Troublesome Control Room

Hello all. I've been trying to figure out a problem and I could really use some input. I'm moving into a new office and need to try and configure a room into a decent mix room without massive construction. The real problem I'm having is that one of the walls of the space is glass from floor to ceiling. It's mostly windows but has a couple of doors out to a patio. The corners of this wall can be treated with bass traps (Auralex LENRD type) but other than heavy curtains or couches or methods that don't involve covering the windows up with walls...I'm kinda stuck with the glass wall. I can get great floor to ceiling type baffles to use as pseudo walls if that will be helpful to break up the parallels (illustrated by the black rectangular bars around the console in version001). The top and bottom wall (in relation to my sketches below) are brick and the left wall has yet to be built...but will be a nice heavy wall to keep some of the sound out of the rest of the space to the left of the studio. I don't have neighbor concerns. Here's a few layout thoughts I've had but I'd appreciate any ideas anyone could share. The large corner traps can be built in any corner that doesn't involve the glass wall (which is the right wall on my drawings). Thanks a lot! Greg

The real problem I'm having is that one of the walls of the space is glass from floor to ceiling.

Eeek. That's a tough situation. Do you need access to those doors and windows? I'd think that the least damaging position for your mixing desk would be to have it facing the windows. Having the entire back wall reflective would be rough on you, and having either side that much more reflective would probably hurt your stereo imaging... If you're not worried about sound isolation too much, you can let all the low freq stuff just go right out thru those windows, and use the rest of the world as a bass trap. Not much high freq goes out the back of the speakers, so you don't have to worry too much about comb filtering... Besides, this way you get those windows to look out while you work. How's the view? If you can use the ceiling-to-wall corners for bass trapping, you'll get the biggest benefit there. Auralex will be happy to sell you units for those corners too. Good luck! Kase www.minemusic.net

Thanks for the input Kase! The view's o.k.....it's a NYC backyard/courtyard..but at least the sun comes in the window! It makes sense to face the window. Waddaya think about using large baffles to break up the room's paralels? I can even stick a few in front of the glass to try and tame the reflections a bit. There is a door on the left side of the glass wall (as you face it) but the desk could go on that wall...basically a mirror image of drawing 3. I can put the door in the center of the rear wall to take advantage of the rear corners for bass trapping. Should work o.k. I guess? Greg

Greg, The third drawing is the best arrangement. And as Kase said you can treat the wall/ceiling corners and get good results. There are also portable bass traps you can get and put on mike stands, to place in the corners while mixing. > Waddaya think about using large baffles to break up the room's paralels? < I don't think that's necessary. A few absorber panels in key places on the walls and ceiling will do a fine job controlling echo, ambience, and early reflections. --Ethan

O.K...after some arm twisting and hand wringing...I think I've managed to convince the powers that be to do a little construction to make this room as good as we can without doing any major construction. So I'm thinking of something like this. We'll make the back wall very absorbent w/ the couch and absorbent material. Any glaring problems I'm overlooking? Would heavy curtains help with the glass wall or should I just let it be reflective? Damn that glass wall!

I'm confused -- theres a CR window now, and the door keeps changing posiition? Maybe if you showed the big picture -- and exactly where the glass is:) Maybe its me - hehe. Best, Dave

Sorry for the confusion! The door keeps moving because it's not built yet. Right now...there's just the end of a long room with a glass wall. It's still a semi raw space so I can put the door wherever it makes the most sense. I don't include the rest of the room in the drawing because it's of secondary importance...it's just going to be whatever space is left over after deciding on a control room scheme. I'm trying to make reccomendations as to the best way to finish the space as a workable control room without breaking the already broken bank! Here's the space as it stands now. Greg

Hey Kax, Ok starting to make sense. I feel for the budget constraints. But we also have to know how much work you plan to do yourself? Do you build, have tools etc? Looks like you have lots of nice space there. So do you own it, is it temporary etc? No point in designing a plan if it can't happen -- not that the intellectual pursuit is not worthwhile -- I would rather prefer that any suggestions I might have would really help you:) What is the opening on the left? Can you give us an overview of what you want and what you have for those like myself that need it spelled out? I'll look at it some more, and help as I can. This stuff evolves. Best, Dave

Greg - those sliding doors aren't going to give you much STC so I'd avoid them by building a room isolated from them like this. cheers john