Opinions wanted regarding Guitar Amp Locker

This is part of a full (commercial) studio build in Brooklyn, NY. In one corner of our live room, there will be an “amp locker” for guitar and bass amp cabinets. The longest dimension (as shown) is 6’ (1.8m). The other dimensions are slightly variable, the left wall will probably be around 4’ (1.2m). The ceiling could be 10’ or we could drop it down some. One idea was a 2-3’ drop ceiling stuffed with soft fiberglass. My initial plan was to divide the entire space in half with a sturdy, “2nd floor” at around 3-1/2’ (1m). This way we could have one cabinet on top and one below with some amount of physical separation. I am now rethinking this design to leave the space open but install some wooden railing in one half, which could be used with some sturdy wooden planks as a shelf upon which to place a second cabinet/combo amp. Obviously this design substantially cuts down on separation between the two cabinets (when we do have two in there), but as I really don’t see using much in the way of ambient mic’s, I don’t see that being a huge issue. So I’ve got three questions for which I’m seeking opinions on here,

1) What do you think about this “shelf” system, verses completely dividing the space? 2) Is there any point at all in leaving some reflective surfaces (or even diffusion) in this room? My plan was to cover everything but the floor in 2 - 4” rigid fiberglass. Would you attempt any bass trapping in such a small space? 3) The dimensions of this space are not set in stone. We could make it a bit bigger. I don’t see much use it that however. Would there be any reason to go slightly larger (or smaller) here? I guess I’m thinking in terms of acoustics.

re-amp. since the cabinets are in the closet anyways, have the recordings done via the effects into the headphones of the players, capture a clean input as well. then once you have the takes, re-amp the clean recording out through the effects and cabinets one at a time in the live room. even without ambient mics, having the cabinets in a closet really don't do justice and since they're in the closet and therefore not being used (really) during the recording, you can either play the effect track back through them or per my initial recommendation the clean track back through the effects. this allows you to cut any hum before sending it through, the cabinet will respond better in a bigger room, set up etc will be easier etc. if you need the amp sound, then a DI unit handling the power output and/or a power soak device will let you drive the amp to the right levels and output it to the board and back into the headphones. then re-amp through the cabinets later. i think the shelves with the planks is bound to vibrate just when you don't want them to and two small closets just are too small. my 2¢.

Thanks, you're pretty much describing my normal way of working (the re-amping, etc., although I don't usually get into using power soaks). I did foresee vibration issues with the planks and realize that, if we go that way, we'll have to address it somehow in their construction. What about diffusion or some reflection in that small space, any opinion or experience with that?

I doubt that diffusion in such a tiny space would be viable. Diffusers need space around them: they aren't even recommended for most home studios due to the small size of the rooms, and those rooms are very much larger than your amp closet. There really isn't much at all that you can do to make a tiny space sound good. Simple physics and the dimensions of sound waves impose absolute limits on what works and what doesn't. - Stuart -

if you make solid (but decoupled) shelves and maybe stacked the opposing wall and ceiling with absorption you could trick the closet into behaving better for close mic work.

I don't know if you've seen any of the "Art & Science of Sound Recording" videos from Alan Parsons, but on the recording guitars video he interviews John Shanks (about 14 minutes in) and he shows a special room with a bank of shelves in his studio with a large assortment of amps. The shelves look pretty sturdy but not massive, I think they might be metal (possibly cast). Also there is quite a bit of sound insulation behind and above. The microphone stands are also affixed to the shelves. Check it out.

BriHar wrote:

I don't know if you've seen any of the "Art & Science of Sound Recording" videos from Alan Parsons, but on the recording guitars video he interviews John Shanks (about 14 minutes in) and he shows a special room with a bank of shelves in his studio with a large assortment of amps. The shelves look pretty sturdy but not massive, I think they might be metal (possibly cast). Also there is quite a bit of sound insulation behind and above. The microphone stands are also affixed to the shelves. Check it out.

I have been trying to find a pic of this - could you post a screen grab? - thanks