Basement studio design help

I didn't get much help on my first solicitation for advise, so I'm updating my basement layout with my actual plans for the studio, and attaching a pic of the basement as it is now. Hi Guys, I'm ready to start construction on my home studio, this site is amazing and I've gathered a wealth of information but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I have a very small budget, as this studio is truly for recording myself and some friends. I had a home studio at my last home, and recorded a CD, over a year, and loved it, then my son was born, and if you have kids, then you know how things go. Anyway the boys seven and I ready to dive in again. I know with my budget of around 1K, I know I'm not going to get isolation and perfect acoustics, I just want to do the best I can, and not make any bad decisions. I have already sourced 4- 24"x65" exterior windows from the RESTORE, and plan on getting doors, fixtures etc also used. I'm willing to work, and take my time to get it right. I live in the country, so neighbors and outside noise is not an issue, I just want a reasonable amount of isolation for mixing, but understand my financial limitations, I will be recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar and bass, as well as the occasional drums. Hard rock is my thing, with a dash of acoustic ballady stuff. Basically, I'm looking for ideas before I jump right in. I live north of Toronto, these are my measurements, and I'm uploading an attempt at a sketchup file, the grey wall doesn't exist but represents where a wall to enclose the studio will go. Control room is 13' 8" X 11' 7" X 90.5" Live room is 13' 8" X 11' 8" X 90.5" between rooms is a supporting wall made from 2X6 faced with plywood on LR side. Live room has HVAC duct running along seperating wall hanging down 11.5" and out 21", Another duct runs across the front over the window, of both rooms hanging down 8.5" and 14.5" out from the wall, dropping registers midway through rooms. I have access to the cold air return at the far side of the control room back wall. Ceiling joices run through the two rooms with nothing blocking the passage of air, so I will have to fill it with insulation plus drywall(I assume). I have a wooden foundation(no concrete) 2x8 on gravel topped with drywall with all exterior walls 2x6 framed with pink insulation covered with vapor barrier. I hope I have provided enough info, Thanks, in advance, Chris.

Hi guy, got a question. "I have a wooden foundation(no concrete) 2x8 on gravel " What does that mean? You have a basement with no basement floor of the typically expected concrete kind? Was it dirt and then you installed gravel?

the foundation is dug down about 10 feet, with a six foot gravel bed, vapour barrier, 2x8 joices topped with plywood. Unusal I know. Chris.

6" gravel bed?

gullfo wrote:

6" gravel bed?

No 6 feet aparently, toavoid water issues. Chris.

So someone suggested to dig down below the existing footer? If, and this is a big if because I first do not know your actually environment but second have a better than average understanding of the principals involved this was completed by someone local and authorized, then they have it incorrect. First thing is you do not disturb the interior of a concrete foundation in a manner that allows the load to place undue stress, E.G the earth is removed from around the footer allowing pressure from the load and the outside to be exerted in unacceptable ways. But if this was not the case, good. But the placement of a class one vapor retarder which qualifies as a vapor barrier, poly, is placed in direct contact with the ground and directly underneath the concrete. But since no concrete is used, the poly should still be placed in direct contact with the earth since this is where you are actually trying to protect the upper area from capillary action of the water at and below grade. To protect the poly, sand of about 4 inches would be poured on top of the poly and then the gravel. It sounds suspect to me, you have any actual pictures of this process and the stage where you are at currently?

Brien, I may not have been clear enough in my posts,but I moved in the house three years ago, it however was built thirty years prior. Also the actual construction process is mostly hearsy from my neighbour, so take it with a grain of salt. Thaks,Chris.

Thanks, I still love me some pix :)

I didn't get much help on my first solicitation for advise, so I'm updating my basement layout with my actual plans for the studio, and attaching a pic of the basement as it is now.(edited original post) Chris.

katokat wrote:

I didn't get much help on my first solicitation for advise, so I'm updating my basement layout with my actual plans for the studio, and attaching a pic of the basement as it is now.(edited original post) Chris.

You should spend a few days reading this: http://johnlsayers.com/Recmanual/index.htm