Setting up a recording/rehearsal room

[vietarmis]

Hi there, this is my first post here, I was recommended to join from a fellow work collegue.

Firstly I'd just like to say WOW, this forum is really informative and has a great vibe. I have just been checking out the "Turtle Rock" website. Very impressed by the studio! Maybe in a few years when my tracks are up to scratch I'll have to head north and get some mastering done there :P

I was after some advise. I am in the process of having a house built and I'll have one room dedicated as a 'music room'. The measurements will be 3000 x 4460 (mm). Also there are two windows, one vertical narrow one, and another narrow one running horizontal. (see plan)

I have attached a few plans and sketches to give a better visual representation. Basically I want to have a recording/mixing setup. Ideally a desk with my recording equipment, ie computer, speakers, sound card etc. Then also have my drum kit mic'd up.

Recordings would generally be over dubbed. Occasionally rhythm section stuff would be recorded together, although space is tight! I'll want to do vocal recordings as well. Other than this I will be working with 'in the box' stuff, like electronic music and sound being dubbed to short films.

What sort of acoustic considerations do i need to be aware of, what would be my best case scenario, tips and tricks for setting up the walls or even ceilings? Things to be aware of with monitor placement etc etc. I'll probably be in this room a considerable amount of time and a number of years, any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

(PS I've been reading 'mixing with your mind' (again another recommendation of my co worker), and I am keen to put in to practice the 'one speaker in a room' method)

[Ausrock]

Viet,

Firstly, in "Floorplan02" I would increase the area the area shown for drums by at least 1/3 and probably move them out from the wall a little, this will give you a more realistic grasp of how much real estate they're likely to take up.

Secondly, for the type of info you're after, you can't go past the studio design forums here..........: http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php

[vietarmis]

Many thanks Ausrock, this is exactly what I am looking for!

[TimS]

Viet,
I just have gone thru the same process, although converted my office to a PT Suite/Control Room.. Its 2225 x 3500 so a little smaller than a bedroom..
I had it analysed by Auralex (acoustical treatment company) who offer a free room analysis. Was well worth doing..
They also make recommendations on what products (Auralex, of course) to purchase to help with your soundproofing.
Major Music Wholesale is the sole distributor in Oz - check the link.
http://www.auralex.com/dealers/international.asp
To do my room I was loooking at approx $1900AU - it was using a Deluxe Plus Roominator kit - see link below.
http://www.auralex.com/sound_control_deluxeplus/sound_control_deluxeplus.asp
I use their MoPads (monitor isolation pads) which are great.
As I'm not recording drums, etc in this room, I can use my bigger lounge room for tracking other instruments with movable isolation panels/sections.
Its opposite my PT room and I can use it for a roomy sound if required.
I too am an avid Stav reader - his book and AT..
Good luck in your venture - its quite a journey..
TimS..

[Ausrock]

I don't have details on hand but there are alternatives to Auralex which don't cost near the $$$.

[TimS]

I don't have details on hand but there are alternatives to Auralex which don't cost near the $$$.

I agree completely..
http://www.soundacoustics.com.au/ - has some great products much cheaper than Auralex. I mentioned Auralex because of the free room analysis..
I have been looking into this alot lately - have been checking out all the sound proofing companies locally to see what is available and what sort of prices..
There are quite a few companies around that can provide this type of service..
Depends on what your budget is and what you need - just early reflection/freq control taming or full anechoic properties..
Plus there's Ebay!! :twisted:
TimS..

This was my room analysis

[vietarmis]

Hey Tim and Ausrock

Thanks for the replies, I've found out a lot of info from that recording room forum. Also a neat program 'sketchup'.

I've gone ahead and ordered 4 LERND bass traps from Auralex as it turns out our store deals with Major Music (nice price). Thanks Tim for the recommendation, my co worker said he got good results from them.

Think i'll have to wait till the place is built then do some experimenting. Put some of Stav's methods to the works.

I am now thinking I might have to use an electronic drum kit as the neighbours might be a real issue... I really don't want to but at the same time would be handy for sequencing drums and could make great use of BFD and Battery 3.

Thanks again.

(I've attached a few basic sketchup files which is to scale of my room, incase you were interested)

[rick]

the great thing about sticking funny shaped foam on the walls in small rooms is it almost always helps

the sad thing is in reality the shape of the foams has little to do with the effect it gives , the type of foam ( open cell or closed cell) and the thickness of it is the key as well as the lifespan of the foam ( many products self distruct from the day they are created )

the upside is you do not HAVE to spend a fortune on magic shapes
the downside is the plain stuff does not look
"acoustical" enough

i have had a good look at running a company that imports funny shaped foam to "tune " rooms from the usa
the bottom line is that you can expect "every sale " to be approx $1750 aus.

ie that equals $1000 for the foam and $750 for the advice

my advice is buy the funny shaped stuff if you have not much of an idea what you are doing , it is money well spent and well solve a bunch of problems and look cool as well

if you know enough to be dangerous rethink spending tha money on funny shaped stuff and build specific material covered treatments out of the real acoustic rated "flat foam" - it is even more expensive does not look cool but it will last for 10 + years and you dont feel nearly as bad cutting it up to tunethe room as the funny shaped stuff



so things to learn from this post - it is thickness of foam not shape that dominants acoustic treament ( the thicker it is the lower the freq it will absorb)

think about and ask about the lifespan of the foam in australian conditions before you spend the "target figure" of $1750 per room hell ask for a guarantee ( you going to need it !)

[TimS]

the great thing about sticking funny shaped foam on the walls in small rooms is it almost always helps

the sad thing is in reality the shape of the foams has little to do with the effect it gives , the type of foam ( open cell or closed cell) and the thickness of it is the key as well as the lifespan of the foam ( many products self distruct from the day they are created )

the upside is you do not HAVE to spend a fortune on magic shapes
the downside is the plain stuff does not look
"acoustical" enough

i have had a good look at running a company that imports funny shaped foam to "tune " rooms from the usa
the bottom line is that you can expect "every sale " to be approx $1750 aus.

ie that equals $1000 for the foam and $750 for the advice

my advice is buy the funny shaped stuff if you have not much of an idea what you are doing , it is money well spent and well solve a bunch of problems and look cool as well

if you know enough to be dangerous rethink spending tha money on funny shaped stuff and build specific material covered treatments out of the real acoustic rated "flat foam" - it is even more expensive does not look cool but it will last for 10 + years and you dont feel nearly as bad cutting it up to tunethe room as the funny shaped stuff



so things to learn from this post - it is thickness of foam not shape that dominants acoustic treament ( the thicker it is the lower the freq it will absorb)

think about and ask about the lifespan of the foam in australian conditions before you spend the "target figure" of $1750 per room hell ask for a guarantee ( you going to need it !)

Rick,
Sound advice (excuse the pun) :roll:
I think for home studios any degree of sound proofing and absorption is going to be beneficial.
What I'm looking at is foam panels and bass wedges..






Do you have any examples of your 'plain stuff' v's 'funny shaped stuff' DIY builds??
I gather your funny shaped stuff is like the pics above?
TimS

[rick]

dont get me wrong i am not dismissing funny shaped stuff it works
as well as flat stuff of the same size and it looks more star trek which is an added bonus !
have a look at any prostudio on the web incuding mine and look at all those fabric coloured walls
whats behind all that fabric is the example to think about
basically behind all that coloured fabric will be flat foam of different thicknesses or no foam at all in places, just like the star trek foam installations

the thing with the funny shapes is in exposed air they break down ( sometimes in months )
and the size of the wavelengths that are affected by the "shaping " off the foam is practically not an issue

so use it it works but keep in mind that those pretty shapes are only helping the sound your eyes hear

[Guest]

I'm in the process of putting panels into my little studio at the moment. The solution I'm using is flat foam in frames with a light weave open cloth stretched over it.

That means I can get a few friend to art up the panels with ink based pens so as not to clog up the fabric but still get some interesting art up on the walls rather than dull grey foam.

This may not be everyone cup of tea but I'm the one who has to work in there the most and with no window (had to board it up to cut down on noise) its nice to have something for the client and my self to look at when the computer screens get to much.

I should point out thought that I did put the foam up first to work out where I needed it because once the panels are finished they're not the easiest things to switch around.