Planning Stage, Dedicated Mixing Room

I am in planning stages and so grateful to find a site filled with like minded individuals not to mention such useful information. I stumbled upon this site as I googled ideas on building a space to mixdown (at rather low volume) and master tracks as this has been a long time battle. I am running a simple workstation (Rain/PC) Win7 64Bit, Cubase, Focusrite Pres, Comp, Motu MK2408 Interface. I just recently purchase a set of Adams A77X's and a pair of yamaha HS80M's near field monitors also have a Yorkville Sub. Right now I am live tracking drums and guitars in a set area, in the basement. There are no interior walls just painted concrete exterior block walls. The basement is a rectangle 25' x 50' with steel support jacks (every 6-7ft) holding main support beam (center) and a set of stairs coming down midway.. well.. a little pass midway. The largest space of the basement I have dedicated to the live area. I know my wife would love for me to soundproof this area. I would like to, but the liveliness works well with what I am working with at the moment. Anyhow... the space in mind... is an area approx 13ft long x 11ft wide - the bottom of ceiling joist to the concrete slab is 8ft. There is one long concrete block exterior wall @ 13ft and one short concrete block exterior wall @ 11ft. I would need to build two more walls to make a complete rectangle 13ft x 11ft room. There are open joist's in the ceiling (unfortunately) there is two round ducts running parallel to each other; One duct is for upstairs and runs the full length of the joist. The other duct is for air down and runs half the length of the opposing joist. The room up above this space is the dining room; pergo wood floor. I am not to concerned of outside noise as we are tracking, but after tracking, i would like to be able to close a door and truly hear what we are working with. I mix at low volume, I have no neighbors and or worry to crank it up from time to time, mainly I keep volume down. Would the 13ft x 11ft area be suitable to build a room dedicated to a low volume mixing room at the same time be able to retain a frequency response adequate to mix in? What size room would you suggest to build inside the 13ft x 11ft area? Would I need to use the room inside of a room method? My budget is 2000 but no more than five. I will be doing the labor myself except hanging drywall as needed. Ive attached a Sketchup jpg showing the open space I recreated for your review. Your thoughts and any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

Hi " steepleusa", and welcome! :)

I just recently purchase a set of Adams A77X's

Smart move! :) :thu:

There are no interior walls just painted concrete exterior block walls.

That's actually a good starting point, and you should be able to get good isolation like that.

The largest space of the basement I have dedicated to the live area. I know my wife would love for me to soundproof this area. I would like to, but the liveliness works well with what I am working with at the moment.

You can do both, actually: it is entirely possible to soundproof ("isolate") your drum room, while still keeping it lively. Isolation is one thing, treatment is another. They are two totally separate aspects of acoustics, and only vaguely related. So you can have a nice live drum booth that is also very well isolated.

area approx 13ft long x 11ft wide - the bottom of ceiling joist to the concrete slab is 8ft.

That's pretty decent. A reasonably good ratio with no major red flags.

I would need to build two more walls to make a complete rectangle 13ft x 11ft room. ...

... or four walls, to both isolate and get a great "live" sound in your room....

Would the 13ft x 11ft area be suitable to build a room dedicated to a low volume mixing room at the same time be able to retain a frequency response adequate to mix in?

I'm not sure I understand that question! It sounds like you are asking; "Is this room good to mix in, and also good to mix in?" :shock:

Your thoughts and any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

What will you be tracking in there? Acoustic drums? Guitar amps? Bass amps? Something else? - Stuart -