How do you know when enough is enough?

I'm rather new to the subject of acoustics, but I'm trying to build me out a decent mix room. Most my instruments are either synthesizers or virtual instruments so I don't plan on recording any live instruments. My question is....how do I know how much acoustic treatment I need? I don't want to overdo it and make the room dead. Is there a general rule of thumb for mixing rooms?

Please read and follow the second sticky at the top of this forum. I think you know a complete answer could fill books. Trying to keep it simple for a post, the amount of absorption needed is defined by several equations. Several have been formalized and put into recommendations. The Grammy 5.1 document in the studio design section sticky references several of them. Without knowing your knowledge of math, the general equation is: RT=0.25((V/Vref)^0.333) where: RT=Reverb Time V=Room volume Vref=reference room Volume of 3500 ft^3 A more general guideline is an average absorption co-efficient of 0.4. What helps make it more confusing is that good low end treatment requires a lot of material, more than for highs. There are relatively simple ways to control higher frequency absorption, like using FRK faced insulation for full range absorbers, or covering with plastic or aluminum foil. Keep asking questions! The more you know, the better your space will be. Andre edit: corrected order of operations in equation

Thanks! I'm actually pretty good at math :wink: The problem I am having is information overload.... This forum and other sites contain so much information. I wish someone would just tell me what I should do :D I had a friend come over and tell me about placement and types of panels I need, but that was it. There is so much more to it. I just want to get this room ready so I can start producing and mixing my own works again.... I will take a look at the information you reference. I apologize in advance of all the newb questions. Searching the forum does not always yield the best results... Adam

AVare wrote:

Keep asking questions! The more you know, the better your space will be.

yeah! (and don't forget to do some homework by yourself ofcourse. read and learn, ask and learn some more)

I recently wrote a short article on some basics for listening room treatment: Three First Steps Toward A Good-Sounding Room. There is also Ethan's article which is more in depth, Acoustic Treatment and Design for Recording Studios and Listening Rooms. From there, if you need more info, you'll have a better idea of where to turn.