What to do with this bedroom

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fiddlermatt
  • Start date Start date
Hi, everyone. By way of introduction my name is Matthew and I'm a bluegrass musician from Oklahoma. I've taught and played professionally for a few years and have recorded two CDs with a professional. I want to set up a small home recording area where I can create backing tracks for myself and generally doodle around. Unfortunately, while I attend university, this will have to be in my bedroom. I understand there are many pitfalls to doing this, and I am well aware of the fact I will probable never get halfway decent sounding recordings.

The recording chain I'm considering is a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 used with either my desktop or laptop and a mid-range condenser microphone as well as a few dynamics.

I've attached a crude drawing of the room. Please forgive the shoddy artwork. It is 12x14', the floors are carpeted (ouch), the walls are wood paneling, and the ceiling is rough textured sheet rock. It has two windows (shown by diamonds.) and a small closed. Only one corner is exposed, and I'm hoping that will cut down the bass. I can record from either desk. When I do the clap test, I don't hear any unusual or horrible sounds.

What are the main hazards I need to be watching for? I can't really modify the room in any way, but I could add non-permanent things. What tests do you recommend I perform to get a better picture of what kind of stuff I'll need to treat it effectively? I hope all these questions don't sound completely stupid.
Thanks,
Matthew

Matthew, go to my website and look at some of the low-cost DIY things I've done in my room that is 11X13.
Not sure what your budget is but as you will be in college I will guess that it isnt into thousands at this point. ;)
If you are planning to just "create backing tracks for myself and generally doodle around", I'd start with acoustic panels to the left and right of your listening area (first reflexion points), then acoustic panels behind your monitors.
The Wood Panelled Walls are far from perfect but as your budget and time allow, I suggest you use the above as a start off point and continue adding acoustic products as time and $$ allow.
 
Here's a updating drawing showing where I would be doing my recording/mixing ideally. What I'm considering doing is moving the bed over towards the desk a few feet, and moving the bookshelf towards the desk a few feet and building superchunks for that corner. The two problem corners will be the computer desk and the door corner. I see no feasible way to treat it. I can put a few chunks on top of the computer desk, in that corner, to work on the ceiling corner. As far as treating first reflection points, what are your recommendations there? I can upload some pictures tomorrow if that will help.
 

Attachments

  • Room.webp
    Room.webp
    49.1 KB · Views: 53
Your 'full sized bed' looks awfully long and skinny. I hope to assume your picture is off scale.

Symmetry between the side walls from your listening position, is crucial to a true comprehension of the stereo field in your listening environment. In other words, if one wall to the side of you, is closer than the other, even with 'first reflection' treatments, you will have an unbalanced reflection that will cause problems.

IMO, get your listening position in the optimum placement first. Centered on the short wall, as far from the back wall as you can in this situation. I would guess 2' off the wall for monitor placement if possible, though I am not one who has scientific knowledge of the best results here. I just know what worked best for me.

Sorry if I came in late, and/or gave wrong information.
 
Yes, unfortunately, the drawing is a little of scale. I am absolutely horrible at drawing ANYTHING. I can get the monitors pretty well centered, I imagine, and about two feet off the wall is what they will be. Thanks for the info.
 
Back
Top