starting to plan

[ibrc]

Hello to all
I am just starting to plan my studio and I have a quick question.
Question. In your opinion what would be a good size room to accommodate duties involved in recording music in a digital enviroment? If anyone has any other advise to pass on please do!!!

info on my situation.
Music taste Rock, Punk, classic rock, and so on.
I've done lots of recording.
My basement has an odd size hence the question. It's wide open as far as what I can do but a size suggestion will help me a little in planning.
Building skills are not a problem.

Most recording done in the room will be direct with the exception of vocals. I would like to have a vocal booth in the room. If I record any guitar via amp I will build a isolation chamber elsewhere in the basement.

My enviroment is extremely quiet. I live on a private street.

Basement, carpet
Walls poured concrete.
Ceiling exposed trusses 8'

Upon my initial planning of the room I can map out a 17' by 16' rectangle Using existing structure as follows.
Front wall concrete
Back wall. 8' of concrete rest is open. contour of basement.
Right wall concrete
Left wall. Drywall, studs, stair casing.

Soundproofing is not top on my list as to the sound of the room. Like I said it is really quiet here.

I would assume I could use the front wall for my console and build off that.

I just don't want to plan something to small for good results.

Thanks so much if anyone can help.
If I missed anything you can step on my toe and yell at me and stuff

 

[ibrc]

Goodevening boys. Hope all is well.
I thought a kick ass ms paint pic might help. Should be close to 3/16 scale depending on your resolution.
You guys can have free reign on ideas. I'm open to anything since it's all bare concrete. The rectangle and circle in the upper left corner would be the furnace and water heater.

Right now I'm thinking an out of the bottom right corner approach, or front wall being to the left of the stairwell.

The room is used for music and storage. That is all. Like I said. I would like to record vocals in the same room.

Thanks again.

 

[ibrc]

not enough info? think I'm a wiener? not the right place to post this?
I am not just shooting out questions. I've been researching for close to two years. I know all existing "decent" sounding spots in the room.
The remaining piece of the puzzle is the layout. Everything else is in place.
Once I get the layout done and ask a few questions I can buy materials and start building. I would dig being a part of this forum. Posting pics of progress and stuff.

Please don't take me the wrong way. I'm not trying to push buttons nor am I bitching. Just looking for ideas

 

[Michael Jones]

No, you picked the right place to post this, its just that I'm (and I'm sure others) are confused.

You say you're into rock, classic rock, and punk, but then you go on to say that everything will be recorded direct. And thats OK... very workable and all, but it's not the method I'd use for a big, classic rock sound.

Let's start with some very basic questions;
First and foremost:
What is your building budget?

How much of the space CAN you use?
Bare concrete walls are horrendous for recording, mixing and mastering. Are you prepared to do EXTENSIVE modifications to the space?
How high is the ceiling?
Where are the A/C and heating units located?
Can you locate other utilities on the plan? (Lights, outlets, drain pipes)

Answer these while I think of some more questions.

 

[ibrc]

Michael,

I'm on it. It will take me a few to come up with the information.

Thank you.

 

[ibrc]

Ok Michael. I revised the floor plan. not sure if I can edit the first post so I will attach it here. If you need any more info. Or if I missed anything let me know. It also has the ceiling measurment.

I know I have a bit of mix going on here. A couple of reasons have left me here so I must move on towards what I want to accompolish. Rock would be my main gig but my tastes wander far. One being a lack of like minded musicians around here.
As far as sound I haven't found everything I would like to use. I'm sure I will end up building a isolation chamber for an amp. I experiment constantly

As far as the room is concerned.
Left = North. I've setup shop in the left corner for the past 3 years. This is the most comfortable, quiet place in the house. I live with my wife. No one really comes over. When I record no one is home and I turn everything that makes noise. Our Air conditioning unit is located on the southwest / bottom right corner. Two ducts pass through. That is all. I have free reign of the room. and the house for that matter. I have thought about recording downstairs and just mixing, mastering upstairs. My system is note book based until I can make a nice analog investment.

I've messed around down there with my live rigs for a while. Soldano hr 50, and such. I am way familar with the concrete now. lol
Through this time I have been experimenting with pieces of carpet and foam. Just make shift things I leave up in places while I play and playback cd's. Just kind of observing the beast.

To be honest I really need to do something down there. It sounds horrible, it kills my creativity and It has no feel. I figure if I spend 30 hours a week down there I owe to my self. Plus building runs strong in my family.

Personally I would like to keep it as simple as possible. I understand what it takes to make something top notch. Which happens to be my tastes. However someone taught me k.i.s.s one day. This will be my first build. My next will be in a new location.

 

[Michael Jones]

Can you post any pic's of the space?
One on each side of the stairwell would be nice.

And what about those electrical outlets? Where are they?

 

[ibrc]

Can you post any pic's of the space?
One on each side of the stairwell would be nice.

And what about those electrical outlets? Where are they?

oops! I forgot about the budjet. It depends on other purchases. I have to get some plans going. Once I come up with something I can figure out cost.
I am aware of the investment.

I really want a nice room in an enviroment or atmosphere sort of way. Not a work type pro studio look.


outlets = little red boxes I have three in my area.
I wish I could get some pics up. I have yet to purchase a camera
If you need a drawing I can do my best.
The stairs are bare underneath. the top of the stairs have drywall up to the ceiling, with studs supporting the dry wall. If I stand facing south in my area it looks like a wall cut diagonally with the bottom section removed minus four feet for the landing and EDIT ENTRY DOOR on the opposite side. Picture a unfinished basement with carpet and painted walls. paint is about 020 thick. Joices run east,west.
My home is a ranch.

One thing I've noticed is the i-beams. I wonder if it would be possible to build something contained within them or between one I-beam and a wall. They are very practical in my opinion.

 

[BlindCowboy]

I haven't read all the posts, just looked over the floor plan.

I'd break it into two tracking rooms w/ a small mic closet or amp closet on the left. Each room will have a sliding glass door for access and to keep the noise down a bit. Room off the furnace/water heater and that leaves you with a small storage in the back. Ah, here's a drawing.

After re-reading your post, I think this can give you what you want, look nice, and be a quick build. You don't seem overly concerned about isolation, so a simple sheet-rock and stud off of the wall with a nice insulation to keep it comfortable and help with the reflections. Ahh, home sweet home..

 

[ibrc]

little update.

oops, I think I forgot the budget.
I am well aware of the investment involved and I hold a pretty good grasp of what it takes to build what I want. With this room I don't intend on floating the floor. I would like to work with a simple wall construction. I would prefer to use hand built treatments. It will be easier to relocate once we move. I've been messing around with my lazer level and some string just to get a feel for size and speaker placement.

I have an idea that may be pretty good as far as an approach to the room. The shape or speaker location isn't resolved. All my mock up positions thus far stick me just about in the middle of the room which I've read is bad.

Hey Cowboy,
thanks for taking the time to whip that up for me. Only one problem though. The intention is one room located in the left hand corner of the floor plan

 

[BlindCowboy]

Mmm kay. Then how about this. Push out the room with two walls. Divide the space by the I-Beam, and cut a passage way under the staircase for access to one of the rooms, as in the drawing attached. Also, I positioned the sliding doors so that you can see into the other area that is not included as the studio space. This will allow you to use the space, if not permanently. Access under the stair case will prevent folks from moving to the control room through the tracking room.

 

[ibrc]

lol. That is the same layout I have laid out in tape right now minus the door by the stairs. It was really the only option I could think of so I guess I'm going with it.

So, I've also been reading about acoustics from Sayers productions.
The mixing room will end up being 10 x 14. One thing I'm stuck on is the dimension for speaker placement. I've been messing around with 7 feet and 8 feet Triangle.

Anyone have a preferences? Is one better than the other for this size room. And does a rule of thumb exist for off the wall dimensions for speaker placement on stands?

As far as ceiling angle the front wall (speaker wall?) would be shorter than the back wall?

What kind of wattage should I shoot for in a active monitor unless passive would be better?

 

[BlindCowboy]

Actually, i'm about to get a set of the Truth 2031A monitors (if they'd ever release them) at $300 a pair, they fit the price. I've only heard good reviews on the 2031's.

 

[ibrc]

I'm actually going to check out some monitors today. A lot of people harp on Beringer but I've used quite a few of their products with no problems.

Man, my head has been spinning. I need to take a break on research or atleast settle on some things. Between figuring out the acoustics, and picking out recording gear. bah!.