400 SF New Construction CR and Live Room Design Help Needed

Hi everyone, I am in the process of designing a studio for a DJ who plays electronic dance music. The space is a new construction project in the basement of a window factory warehouse. Currently, the shell of the space has been put up so we're at the point where we can begin the tenant construction. The north wall in the plan is a masonry wall that sits on top of a stone foundation wall. The masonry wall is a thinner dimension than the stone wall, you can see this in the attached picture. The windows, unfortunately, are double hung, double glazed windows. The remaining 3 walls are a 2" x 4" stud, 16" o. c. frame with a layer of sheathing on the exterior leaf. The floor is a concrete slab, the columns are 10" sq. wood, and the structural deck above consists are 11" sq. wood beams with a wood deck. There is an existing 5" diameter sewage pipe, indicated on the plans, as well that cannot be relocated/removed. The overall dimensions are 27'-8" l x 14'-11 1/2" w x 7'-10" h (to the bottom of the beams). The program calls for a Control Room and a Live Room. Ben, the DJ, also wants to bring in a set of speakers into the CR to sample his music after mixing it. I do not have much experience with recording studio design and have actually taken on this project as a way to learn more about the process. So my questions are in regards to how to best design this studio given a budget of approximately $1500. I imagine the construction will be in phases for this studio beginning with the bare bones then working from there. Particularly my questions so far are: 1. What is your advice on how to layout the CR and Live Room in the space? 2. What wall type construction could I use? 3. Ben likes the aesthetic of the north wall and wants to try and keep the industrial vibe of the space. How can I design the north wall to keep its aesthetic but have sound insulation? I hope I included enough information. Let me know if I should include anything else. Thank you all for the help, it's very much appreciated! -Adrian

Hi Adrian, and Welcome! :)

Currently, the shell of the space has been put up so we're at the point where we can begin the tenant construction.

By "shell", do you mean the stud-and-OSB walls visible in the photos?

The windows, unfortunately, are double hung, double glazed windows.

Can they be replaced with single fixed panes of laminated glass?

and the structural deck above consists are 11" sq. wood beams with a wood deck.

What is above that, and how is that deck built?

The program calls for a Control Room and a Live Room. Ben, the DJ, also wants to bring in a set of speakers into the CR to sample his music after mixing it.

So this is not just a DJ mix studio, but also a full recording studio? What types of instruments will be recorded in the LR? What style(s) of music (genre).

So my questions are in regards to how to best design this studio given a budget of approximately $1500.

I assume that you mean US$ 1,500 for the design (paying the architect to draw up plans for approval), not for the actual build? You have a space of about 420 square feet. Three dollars and fifty seven cents per square foot already sounds way low for what an architect will cost you. So how much is the budget for the actual build? If you are not sure, call a couple of local contractors in your area and ask for their basic rate per square foot for converting an unfinished basement into a small upscale apartment. That will give you an idea of the real costs involved in doing this.

1. What is your advice on how to layout the CR and Live Room in the space?

Standard answer: "That depends".... :) Seriously, you haven't provided enough information on which to base a rough layout: Firstly, you did not say how much isolation you need, so it's impossible to say what needs to be done to isolate ("soundproof") the room sufficiently. There are two basic questions here: 1) How loud are you? 2) How quiet do you need to be?

2. What wall type construction could I use?

Once again, that depends on what you are trying to do, and the acoustic situation around you! If you are just going to be mixing DJ albums in there at standard levels, no live recording, or just vocals, that's one thing. But if you are going to be recording extreme heavy metal bands in there, and there's a nursery for newborn babies on the floor above you, well that's a bit different! :shock: So once again, we need more info on what you plan to do there, whether this is a commercial facility or just a hobby facility, what else is around you in that building, and outside it, etc. Also, what takes priority here: The CR or the LR? Is the LR just a vocal booth / iso booth sort of thing, or do you want to put a symphony orchestra in there? Is the idea of this studio to produce finished albums, or just to practice and cut a few demo tracks every now and then? Lots of questions...

3. Ben likes the aesthetic of the north wall and wants to try and keep the industrial vibe of the space. How can I design the north wall to keep its aesthetic but have sound insulation?

Short answer? You can't. Or maybe you can, depending on what you mean by "sound insulation". If you are talking about something similar to Scenario #1 above, then you might be able to keep part of that wall. But if you are talking more like Scenario #2 above, then it's out of the question. Some other things I don't see in your photos / plans: HVAC and electrical. Those are often forgotten initially, but you do need to think about them from the start. If you need isolation, then you also need HVAC. And it goes without saying that you always need an electrical system. Anyway, please provide as much information as you can on what you and Ben plan to do in this studio, and especially on the issue of isolation. Once you determine how much isolation you need (in terms of decibels) then we can suggest various construction methods and techniques for accomplishing that. That's basic. - Stuart -

Hi Stuart, Thank you for such a quick reply! Below are answers to your responses. We are currently working on finalizing the architectural design of the spaces. Please let me know if you need any more information in order to help us. Best, Adrian

By "shell", do you mean the stud-and-OSB walls visible in the photos?

Yes.

Can they be replaced with single fixed panes of laminated glass?

I wish, unfortunately no though due to budget constraints.

What is above that, and how is that deck built?

Above that is window cutting machinery, no tenants or neighbors. The machinery is not frequently used, luckily. The attached picture below shows a section of the ceiling. I believe the deck consists only of the wood boards.

So this is not just a DJ mix studio, but also a full recording studio? What types of instruments will be recorded in the LR? What style(s) of music (genre).

Yes. Ben plans on using the LR to record samples for his mixes (ie. vocals, acoustic/electric guitar + amped instruments, percussion (not a drum set really), and also to rent the space out (eventually in the future). I imagine if anyone were to rent out the space the typical client would be a rock band (2 guitars, a bass, drums, and a vocalist).

I assume that you mean US$ 1,500 for the design (paying the architect to draw up plans for approval), not for the actual build? You have a space of about 420 square feet. Three dollars and fifty seven cents per square foot already sounds way low for what an architect will cost you. So how much is the budget for the actual build? If you are not sure, call a couple of local contractors in your area and ask for their basic rate per square foot for converting an unfinished basement into a small upscale apartment. That will give you an idea of the real costs involved in doing this.

I apologize. Yes, I mean US$ 1,500. But, the budget is for the actual build. There won't be an architect working on this project, I'll be doing all of the drafting. It's a really tight budget, I know, but US$ 1,500 is what Ben estimates he has to spend at this point on the studio. I envision that this space will have to be constructed in phases as more funds become available.

Standard answer: "That depends".... Seriously, you haven't provided enough information on which to base a rough layout: Firstly, you did not say how much isolation you need, so it's impossible to say what needs to be done to isolate ("soundproof") the room sufficiently. There are two basic questions here: 1) How loud are you? 2) How quiet do you need to be?

1. I will try to have this data soon. I don't have a sound level meter yet. Do you have any suggestions on a reasonably priced, professional grade one? 2. Ideally NC 15-20, however, I doubt this is possible. So, as close to this as we can get within our budget. Ben plans on working in the studio after 5pm so there will be less outdoor noise from traffic, pedestrians, etc. and less noise inside since the employees are off from work.

Once again, that depends on what you are trying to do, and the acoustic situation around you! If you are just going to be mixing DJ albums in there at standard levels, no live recording, or just vocals, that's one thing. But if you are going to be recording extreme heavy metal bands in there, and there's a nursery for newborn babies on the floor above you, well that's a bit different! So once again, we need more info on what you plan to do there, whether this is a commercial facility or just a hobby facility, what else is around you in that building, and outside it, etc. Also, what takes priority here: The CR or the LR? Is the LR just a vocal booth / iso booth sort of thing, or do you want to put a symphony orchestra in there? Is the idea of this studio to produce finished albums, or just to practice and cut a few demo tracks every now and then? Lots of questions...

The CR will take priority as he will be making mostly electronic stuff. That does not mean that he doesn't care about the LR quality. I made a site plan showing the surround area to give you an idea. From Ben: "I see mostly singles for now although it's hard to say.. I'm sure there is going to be a huge range of projects coming through there. It would be good to be able to do everything- synthesize, record, mix and master."

Short answer? You can't. Or maybe you can, depending on what you mean by "sound insulation". If you are talking about something similar to Scenario #1 above, then you might be able to keep part of that wall. But if you are talking more like Scenario #2 above, then it's out of the question. Some other things I don't see in your photos / plans: HVAC and electrical. Those are often forgotten initially, but you do need to think about them from the start. If you need isolation, then you also need HVAC. And it goes without saying that you always need an electrical system. Anyway, please provide as much information as you can on what you and Ben plan to do in this studio, and especially on the issue of isolation. Once you determine how much isolation you need (in terms of decibels) then we can suggest various construction methods and techniques for accomplishing that. That's basic.

Scenario #1 fits our program. There is not a plan for HVAC at this point. I have outlet locations for Electrical that I will post tomorrow.

and also to rent the space out (eventually in the future).

That would make it a commercial facility, legally. So there's a bunch of requirements that you'd need to consider in advance. You should probably check with your local municipality to find out what those are. One aspect will be wheel-chair access, ramps no stairs, wide doors, etc. You should consider that now, to avoid having to tear things out and re-do them later.

It's a really tight budget, I know, but US$ 1,500 is what Ben estimates he has to spend at this point

Unfortunately, I don't think your goals are consistent with your budget. What you'd like to do is going to cost an awful lot more than what you plan to spend. So either you should increase your budget (add a zero), or lower your sites on what you want to achieve.

I envision that this space will have to be constructed in phases as more funds become available.

Fair enough, so then let's talk about the TOTAL budget, over, for example, a period of one year. You still need to design for the final outcome, even if the money isn't there yet. With the budget you have now you can probably seal the room somewhat as one single room for now (not divided in two yet), get a start on isolating that, and put some very basic treatment in. That's about it.

I don't have a sound level meter yet. Do you have any suggestions on a reasonably priced, professional grade one?

E-bay, Amazon.com, etc. A decent basic meter will cost you around US$ 50-100. Professional ones go for about ten times that price, and more. But hte basic one is all you need. As long as it has both "A" and "C" weighting, and both fast/slow settings, that's about all you need.

Ideally NC 15-20, however, I doubt this is possible.

NC is a rating that's more used for figuring how quite the building systems are, such as HVAC. It's a curve, not a level, so isn't easy to calculate. It would be easier to just give a single decibel number for both how loud you are and how quiet you need to be.

Scenario #1 fits our program.

OK. So seal the existing walls airtight, beef up the ones that are just stud walls with more mass on top of the existing surface (NOT on the other side of the studs! Leave the studs open, as they are now). By "mass" I mean ordinary 5/8" drywall. Cheap and effective. The goal is to get all four walls sealed airtight, all the gaps, even the little tine ones, and to also have at least two layers of mass on them, on just ONE side of the studs. That includes the windows: Seal those so that they cannot be opened. That's your outer-leaf, ad is probably all you can afford to do right now. The inner leaf will have to come later.

There is not a plan for HVAC at this point.

:shock: There should be! Even if you don't plan to implement it yet, it's a very, very important part of the studio! You can't survive for long in an air-tight room... the "V" in HVAC is "ventilation": you need a plan for that which includes the acoustics of how to ventilate the room without letting sound out/in. So that's what you can do to start: Get the meter, get some readings, beef up and seal the existing outer-leaf wall and the windows, and see hoe much money you have left for basic treatment. - Stuart -

Hi Stuart, Thanks for the reply. Just purchased this sound level meter. It seems like a good choice ($70, "A and C" weighting, and has a fast/slow setting, conforms to the IEC651, ANSI S1.4 type 2 for sound level meters). I had a couple more questions when you get a chance... 1. Any recommendations on acoustic caulk? I know Auralex makes one but I was wondering if there is a more reasonably priced, generic brand that is sufficient.

That includes the windows: Seal those so that they cannot be opened.

2. How do you propose I should seal the windows? We had this idea of making essentially shutters for the windows that can open and close. I guess they would be constructed similarly to an acoustic door (magnetic seal, bulb seals, etc.) What do you think of this idea? I'll see if I can draw something up to give you a visual idea of what I am talking about. I am going to put together a bill of materials and see where we stand with how far the first phase of construction can go. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again for the help. Best, Adrian

Thanks for the reply. Just purchased this sound level meter. It seems like a good choice ($70, "A and C" weighting, and has a fast/slow setting, conforms to the IEC651, ANSI S1.4 type 2 for sound level meters).

That looks fine: It will do the job.

1. Any recommendations on acoustic caulk? I know Auralex makes one but I was wondering if there is a more reasonably priced, generic brand that is sufficient.

Green Glue makes one as well, which is supposed to be good. USG makes one that is supposed to be really good, but is also messy, yuck stuff to handle. There are probably others, too. But if you are on a very tight budget and can't afford proper acoustic sealant, then ordinary household caulk is a possible substitute, provided that it is good quality and never hardens, remaining flexible, soft and rubbery even after it cures.

2. How do you propose I should seal the windows?

Two possibilities: If you want the daylight, then just bolt them closed and seal around the edges, twice: once with thin "weatherstrip" type rubber actually between the fixed and moving parts of the frame, then caulk all around the edges. Or if you don't need the daylight, then build a "plug", which is basically a large chunk of something massive (like plywood and drywall) that fits into the window frame, and seale tightly around the edges.

We had this idea of making essentially shutters for the windows that can open and close.

O doubt that shutters will work, since there is no way to seal them reliably. Acoustic isolation depends 100% on total hermetic air-tight seals. Even tine air gaps have a severe effect on isolation. It would not be easy to build shutters that could seal well enough to be of any use.

I guess they would be constructed similarly to an acoustic door (magnetic seal, bulb seals, etc.)

If you could figure out how to do that, then I suppose it is an option. But a removable plug would probably be easier. The main issue is that whatever you do has to be massive (very heavy), and has to be totally sealed. - Stuart -

Hi Stuart, It's been a while since I've last posted, I've been caught up with school work, but we've made some progress that I'd like to report and get your opinion on some things. I've bolded and italicized any questions that I have. Previously, I had mentioned that we are going to perform the construction in phases. We've determined that the 1st Phase will consist of the following: Phase 1 1. Finalize Elevate Sound design 2. Deconstruction (if necessary depending on design) ⁃ of existing door 3. Construction ⁃ Finalize framing details for acoustic doors ⁃ Finalize framing details for window ⁃ Finalize framing details for speaker inlays (if applicable) ⁃ Exterior wall construction and interior partition between CR and LR 4. Electrical runs ⁃ Outlets ⁃ Lights ⁃ Switches 5. HVAC lines (if applicable) 6. Data and communication ⁃ Install a CATV line and data port for future use I've attached images of two different concept designs that have been proposed for the space by a practicing acoustician in the Philadelphia area. What do you think? Particularly of the 2nd one as this is the most current design concept. The issue we have particularly with this design is that the space loses one window. Concept 1 Concept 2 With regards to the HVAC, my HVAC professor proposed using a split system, like these, for the space. I have heard they are relatively quiet, enough that they can be used in our studio. I am not sure where these would be mounted at the moment. Opinions? Do you have any advice on the electrical plan? Locations and quantities of outlets? After Phase 1 we have outlined some items that will occur. I've included these for your information. Following Phases 1. Construction of acoustic doors will occur after phase 1 2. Installation of HVAC will be one of the last phases, it should be planned for in the first phase though. 3. Boxing in the pipe in the LR should be after Phase 1 4. Wall art and ceiling art should be after Phase 2 5. Phase 2 includes: ⁃ Ceiling construction ⁃ Cloud framing Ben has also determined the following to be what he considers when he can move-in: Moved-In Milestone 1. Entry door installed 2. Exterior wall construction up 3. Interior wall construction up with window installed 4. Concrete floor sealed How much isolation we need: We've conducted a sound transmission loss test of the existing construction to determine how much isolation we need based on the test you outlined in this post. The following are our results: Loudest Level, Inside: 102.2 dBC Loudest Level, Outside of space: 92.0 dBC Quietest Level, Outside of space: 47 dBC Current Isolation: 10.2 dBC Isolation Needed: 45.0 dBC I believe we did the test correctly, not ideally as we used music instead of pink noise. I found that at even the minimal volume of music I could hear it through the walls. Therefore, the quietest level outside is with no music playing at all. The only issue is that we could not access the above floor and therefore could not take any measurements. If we do need more isolation through the ceiling, would it be a problem to test for how much isolation is needed at a later date and construct the ceiling accordingly? Based off of this data, how do I determine the necessary wall construction for the space? Acoustic Shutter idea: Lastly, I plan to construct acoustic shutters based off of this idea. I'll work on some details but I wanted to let you know that basis of the design and if you had any input.