I'm planning on building a recording studio on my property. I don't know exactly what size yet as I've yet to determine if the area I want to build in is even viable. My goal is 400-500 sqft ... I think. Honestly I'm not sure if that's enough space for what I want to accomplish, or if its even overkill.
Goals:
* Free standing structure on concrete slab (unless someone suggests an alternative) ~450 sqft(?)
* Allow my band to play and record out loud. Drums, bass, guitars, vocals.
* A separate control room would be nice but is not a hard requirement
* Temperature control
* Sound lock
Usage:
My band practices weekly. We usually do so in my garage in a headphone mix with electric drums. Some times we'll rent a practice space to play out loud. We gig every now and then for fun, once a month or so. We want to get a little more serious about recording and we want to be able to do it out loud.
On practice nights I hit record in Pro Tools, only occasionally stopping it if we take a break or something. Then, on a weekend night, I'll go in the garage and chop up the session, sometimes touch up the mix a little, and bounce each song to mp3, including jams and whatever other funny stuff I stumble upon. The bounces go in to a shared dropbox folder and we all get to listen during our work week :)
A control room would be nice so that I could bring in an engineer to record us properly. But again, it's not absolutely necessary. I also wouldn't mind other bands to occasionally use the space to record, but it's primarily for my band.
I live in a neighborhood that has a pretty strict HOA. Fortunately the neighbors aren't terribly close. I'm on a little over an acre, and most lots are at least this size. My nearest neighbor is 150 to 200 feet away. Still, I want as little sound to escape as is feasible on my budget.
Budget: $50K
I should mention that our drummer owns a construction company and is planning to help in some ways. We'll be buying materials at his rates and he can act as the general contractor pro bono. He'll help me hire the sub contractors we need for various tasks (like foundation, framing, etc) and help me when there's stuff we can do on our own.
Questions:
1) Is my budget realistic?
2) Is there a rule of thumb in terms of $/sqft?
3) Am I allocating enough space? 400-500sqft? Is there an optimal size?
4) Is there an existing plan I could use versus having to design it from scratch?
5) I've been reading a lot of this forum and others, as well as Rod Gervais' book. But I still have no idea where to begin. Help?
6) What other information can I provide here to enable others to advise?
I'm sorry if any of these questions are addressed in the FAQ. I went through it and didn't see anything, but maybe I missed it.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Planning a new free standing studio
Originally posted at johnlsayers.com, topic 20040.
Hi ooo27 and welcome.
You have left out one bit of info which is how much isolation do you require in terms of Db? If you're an amplified band with a drummer then you're probably pushing 120db. If you need to be 50db outside the studio then you need 70db isolation. That's the first thing you need to work out as it's what defines how you construct your building to achieve the required level of isolation.
as for the questions....
To be honest, I don't think so. My studio which is around the same size that you are talking about cost me 50k.....but that's with me doing 85-90% of the work. Did the slab myself, was on the trowel with the brickies, was on the roof with the plumbers, was running cable for the electrician and did the whole of the internal construction with timber and plaster myself as well as internal acoustic treatment and finishes. If I had to pay contractors for the whole build and did none of it myself then I think i would've been up for around 150K :shock: You guys might be able to get it done under 100k if you have your friend on board and can get good deals on materials, but I think 50k won't quite get you there if you're hiring a lot of tradesmen. Maybe 50k in materials plus whatever labour you need.Budget: $50K I should mention that our drummer owns a construction company and is planning to help in some ways. We'll be buying materials at his rates and he can act as the general contractor pro bono. He'll help me hire the sub contractors we need for various tasks (like foundation, framing, etc) and help me when there's stuff we can do on our own. Questions: 1) Is my budget realistic?
No, but there is a rule of thumb regarding room ratios. ie: width vs length vs height. Look arounf the forum for info on room ratios and you'll get the idea. As you're starting from scratch you can pick and choose what will fir your site best.2) Is there a rule of thumb in terms of $/sqft?
see above.3) Am I allocating enough space? 400-500sqft? Is there an optimal size?
John has quite a few designs posted up on the forum. I actually forget where they are at the moment, but look around and you'll find some of his layouts which would be a great place to start.4) Is there an existing plan I could use versus having to design it from scratch?
Figure out how much isolation you need in terms of db. Figure out the dimensions of the space you want to build by looking at room ratios and the site that you have to build on. Look at some of John's design and see what suits your needs best. That'll get you started. Then download sketchup and make some plans of what you're looking to build, post them up here and you'll get some advice on whether you're ticking all the right boxes or not.5) I've been reading a lot of this forum and others, as well as Rod Gervais' book. But I still have no idea where to begin. Help?
see above regarding isolation requirements and sketchup plans.6) What other information can I provide here to enable others to advise?
no probs, and the best move you've made is posting up here before you start throwing tens of thousands of dollars at a project. My build was made significantly better from the advice i recieved here, mainly from Stuart, but many others as well. You really do need someone watching over your shoulder with your first studio build which is what happens here :) all the best, SteveThanks in advance for any advice.
I'll do some research on how to figure this out. I'm sure I can find the info on this forum.Hi ooo27 and welcome. You have left out one bit of info which is how much isolation do you require in terms of Db? If you're an amplified band with a drummer then you're probably pushing 120db. If you need to be 50db outside the studio then you need 70db isolation. That's the first thing you need to work out as it's what defines how you construct your building to achieve the required level of isolation.
Ok. Well the 50K isn't a firm number. The important part is setting a realistic budget and trying my best to stick to it. My next steps are:To be honest, I don't think so. My studio which is around the same size that you are talking about cost me 50k.....but that's with me doing 85-90% of the work. Did the slab myself, was on the trowel with the brickies, was on the roof with the plumbers, was running cable for the electrician and did the whole of the internal construction with timber and plaster myself as well as internal acoustic treatment and finishes. If I had to pay contractors for the whole build and did none of it myself then I think i would've been up for around 150K :shock: You guys might be able to get it done under 100k if you have your friend on board and can get good deals on materials, but I think 50k won't quite get you there if you're hiring a lot of tradesmen. Maybe 50k in materials plus whatever labour you need.1) Is my budget realistic?
- Figure out isolation requirements
- Stop by city hall to talk to development services department
- Meet with design consultant (he's coming over Wednesday)
@stevev, I forgot to thank you for great response. Sorry!
I've spent the last couple of hours reading as many ground-up projects as I could find. I encountered this thread (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19777) where the plans seem to be far more complicated than mine. He said his budget is £35000-£40000 ($55-62K USD). Soundman2020 seems to think that's a reasonable budget so I'm wondering why you think my $50K is so way off base. The OP even says he's going to be contracting out a lot of the work and not doing it himself. Just trying to reconcile the two opinions.
We are an amplified rock band with acoustic drums and bass guitar. What's the best way to figure out how loud we are? Will a sound level meter in any old rehearsal room do the trick?