which book for basic studio design and building?

I need a book that explains in a simple way the concept in studio designs, with clear illustrations and pictures. I'm gonna be building a room soon, and although I know the concepts of soundproofing, room in a room and basic studio designs, I'll need greater skills and knowledge. For example, I don't understand how the different layers of walls are laid out, in what order, and if the acoustic treatment is dealt with in the framing design, or if it is added to an already soundproofed room etc.. I have Rod Gervais's book, and although it seems very good, I don't think it is exactly the book I need, at least not at this stage of my project. What can you recommend?

djanogil wrote:

For example, I don't understand how the different layers of walls are laid out, in what order, and if the acoustic treatment is dealt with in the framing design, or if it is added to an already soundproofed room etc.. I have Rod Gervais's book, and although it seems very good, I don't think it is exactly the book I need, at least not at this stage of my project.

dj, my book really broke things down to the basics......... most of the other books that are worth anything are deep in the higher maths. In the uktimate of studio design - treatments are a part of the over all design - not an after thought.......... but (then again) you pay someone very dearly to design that as a part of your studio - and you won't learn that in any book that I am aware of. You're talking about something here that good acousticians are capable of - and that's after years and years of studies - and generally serving an apprenticeship as well in the field. I don't really understand what you mean about the order of laying out the wall layers - because the order doesn't matter - it works the same front to back as back to front. Is it (perhaps) construction in general that you don't understand? If you don't have at least a good basic concept of that, then I can see you getting lost in my book. But then the anser would be to get a good book on the basics of wood frame construction itself - and not specifically acoustics. PLease explain more about what your actual difficulty is - what you say above is sort of vague at best. Sincerely, Rod

My limitations in English may be the reason for my vagueness, I'll try to be more clear; On John's construction pages, I've seen studios with wood framing covered with plaster boards , and others covered with fabric all over, which would act as absorbant surfaces. My question was if you go with the former, do you add absorbant panels and bass traps on top of the plaster boards? My understanding of this is that you build the room first like any room, with concrete blocks for instance, and then build the inside room with frames that create the shape (unparallel walls) of the studio with the mineral wool inside. Is that correct?

djanogil wrote:

On John's construction pages, I've seen studios with wood framing covered with plaster boards , and others covered with fabric all over, which would act as absorbant surfaces.

John uses designs that utilize "inside out" inner wall construction - thus the entire wall become available for room treatment behind the fabric. I never saw this used before I "met" John - and consider this to be a proprietary system designed by him - thus you will not see it in my book - nor do I design using that system. All of my designs would have wood frames with plasterboard covering the walls inside the rooms.

My question was if you go with the former, do you add absorbant panels and bass traps on top of the plaster boards?

Yes you would treat the room in that manner.

My understanding of this is that you build the room first like any room, with concrete blocks for instance, and then build the inside room with frames that create the shape (unparallel walls) of the studio with the mineral wool inside. Is that correct?

That pretty much sums it up. I hope that helped. Rod

Hi Djanogil, be sure to read through the reference area here theres a wealth of information on everything to do with your construction here, this is probably as good as buying any book thats out there. It takes time to read through all the threads and some of them seem to go off track at times but be patient and read them thouroughly and you should find the answers to any questions you have, and if you can't find information on a particular area ask a question here. Good luck

Thanks for your help !!