A Harley Fueled "Man Cave Audio" Studio Build! HELP!!!

Sheesh, everybody's a smart-ass... :lol: No more containers, PLEASE! I'm cryin' "UNCLE!" :cry:

Sorry 'bout that! I couldn't help it: I just couldn't contain myself there.... :) OOOPS! OK, I'll shut up now....

Maybe ONE exterior entry airlock, that opens into the main space, with doors large enough to get a piano through, without dismantling it...

One suggestion: Don't try to do "double doors" in each leaf in order to get a really wide door. In other words, don't do two doors hinged on opposite sides that meet in the middle. Those are really hard to seal acoustically. Instead, think of a single large door in each leaf. Maybe make it a sliding door, if it would be too big to hang on hinges. But however you do it, make it massive, heavy, and well sealed. "Mass" and "airtight" are two of your new best friends!

(The Boston guys would hate it, I airbrushed "flames" onto it...)

Sacrilege! You better hope they never find out! :)

They're evidently surplus light panels from a library build. Triple paned glass, argon filled, on mech risers, thermostat operated. ... Each unit sits on a motorized riser that lifts the skylight up, ... The skylight channels are concrete boxes, cast in place (inner and outer walls with insulation inside them). They're cast right into the roof surface. ... He did a good albeit neurotic job. ...

I'd say "neurotic" is putting it politely! The more you talk, the more this sounds like an "end-of-the-world" type survival bunker, designed to survive pretty much anything short of a direct nuclear strike! From what you say, I think Brien ("xSpace") has the right idea: Acoustic absorption panels on the shaft walls, to damp resonance in there, and then maybe thick laminate glass directly underneath each shaft, built into your inner-leaf ceiling, to keep the light. Since those skylights would then be part of your outer leaf, you'd have to close them permanently, remove the opening mechanism (or at least, disconnect the power), and seal them all around, airtight. You'll have something like a five-leaf system in there(! :shock: !), so low frequency isolation will be out the window (excuse the pun!) but I don't see there is much else you can do about that, short of ripping them out or sealing them up completely. I'm thinking that there is so much mass in there with triple-paned argon filled laminate glass panel, and a five foot air gap, plus another really thick laminate glass pane in the inner-leaf ceiling, that you probably should be OK despite the multi-leaf system. I suspect that your resonant frequency in that system will be low enough that it won't be an issue. But I'll leave that up to the experts to figure it out for certain.

I got ya. And whaaaaa? More calculations? My head hurts already!

Ohhhh, you haven't even STARTED yet with the calculations yet! Your materials shopping list should include a truck load of Aspirin, as the first priority... Seriously, don't sweat the calculations too much: most of them are easy, simple math, and for the really complex ones there are web sites and spread sheets where you can just plug in the numbers, and it will draw pretty graphs and curves and tables for you to state at.

Okay, "inside/out" is labor intensive, but it's a labor of love,right? Can it be achieved by a DIY'r? Or do I have to start looking for a buyer of my other Harley?

You have ANOTHER one of those monsters? WOW!!!! You sure are a sucker for punishment, aren't you! ??? :) Seriously, inside-out is not all that hard to do. Its just harder than a normal "right way out" wall. It certain is DIY territory, but you might need an extra few pairs of hands at critical stages, such as lifting a wall that weighs a few hundred kilograms from horizontal to vertical, and setting it in place... So you shouldn't need to sell the other Harley to do it! In fact, maybe you can use the Harley to help lift the walls unto place. It sure has enough power to do that! Inside-out requires careful planning, since you don't have access to the drywall side of the wall once it is up, so if you forgot to do something, like seal or tape or mud or whatever, then the only option is to lie the wall down again and fix it. You also have to consider your construction sequence carefully, to make sure that you will have access to all the places you need to get to at each stage. So that you don't "paint yourself into a corner", so to speak, such as needing to get to some place to caulk it, nail it, bolt it, frame it, clean it, or whatever, and then finding out that the place you need to get to is on the other side of your inside-out wall. That's where I am right now: planning my construction sequence, and modifying my design every now and then, so that it actually is possible to build it. I'm having trouble figuring out the ceiling construction sequence at present, since I'm also doing an inside-out ceiling, but the plan is coming together slowly. In other words, you need to plan it very carefully, and think it through, before you ever buy a single stud or nail.

I'd give ya a lot more for the info you've shared, so far. At least a buck!

Ahhh, The last of the big spenders! :) Thanks for the compliment, but please don't ever trust my advice too much, as I'm not an expert! I've just been intensely studying and researching and reading and learning about this whole acoustics and studio build thing for a while, but I'm nowhere near up to speed on it yet. I can maybe waffle on about the basics for a bit (I'm good at waffling, like Ro said! Maybe you noticed?), but when the tough questions come up, I'm not the guy to talk to about that. Listen to the real experts around here, especially if they tell you to not to do something that I suggested!

I'd have to build dampening panels about 5' x 5' x (adjusted + or - for whatever thickness) and then just hoist them into place, so they could be attached to the walls inside the skylight. Plus, it'd look really cool...

That should work. My guess would be maybe four inches thick should do it. Stuff them full of 703, rockwool, fiberglass, or some such, and put an acoustic cloth cover. Illuminate to taste. (Neon, strobe, laser, LED, whatever.)

It's like a foamed coffin in there. I suspect that you're right, and my prob will be adding "live surfaces" to brighten things up.

I'm thinking that you'll probably be best leaving your floor as plain concrete, if it is in good shape, or maybe glue laminate flooring on top. A live floor is a good thing. Have you done any acoustic tests in there yet? It might be an idea to do a basic analysis before you get too far ahead, just to see where there might be potential issues. - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

Sheesh, everybody's a smart-ass... :lol: No more containers, PLEASE! I'm cryin' "UNCLE!" :cry:

Sorry 'bout that! I couldn't help it: I just couldn't contain myself there.... :) OOOPS! OK, I'll shut up now....

Please, before we lose containment on this issue... :)

One suggestion: Don't try to do "double doors" in each leaf in order to get a really wide door. In other words, don't do two doors hinged on opposite sides that meet in the middle. Those are really hard to seal acoustically. Instead, think of a single large door in each leaf. Maybe make it a sliding door, if it would be too big to hang on hinges. But however you do it, make it massive, heavy, and well sealed. "Mass" and "airtight" are two of your new best friends!

Man, it's like you're in my head or something. Have you been talking to my therapist? :lol: I'd already decided to do (2) doors, one on each side of the airlock, about 6 feet across, out of heavy wood. Think "carved" Moorish Architecture... you know, like a castle door...

(The Boston guys would hate it, I airbrushed "flames" onto it...)

Sacrilege! You better hope they never find out! :)

I sent them a pic, they sent me some kind of form letter that smelled like litigation. I gave it to my lawyer... :lol:

I'd say "neurotic" is putting it politely! The more you talk, the more this sounds like an "end-of-the-world" type survival bunker, designed to survive pretty much anything short of a direct nuclear strike!

It's a rather unusual place. I suspect it's why none of the relatives wanted it. And, apparently no one else, because when I inquired about it, they did everything but offer me their daughter...

From what you say, I think Brien ("xSpace") has the right idea: Acoustic absorption panels on the shaft walls, to damp resonance in there, and then maybe thick laminate glass directly underneath each shaft, built into your inner-leaf ceiling, to keep the light.

It's a thought. They are kinda necessary, from a lighting standpoint.

Since those skylights would then be part of your outer leaf, you'd have to close them permanently, remove the opening mechanism (or at least, disconnect the power), and seal them all around, airtight.

I'd thought about possibly installing a fixed glass panel at the base of the opening (in the inner leaf), and sealing the "tops."

Seriously, inside-out is not all that hard to do. Its just harder than a normal "right way out" wall...

If I have a good set of plans, I can build it. And, getting some help shouldn't be that difficult. Most of the people I know will do anything for cold beer! :lol: And I understand that everything has to get sealed, until I have silicone running in my veins... though I prefer it in my wife's... um...er... never mind... :shock:

In other words, you need to plan it very carefully, and think it through, before you ever buy a single stud or nail.

Buy stuff? Oh no... I'm gonna recycle! :) Seriously, I bet I'll be buying enough 703 to build a small fortress...

I'd have to build dampening panels about 5' x 5' x (adjusted + or - for whatever thickness) and then just hoist them into place, so they could be attached to the walls inside the skylight. Plus, it'd look really cool...

That should work. My guess would be maybe four inches thick should do it. Stuff them full of 703, rockwool, fiberglass, or some such, and put an acoustic cloth cover. Illuminate to taste. (Neon, strobe, laser, LED, whatever.)

I figured about 4-5 inches of 703 with cloth covers. Maybe I'll have my wife tie-dye them! You know, an homage to Jerry... :wink:

I'm thinking that you'll probably be best leaving your floor as plain concrete, if it is in good shape, or maybe glue laminate flooring on top. A live floor is a good thing.

I was waiting for somebody to tell me to build a floating floor... The concrete is in real good shape, as it's been covered with rubber tiles since day one. I wonder if hardwood would work? It'd look cool, and "feel good."

Have you done any acoustic tests in there yet? It might be an idea to do a basic analysis before you get too far ahead, just to see where there might be potential issues.

Not yet. I've ordered a Sound Meter. And, all I really know at this point is that the room has an STC of 85+... Lexx

I was waiting for somebody to tell me to build a floating floor...

:lol: Ain't gonna happen in this forum! If someone tells you that you need to float a floor in that room, then he needs to be floated himself. Down the river. Without a boat.

The concrete is in real good shape, as it's been covered with rubber tiles since day one. I wonder if hardwood would work? It'd look cool, and "feel good."

Hardwood would be great too. Much more work, of course, but it could look really good if done nicely, and it would be excellent acoustically, too. It sounds like your plan is starting to come together! All you need now is your SketchUp model of the empty space, and some PICTURES of it, so we can get a better idea of what to do next in designing it. Any ideas in mind of the rough layout? - Stuart -

Stained concrete or hard wood, I don't think the ears can tell the difference. The "eyes" might fool the ears ;)

Soundman2020 wrote:

It sounds like your plan is starting to come together! All you need now is your SketchUp model of the empty space, and some PICTURES of it, so we can get a better idea of what to do next in designing it. Any ideas in mind of the rough layout?

It was getting the layout roughed out that brought me here in the first place. And I'm not a step closer... I suppose I'm looking at it all wrong. I thought that once I had some idea of how to "lay it out," I'd worry about how to "build" it. :lol: I used to get accused of telling someone how to build a "nuclear clock" when all they wanted was the time of day... :lol: I feel like I'm on the Yellow Brick road to OZ... Lexx

xSpace wrote:

Stained concrete or hard wood, I don't think the ears can tell the difference. The "eyes" might fool the ears ;)

Well, I always hated laminated floors! If I'm gonna spend a lot of money to build a box that my wife will make me live in for the rest of my days, I might as well have a nice floor to pace on... eh?

I used to get accused of telling someone how to build a "nuclear clock" when all they wanted was the time of day...

Used to? You mean there's another way of telling time? :)

I feel like I'm on the Yellow Brick road to OZ...

Wait your turn and get in line! Take a number! There's lots of us on that very same journey, and you don't get to jump the line!!!! :) That's how you get started building a studio: A trip to Oz is the compulsory first step, right after you manage to prove to prove that you are legally insane. And like you'll see in the signature of a well-known poster, you should ignore the man behind the curtain.... Seriously, this whole thing is an adventure. It took me a ages to jump in on the forum, and ages more to actually get to a point where I think my design stands a real chance of working. Initially, it seemed like every step I took was dumb, every idea I came up with turned out to be anti-acoustic, and I seemed to be getting dumber as the days went by, as less and less made sense. But hang in there! Eventually you get to the point where the light comes on, and things start falling in place all of a sudden. Any luck with SketchUp for doing your first model of just the empty shell and a basic idea of layout? If you post that, I'll bet some of the folks here would love to climb in with suggested layouts for you. (I'll be one of them.) - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

I used to get accused of telling someone how to build a "nuclear clock" when all they wanted was the time of day...

Used to? You mean there's another way of telling time? :)

Yep. Digital display on yer cell phone. 8)

I feel like I'm on the Yellow Brick road to OZ...

Wait your turn and get in line! Take a number! There's lots of us on that very same journey, and you don't get to jump the line!!!! :) That's how you get started building a studio: A trip to Oz is the compulsory first step, right after you manage to prove to prove that you are legally insane. And like you'll see in the signature of a well-known poster, you should ignore the man behind the curtain....

Whaaaaa? Hey, time waits for no man, especially not one with a prostate the shape of mine! And, I'm a "line jumper" from way back! :) I'm all outta passport pages, I ain't getting no more shots, and my therapist has already certified that I'm... um... er... never mind. And that guy behind the curtain looks suspiciously like Paul Ruebens.

Seriously, this whole thing is an adventure. It took me a ages to jump in on the forum, and ages more to actually get to a point where I think my design stands a real chance of working. Initially, it seemed like every step I took was dumb, every idea I came up with turned out to be anti-acoustic, and I seemed to be getting dumber as the days went by, as less and less made sense. But hang in there! Eventually you get to the point where the light comes on, and things start falling in place all of a sudden.[\quote] Let's just say I'm "motivated." If I was still 20 (hell, if I still had "hair,") I'd be laid back. But I'm older now, and Death is knockin at the door. So, I've got a "road to hoe, and old boots..." I appreciate all the detail... and I'm hungry for more... before all the money goes to Jimmy Choo... Yikes! :P

Any luck with SketchUp for doing your first model of just the empty shell and a basic idea of layout? If you post that, I'll bet some of the folks here would love to climb in with suggested layouts for you. (I'll be one of them.)

I'm workin on it, Stuart... :lol: The reason I came here was to get an idea of "the basic layout!" I walk in there and all I can see is a big box! :roll:

Maybe a resubmission of what you want from this room is in order as it relates to rooms, instruments and control area. Something a little more accessible.

xSpace wrote:

Maybe a resubmission of what you want from this room is in order as it relates to rooms, instruments and control area. Something a little more accessible.

Gee... I'm sorry, I was a little bit wordy, but I didn't mean to be vague... It's all so new to me... :o I guess what I really need first is an idea of how much space each room takes, so that I know what I have to work with. This would allow me to tweak the design, and even eliminate stuff that (a) overlaps) and be, is just non-essential. From the responses I've already gotten, it's clear that there are guys here who can teach you how to build a great quality project. But I think for me, it's a "cart ahead of the horse" thing. I need to figure out if what I'm trying to do is even possible, when balanced against the limitations of the room. I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless! So, I thought I'd try to get help defining a basic layout, in the space available. Then, I'd worry about how to actually build it. I'm not trying to be "ungrateful." I'm trying to be practical, and use reason, and a developed sense of comfort, to assist in building my box. I hope that's understood. I didn't come here to throw rocks, or start squabbles. I outgrew that kind of activity with puberty... sorta! :lol: I've already learned that I have plenty of Isolation. And, that the piano belongs in the main tracking space. And, I've decided that the producers can sit on folding lawn chairs, scattered willy-nilly around the control room. If they don't like it, they can fish for donuts elsewhere! :o It's all about "space," baby! And I gotta fill that space between my ears, if I'm gonna get this done! Thanks for your help, sincerely. Lexx

I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless!

I know that feeling well. I've had it ever since MY first post on this forum. Except that you actually DO have a decent sized space. If yours is a lifeboat, mine is a half of a life vest. I'm trying to squeeze both a control room and a live room into a single-car garage, that measures barely 6 meters by 3. Well, maybe "rooms" is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe I should say I'm trying to fit a control shoebox and a live matchbox into the space.... So far, in my case, I'm getting the impression that it actually is doable, albeit with limitations, but ones I can live with. So, if I can do that in a single-car garage, then I reckon you can do what you aim to do in your nuclear bunker! So I wouldn't be too concerned about whether it is possible to do what you want or not: the answer is "yes". It can be done. And just to cheer you up and put you in the right frame of mind, take a look at these two builds: I'm sure you'll feel entirely identified! :) http://www.johnlsayers.com/Studio/Pages/Container.htm http://johnlsayers.com/Pages/Spark_1.htm viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4168&hilit=studio+in+container viewtopic.php?t=4025 It CAN be done! :yahoo: - Stuart -

Reality time! I did some basic SketchUp models for ya: - Stuart -

So do you have space? You bet! I think you have plenty enough space to do what you want. Reality check = over. Result = success! - Stuart -

Finally, a close up view of the drums and piano, for your viewing pleasure... If those guys will fit so easily, then yeah, you have the space. You just need to figure out how to use it to the best effect. I'm sure folks here can help you with that, if you give them a rough starting point. - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless!

I know that feeling well. I've had it ever since MY first post on this forum. Except that you actually DO have a decent sized space. If yours is a lifeboat, mine is a half of a life vest. I'm trying to squeeze both a control room and a live room into a single-car garage, that measures barely 6 meters by 3. Well, maybe "rooms" is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe I should say I'm trying to fit a control shoebox and a live matchbox into the space.... So far, in my case, I'm getting the impression that it actually is doable, albeit with limitations, but ones I can live with.

It's funny, everybody has a decent read on this one. I get "those skylights will kill you." Or, "there isn't enough height." Or "you can't build more than two rooms." And although all that information overload can get confusing, it actually helps me to see how other people look at my situation, because it forces me to pay attention, and learn everything I can. That's almost more important to me than the actual build, The knowledge I gain will serve me well, if I am diligent. And, I'll owe much of it to you guys.

So, if I can do that in a single-car garage, then I reckon you can do what you aim to do in your nuclear bunker!

I suspect the only fallout around here will be the rest of my hair! :o

So I wouldn't be too concerned about whether it is possible to do what you want or not: the answer is "yes". It can be done.

And one of the biggest questions I had to answer was; "Should it be?" I must admit, I really want this.

And just to cheer you up and put you in the right frame of mind, take a look at these two builds: I'm sure you'll feel entirely identified! :)

The funny thing is that I actually know Mark, and I'm actually trying to help him get that studio sold, so he can build another! That box that he and John built is a marvelous thing! Everybody should have one of those in his backyard! :yahoo: He's asking $35,000 AUS... That's about $23,000 and change to us Yanks! :shot:

Soundman2020 wrote:

So do you have space? You bet! I think you have plenty enough space to do what you want. Reality check = over. Result = success!

Ah Geez... you shouldn't have... SketchUp has been giving me fits. And at my age, that's not a good thing. It confuses the doctors! :lol: I can hear it now; "Was it a drug overdose?" A Sex Injury? Old damned age?" "Nope. SketchUp. He kept mumbling "SketchUp" over and over again, and then he just clutched his chest and keeled over! WTF is "SketchUp?" Is that what they're calling it nowadays? I remember when they just called it "crank."" Seriously, thanks for the effort. I'm humbled that you'd take time out to do that. Hell, I might just armtwist you for the files, so I can see how you did it. I hate this learnin stuff... It makes my head hurt! :)

Soundman2020 wrote:

Reality time! I did some basic SketchUp models for ya: - Stuart -

I don't mean to be picky, but I'm wayyyy rounder than that. And my head is shaved. My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in! :lol: Thank you for doing those. It does help when you can visualize the problems... I suppose I'll stay with SketchUp. But if I have a stroke, it's on YOUR head... :D

Aw shucks!!! :oops: Say, it was no big deal! It took me maybe half an hour or so to do that. It's easy when you know how! :) Here's the file, if you are interested: http://www.digistar.cl/images/Harley-Cave.skp PS. The secret is that there is a huge on-line library of "stuff" that you can download and use in your model.... I didn't build the piano and the drums myself! I just downloaded them on-line.... Now I gave away my secret! - Stuart - PPS: "My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in!" Just tell her that's the way you USED to look, before married life came along.... :)

Soundman2020 wrote:

Aw shucks!!! ... Now I gave away my secret! PPS: "My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in!" Just tell her that's the way you USED to look, before married life came along.... :)

Man, SketchUp has a learning curve! Ouch! I'm still struggling with it. I've been giving the "space" some thought, and I thought it'd be a good idea to do a "digital pencil sketch" of what I see in my head (because SketchUp is killing me!). Okay, it's not exactly to scale, but it'll give on-lookers an idea of what I was "trying " to create. Now, I already realize that the beast that gets born may look remarkably different, but here's what I was kinda hoping for... Remember, I'm thinking 'family' and not 'corporate.' I'm thinking 'arts and crafty' (not Jed Clampett!) not 'high dollar esoteric' (not SONY Billion Dollar Studios). I'm thinking I do a lot of the construction myself, with the help of "friends." Yeah right, like I actually have friends... Mention beer or Scotch, I have loads. Mention hammers and saws, I have a ghosttown... LOL! Anyway, I'm talking to a LOT of industry people trying to get some semblance of a start. Man, this gets complicated fast! Any suggestions would be welcome, unless they're anatomically impossible. Lexx

Cool! We have a basic plan! Comments: 1. You have DOUBLE DOORS for you main entrance! Those will be REALLY hard to seal where they meet in the middle. You need two sets of doors, sure, but not double doors. 2. Your main doors are a long way from your CR. You have to walk through the LR to get to all the other rooms. 3. Everyone has to walk through the CR to get to the bathroom! DO you really want a bathroom right in your CR? :) 4. You have glass at your first reflection points in your CR, on both sides. Suggestions: 1. Slide your "equip room" and "vocal booth" rearwards, into the spaces currently labeled "bathroom" ahd "shop". This will mean that the glass doors into these rooms will have moved back, out of the first reflection points. 2. Make the "gap" that just opened up in front of the vocal booth into your main entrance, with a three-way sound lock, with entrances into the vocal booth and the live room. That places your main entrance more or less in the middle, and gives you two paths. Also put the bathroom in this area, maybe in between the soundlock and the live room. So the sound leock will be a sort of lobby, with acces to the bathroom / kitchen, the live room, and the vocal booth. 3. In the gap that opened up in front of the "equip room", but the "shop". It makes more sense to have it next to the equipment anyway. You could also have another door form the shop directly into the live room, to give you an extra path there too. More comments: 5. Your CR seems to be rather squareish. What are the dimensions? And your mix position seems to be more or less in the middle of the room. Not good. IT should be around 38% of the distance between the front wall and the rear wall. That should get you started! - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

Cool! We have a basic plan! 1. You have DOUBLE DOORS for you main entrance! Those will be REALLY hard to seal where they meet in the middle. You need two sets of doors, sure, but not double doors.

You're absolutely right. I've given thought to that, as we've talked before. This sketch started before that conversation, and I forgot to change it. Senility is a terrible disease! :lol: Here's what scared me... those doors have to open IN. So the size of the door defines the "air lock space." In this pass, I was just trying to squeeze everything in! A rough beginning, but a beginning, none the less. And if I didn't make mistakes, you couldn't laugh at me, huh? :)

2. Your main doors are a long way from your CR. You have to walk through the LR to get to all the other rooms.

My thinking was that because it was a "family studio" I'd be okay. Minimal traffic.

3. Everyone has to walk through the CR to get to the bathroom! DO you really want a bathroom right in your CR? :)

I guess that you're right. But I gotta have a bathroom. I don't want people goin into the house, or peein in the bushes... And no matter where I put it, it's gonna be "off" the CR. The place is a big hole!

4. You have glass at your first reflection points in your CR, on both sides.

Yeah, I was thinking it was essential to keep the booth and possibly even the EQ RM in the sightline. But maybe not, huh? And, I drew in sliding glass, because if was fast and dirty. I could fab doors instead, and add a viewport to the booth. Do I even need a viewport? I'm thinking yes, to combat claustrophobia. Or, I could put in windows to the outside world... That'd bring in light, and give yokels something to look at, while they record... I see how that gives me a good airlock entry, but I'm still puzzled by the bathroom situation. And the "shop" ends up in the opening created on the other side? Are there noise issues, or frequency shielding issues created by high speed tools in the shop? If not, can I just put a door into the shop, from the equipment room?

Suggestions:

I've redrawn the sketch, to reflect your advised changes. I APPRECIATE your input.

3. In the gap that opened up in front of the "equip room", but the "shop". It makes more sense to have it next to the equipment anyway. You could also have another door form the shop directly into the live room, to give you an extra path there too.

Since I'm going "family style" (Go, Stevie!) and not "Suit," my thoughts were to minimize openings, to minimize construction costs. All that stuff on the wall is gonna get expensive, not to mention the HVAC, the electrical, and the bean bags I'll be forced to resort to, 'cuz I ran outta money! :D

5. Your CR seems to be rather squareish. What are the dimensions? And your mix position seems to be more or less in the middle of the room. Not good. IT should be around 38% of the distance between the front wall and the rear wall.

I figured that you'd bust me on that. I figure the CR is about 400 sq feet. (20'ish x 20'ish) I thought as we moved along, and you handed me my ass... it'd get pulled into a "rectangle" that was acceptable. This makes the booth about 8' x 8', and the Equipment room a little bit larger, with the attached "shop." As we pull the CR walls, the console will "move," and the "mix position" will reflect that. Okay, 'lemme have it... Lexx

Hey, Lexx! Just wondering if there is any advance on the "strangest studio build ever"? - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

Hey, Lexx! Just wondering if there is any advance on the "strangest studio build ever"?

It's not "strange." It's "odd." :o I've been giggin, so I'm just hitting airplanes and wishing for fast cars... :P Where to start... We're moving the studio to another set of warehouses I have (similar in construction, in fact, identical) and connecting them via an "annex." This will give me about 3,100 square feet to build into, if you count the small office "shack" that we'll also incorporate into the annex. We're cutting the skylights out of one of the warehouses, to increase the "air space" in the live room, and CR. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, and it will make the Man Cave feel like a cathedral. I've sold the 900+ (24 channel), and I'm buying a 9000j (48 channel) board. Same money. VERY reputable source. Plus, I get a warranty and assistance in commissioning the beast. I've been given several pieces of equipment in the last few days, to help the build, from old friends in the biz... I've raised some more capital, by selling off some timber on my property, and using my ingenuity to extort money out of my pals... :D So, all in all, we're moving right along. It won't happen overnight (in fact, it won't be finished until early next year) but... We're moving as fast as we can. Oh yeah, and I'm working with a great designer, who lives where I live "metaphorically speaking..." That's a plus. An expensive plus, but a plus, none the less... (Actually, it's not that expensive. He'll save me "his fees" on construction materials alone.) And I've established a blog to chronicle both the build process and the new digs, when finished.

i hope you keep us updated on your build... i would love to see pics of the space you have to work with. happy building! ~LEE~

A man cave audio? Hmmm,,, Are you sure about it? I don't really even know what it is but something was wrong. [SPAM SIGNATURE REMOVED BY MODERTOR]