Dogbreath
Im an ex-spurt
hmmm... reasonable for me usually comes down to budget. Are you building from scratch?
I'd want the live room as big as I could afford, I guess. Ceilings especially.
What's your game plan?
I'd want the live room as big as I could afford, I guess. Ceilings especially.
What's your game plan?
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
Well, just for comparison...
Some years back I designed a small video studio that we used a number of times for 4 and 5 piece bands. The studio was about 1000 square feet with a ceiling at about 20 feet. Obviously our needs for video were different than for a live room but my sense is that the space would have provided enough room for iso booths, and general separation.
The control room was about 360 square feet, on a couple of levels with technical equipment on the lower level and a raised area (in our case for graphics and producers but in a sound situation it would have held a client couch.
We also had a "green room" of about 400 square feet which had a counter with microwave, drinks fridge, etc (which might be enough for your kitchen. Being a TV studio, we also had a dressing/make up room of about 150 square feet--this could be your office I guess.
Besides the above, the air conditioning plant room (quiet enough for studio use) was about another 200 square feet plus compressors outside the building.
Other things to consider:
For our 1000 square foot studio the fire officer required use to have two exits--we turned the second one into a combined storage area and loading bay. You WILL need storage for cables, mics, stools, acoustic screens etc. etc. and you WILL need easy unloading access for unloading drum kits, keyboards, etc. etc.
You'll probably want a reception area so visitors don't blunder straight into the studio area.
In case it helps, from memory our budget for acoustic treatment (designed by a professional consultancy) and the super quiet A/C was about 80,000 pounds, say 150,000 dollars. This doesn't include any of the building works for things like floating floors, double skinned sound proof walls, etc. and certainly doesn't include wiring or equipment.
Good luck (deep pockets)!
Some years back I designed a small video studio that we used a number of times for 4 and 5 piece bands. The studio was about 1000 square feet with a ceiling at about 20 feet. Obviously our needs for video were different than for a live room but my sense is that the space would have provided enough room for iso booths, and general separation.
The control room was about 360 square feet, on a couple of levels with technical equipment on the lower level and a raised area (in our case for graphics and producers but in a sound situation it would have held a client couch.
We also had a "green room" of about 400 square feet which had a counter with microwave, drinks fridge, etc (which might be enough for your kitchen. Being a TV studio, we also had a dressing/make up room of about 150 square feet--this could be your office I guess.
Besides the above, the air conditioning plant room (quiet enough for studio use) was about another 200 square feet plus compressors outside the building.
Other things to consider:
For our 1000 square foot studio the fire officer required use to have two exits--we turned the second one into a combined storage area and loading bay. You WILL need storage for cables, mics, stools, acoustic screens etc. etc. and you WILL need easy unloading access for unloading drum kits, keyboards, etc. etc.
You'll probably want a reception area so visitors don't blunder straight into the studio area.
In case it helps, from memory our budget for acoustic treatment (designed by a professional consultancy) and the super quiet A/C was about 80,000 pounds, say 150,000 dollars. This doesn't include any of the building works for things like floating floors, double skinned sound proof walls, etc. and certainly doesn't include wiring or equipment.
Good luck (deep pockets)!
Mark7
Well-known member
Yes, it would be built from scratch*. The problen is I'm not good at visualising space, so I've no idea if I'd need, to give two examples, 1,000 ft², or 10,000; or whatever. I'm not even sure what 1,000 ft² actually looks like.
I haven't included ceiling height in the equation because I sense it might not be something I have much choice about.
*In a pre-existing space.
I haven't included ceiling height in the equation because I sense it might not be something I have much choice about.
*In a pre-existing space.
mjbphotos
Moderator
Think of square feet in 2 dimensions. 1000 sq ft = 20 ft X 50 ft, or 25 ft x 40 ft >> so if your live room is 15 ft x 40 ft, that leaves you with 10 ft x 40 ft for everything else.
Mark7
Well-known member
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
I don't know if you were serious but no it doesn't.
First off, the whole place is about the size you need for a studio--no control area, lounge, office, plant room, etc. etc.
Second, you're on an industrial estate so sound proofing and acoustic treatment will be essential. This writes off 18-24 inches inches on every side of the studio. This doesn't sound like much but your 1000 square feet soon turns into a lot less. The ceiling height looks pretty low. Once you've added sound proofing to the ceiling and a floating floor at the bottom, your room height gets pretty low pretty fast.
I should have asked up front if this is meant to be just a private hobby or a commercial enterprise? Pretty few home hobbyists can afford a new build with all the bells and whistles you mentioned in your first post. On the other hand, if it's meant to be a business then you have to do it properly and will need deep pockets for a studio of this size. Professional help with the design will be essential.
Mark7
Well-known member
It's going to be a commercial enterprise. The problem is I cannot visualise spaces so I need help on deciding exactly what size of total floor area we'll need. I don't even know how much of it should be set aside for the control room or the ancillary rooms, never mind how much you need for the actual studio area. Floor plans would be helpful if anyone can post/link to them.
I'm working with a friend who's already drawn up a viable business plan. We're offering a unique service which we believe will be profitable in the long run.
I'm working with a friend who's already drawn up a viable business plan. We're offering a unique service which we believe will be profitable in the long run.
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
Does your business plan include a budget for the fit out?
If you're having trouble visualising space, may I suggest that you find a generic large space (even a car park would do) and visit it with a roll of masking tape. Pretend you're a band (with drums, keyboards etc.) then space yourself far enough apart for decent miking, separation etc. Then use the tape to make a box around yourselves. Do the same for the control room, lounge, office, take a guess at an equipment room, air conditioning plant room and a reception, and use lots more tape. Then measure everything and you'll have an idea.
Somebody else's floor plans would be useless to because you need to fit whatever space you end up renting. My thumb in the air guess is that you'll need around 2500 sq. ft. all in but this will vary up and down depending on the layout of the space. Or, there are tricks like finding a double height industrial space, leaving the studio tall but putting in a second floor in the other zones. This increases your fit out costs but means you can rent fewer square feet that would save your rent costs.
Seriously, with the questions you're asking, I'd factor a specialist architect and/or acoustic consultant into your business plan rather than trying to do it alone.
If you're having trouble visualising space, may I suggest that you find a generic large space (even a car park would do) and visit it with a roll of masking tape. Pretend you're a band (with drums, keyboards etc.) then space yourself far enough apart for decent miking, separation etc. Then use the tape to make a box around yourselves. Do the same for the control room, lounge, office, take a guess at an equipment room, air conditioning plant room and a reception, and use lots more tape. Then measure everything and you'll have an idea.
Somebody else's floor plans would be useless to because you need to fit whatever space you end up renting. My thumb in the air guess is that you'll need around 2500 sq. ft. all in but this will vary up and down depending on the layout of the space. Or, there are tricks like finding a double height industrial space, leaving the studio tall but putting in a second floor in the other zones. This increases your fit out costs but means you can rent fewer square feet that would save your rent costs.
Seriously, with the questions you're asking, I'd factor a specialist architect and/or acoustic consultant into your business plan rather than trying to do it alone.
witzendoz
Senior Member
On the question of size, relating to my own studio, which is a part time business for me:
Control room approx: 4.8mtrs x 3.4mtrs (16' x 11')
Recording room approx: 8.6mtrs x 3.4mtrs (28' x 11')
However don't forget other space, I have also in the building:
Workshop / storage area: 4.5mtrs x 5.4 mtrs (15' x 18')
Up stars level:
Lounge: 5mtrs x 5.5mtrs
Storage room 3mtrs x 3.5mtrs
Office: 4.4mtrs x 5.8 mfrs (This office is rented to a friends business which helps the covering overheads).
The upstairs was not suitable for sound proofing without great cost, the studio space was fitted in around the kitchen and bathroom areas which would have been expensive to move. The workshop and storage room is a must as there is tons of gear that would clog up studio space if in there all the time. The lounge is great for getting band members out of the control room when they are board of watching the guitar player do the 2,000,000th solo. And the office is a great side income.
Comments after using this space for 7 years:
The control room is a bit small, I could have twice the space easy.
The recording room works very well, the strange long narrow space is great for setting up bands to track live if needed, drums one end guitars the other, and the sound of the room is very good.
I could have done with a vocal booth, but I wanted the one room vibe so vocals are usually done separate to the band, the booth however would have been useful for voiceover work which I sometimes do, still looking at the voice booth solution without taking the recording room space, maybe upstairs.
Cheers
Alan.
p.s, photos on my link
Control room approx: 4.8mtrs x 3.4mtrs (16' x 11')
Recording room approx: 8.6mtrs x 3.4mtrs (28' x 11')
However don't forget other space, I have also in the building:
Workshop / storage area: 4.5mtrs x 5.4 mtrs (15' x 18')
Up stars level:
Lounge: 5mtrs x 5.5mtrs
Storage room 3mtrs x 3.5mtrs
Office: 4.4mtrs x 5.8 mfrs (This office is rented to a friends business which helps the covering overheads).
The upstairs was not suitable for sound proofing without great cost, the studio space was fitted in around the kitchen and bathroom areas which would have been expensive to move. The workshop and storage room is a must as there is tons of gear that would clog up studio space if in there all the time. The lounge is great for getting band members out of the control room when they are board of watching the guitar player do the 2,000,000th solo. And the office is a great side income.
Comments after using this space for 7 years:
The control room is a bit small, I could have twice the space easy.
The recording room works very well, the strange long narrow space is great for setting up bands to track live if needed, drums one end guitars the other, and the sound of the room is very good.
I could have done with a vocal booth, but I wanted the one room vibe so vocals are usually done separate to the band, the booth however would have been useful for voiceover work which I sometimes do, still looking at the voice booth solution without taking the recording room space, maybe upstairs.
Cheers
Alan.
p.s, photos on my link
Mark7
Well-known member
Thanks Sport 
That all comes to about 133.38m² or 1,435.69ft²
We'd probably looking for something around the 2,000ft² range. Especially as Jon will probably want to get a Grand and a B3 in there at some point
That all comes to about 133.38m² or 1,435.69ft²
We'd probably looking for something around the 2,000ft² range. Especially as Jon will probably want to get a Grand and a B3 in there at some point
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
OT for Alan/Witzendoz...
Some years back the company I was working for got a contract to do radio news for a client--but we had VERY limited time to get the space--a space not very good for studio work.
We ended up using an IAC Acoustics Modular system to create one large "round table interview studio" with a control room, plus three self op voice booths. The whole lot went up in two days and I was very impressed with both the sound isolation and the acoustics. Importantly, we got excellent isolation with far thinner walls (and therefore less physical space) than a conventional build.
I have no idea how their pricing is in Aus but their local website is HERE. I have no idea how their Aus delivery times and prices are but it might be something to consider for your awkward-to-house voice booth (and if your area is anything like where we were, once people find you can do a good job of voice overs, clients beat a path to your door, especially if you can handle video playback as well.
Actually, I say off topic, but the OP should certainly consider contacting IAC in the UK where they have a major office and manufacturing plant. They're not cheap but their modular stuff actually worked out cheaper than a scratch build when we used them--and had us up and working in days, not weeks.
Some years back the company I was working for got a contract to do radio news for a client--but we had VERY limited time to get the space--a space not very good for studio work.
We ended up using an IAC Acoustics Modular system to create one large "round table interview studio" with a control room, plus three self op voice booths. The whole lot went up in two days and I was very impressed with both the sound isolation and the acoustics. Importantly, we got excellent isolation with far thinner walls (and therefore less physical space) than a conventional build.
I have no idea how their pricing is in Aus but their local website is HERE. I have no idea how their Aus delivery times and prices are but it might be something to consider for your awkward-to-house voice booth (and if your area is anything like where we were, once people find you can do a good job of voice overs, clients beat a path to your door, especially if you can handle video playback as well.
Actually, I say off topic, but the OP should certainly consider contacting IAC in the UK where they have a major office and manufacturing plant. They're not cheap but their modular stuff actually worked out cheaper than a scratch build when we used them--and had us up and working in days, not weeks.