuff you already have.
You could always mix on headphones.

Thank you for your replies all the way back then; I just wanted to post this update 4 months later... :D

So yeah, despite what two of you said, I decided to 'risk' it and go with the second option (-the short-wall, to the right). I determined that facing a window and thus trees, sky, and sunlight is just far better for my health (-as opposed to staring at that completely isolated back wall). Moreover, it turns out the long-wall was going to be impractical for me, as I would have had to have my listening position like 30cm in front of the fireplace... :( -Too close. -Potential reflection interference, etc.. Oh yeah, and the wall to the left had some weird, asymmetrical issues of its own. -A stepped portion of blocks jutting out on the right side only... -Something I had to work around when I made my own sound panels (-see below).

So with my new position, the massive asymmetry with the door is annoying, yes, but at the same time unique and interesting. As one might expect, tests with a measurement microphone (a Behringer ECM8000) indicate some pretty severe asymmetry in the lows, almost certainly due to this door. However, this is almost impossible to hear believe it or not, because those frequencies are so non-directional for us. Other EQ changes where applied, mostly to attenuate a few annoying modes/resonances...

Tomorrow I will probably post separately a bit about how I made the panels, and how my various changes to the room (and EQ to the speakers) affected the final outcome...

But for now, here are some pictures of the more-or-less "final" room. ~Enjoy!

-J
 

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I think it’s a lovely room. Acoustics can always be overcome. But having a comfortable room is priceless.
I’d rock it! Plus, having a fireplace? Cool!
 
Looks good - the acoustics are pretty good I bet - the only change I would make is painting the speakers stands black or a Dark Blue.
 
I tried something in my home studio - which is about 10m x 3m and it worked so well I'll repeat it. It's much less boxy than putting monitors in a corner - and I have a nice space right in front of me where I can put people - I have even added a green screen. Facing down the length from the mid point feels much nicer.studio.webp
 

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Looks good - the acoustics are pretty good I bet - the only change I would make is painting the speakers stands black or a Dark Blue.
This is actually not a bad idea...
-Like pitch-back to match the panels... Hmm... ?

And yes, I think it does sound pretty okay. The phantom center is pretty good, and the bass is relatively tight, balanced enough, and very decipherable.
I just posted all about it here, so go look at the measurements I did and let me know what you think! ?

-Cheers!
-J
 
Speaker stands concrete blocks? Unpainted concrete stands look eh, unfinished. Painted they would look artsy.
I say go blue, a gloss blue with the wood on the top and bottom black. You already have lots of black in there. :)
 
This is actually not a bad idea...
-Like pitch-back to match the panels... Hmm... ?

And yes, I think it does sound pretty okay. The phantom center is pretty good, and the bass is relatively tight, balanced enough, and very decipherable.
I just posted all about it here, so go look at the measurements I did and let me know what you think! ?
All that work and you have Yamaha H8’s? I suppose they sound as good as any - I have Barefoot Sounds MicroMains27 - they would sound great in there.
 
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