Studio Design Question

[Phyl]

I'd like to improve the space I'm currently using to record and mix my music.

I've got one half of the family room downstairs, the other half is taken up by a treadmill, television, couch, etc. Sound familar?

I won't be able to do anything very permanent but I have an idea that I'd like comments on. It involves separating the room into two halves using floor to ceiling gobos and then applying treatment to the walls and ceiling on the side my studio is in.

The picture I've included gives a rough idea of the dimensions and equipment placement. All comments are welcome.

 

[dwillis45]

Two quick points. First, you might need a set of bass traps in the rear corner areas. On the other hand, if the gobos at the center do not extend wall-to-wall, you probably won't need bass traps in the front. Second, you will probably need to cover the windows to absorb or diffuse reflected sound off the glass. Curtains, wooden shutters, etc. might do the trick. Just out of curiosity, how is the room fixed for sound isolation, HVAC noise, etc.? What type of flooring do you have? What about the ceiling? And when you say acoustic treatments are you envisioning foam and diffusers?

 

[Phyl]

Thanks for the reply.

It's a basement room with carpeting over a concrete floor, and sheetrocked walls and ceilings. The HVAC suppply/return ducts are sheetrocked over, but there are two heat vents in the ceiling.

The gobos won't extend wall to wall because I've got to allow for access to/from the family side of the room.

As far as acoustic treatment, I'm planning on using an assortment of diffusers, absorbers, and bass traps (the mix is yet to be determined) based on Etahn Winer's plans. As you mentioned, I'll need bass traps in the corners, and I also need to add something to the ceiling but I'm not quite sure what (diffusive, bass trap, or absorber...).

I guess I'm looking for a warm fuzzy that what I'm planning will result in a meaninful improvement.

For instance, what are the consequences of not being able to totally close off my studio space from the family space?

 

[dwillis45]

It's hard to say if your new setup would be an improvement. I guess it depends on how bad your old recording area was in terms of standing waves, sound isolation, etc.

On the family room issue: I would worry about ambient noise if I were recording vocals with a condenser mic or trying to mic an acoustic instrument. You also might find it difficult to concentrate if interruptions are an issue. I love my family, but there are two sets of locked doors between my recording room and the rest of the house.

Finally, you should fax your room dimensions to Auralex. They have a free consultation service and they will give you helpful advice on types of acoustic treatments and placement.

http://auralex.com/pcf/

 

[frederic]

The window, centered on the right wall, is that a traditional basement window where its very high up on the wall, and not that deep? Or is it a full sized window?

Because if its a casement window, and high up, put your console near that wall, with your back facing the treadmills and other stuff.

This will give you more air behind your speakers which will add to the quality of the sound and in turn, your mix.

Treatments would be similar, bass traps in the corners, etc.

Take advantage of the room length....

 

[Phyl]

DWillis - I'm already recording and mixing in this space, I just wanted to improve the acoustics. Recording is done on a non-interference basis, that means I wait until the wife leaves and the dogs quit barking.

Frederic - The window is your standard casement window, it starts about 30 inches from the floor and goes almost all the way to the ceiling.

I'm not sure I understood your comment about more air behind the speakers, are you suggesting that they be moved away from the wall, or are you just saying that if placed against the wall with the window there would be ~30 feet of space between the front of the speaker and the other side of the room? Are you saying that the gobos in the middle of the room aren't necessary?