Turning my barn into a studio: obviously not the first here.

Ok, so I'm reeling at the amount of information on this site. I've been reading for a few months and still don't feel prepared to post. My family has lived on a farm in NC since 1833. We are just artists now, so the buildings aren't being used. Developments are springing up all over the old countryside around us and people are moving to the area en masse. They are building a 200 acre development twenty feet behind my mom's painting studio. It's depressing and we could either sell the old farm and get the hell out or try to live up to the changes and turn our piece of heaven into an oasis of creativity and... trees. You can assume that we prefer to do the latter. So anyway I have chosed to take one of the old barns and turn it into a recording studio. I'm eighteen years old, a freshman at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. I've been recording since eighth grade, beginning with hardcore and punk bands. My current projects include the New York Guitar Quartet, my teacher Terry Champlain's next two classical guitar albums, students from Mannes Conservatory, and folk rockers here on campus. I've got Terry to thank for most of this recent work. I'm trying to do this barn for about $5000 (paltry, I know). Keeping the barn feel is a must. Perfection is not, I would love for this place to have it's own quirky (but obviously usable) sound. Here is a link to the plans as they stand now: www.geocities.com/thebarnstudio I just made this site quickly so I wouldn't have to post pictures and take up space on Mr. Sayers' site. All of the wonderfully imaginative designs that I've seen so far on this site have me reconsidering my design (obviously total symmetry is not necessary). Basically I'm inviting commentary and design alterations from all of you far more experienced studio nuts. Thanks so much, I'm looking forward to working out a much stronger design with you folks! Also, are you guys using CAD? MS Paint just isn't cutting it, but I can't afford CAD.

here's the plan cheers john

I am in POK NY as well. Been recording for quite some time. Play a little drums too. Point is I was originally from Yonkers but moved up here (Hating it) Because I can't find anyone who is into music or has a studio .. etc. etc.. I have a lot of equipment but as of right now no place to house it. .. Anyways drop me a line and if you like check out my site... http://www.hit-stop.com

I am in POK NY as well. Been recording for quite some time. Play a little drums too. Point is I was originally from Yonkers but moved up here (Hating it) Because I can't find anyone who is into music or has a studio .. etc. etc.. I have a lot of equipment but as of right now no place to house it. .. Anyways drop me a line and if you like check out my site... http://www.hit-stop.com

I'm a bit confused - are those columns running down the length of the room?? you drew them differently in your plan on the right. cheers john

Hey, good to see someone here in Poughkeepsie. I just go to school here, but since I'm a freshman I've got some years ahead of me. Anyway, yes those columns do run down the center of the room currently. But they are just old wooden 4x4s that wouldn't win any awards for excellence in carpentry. This building was really scabbed together (albiet 120 years ago). My idea was to take out the posts when I remove the floorboards on the second floor. Then I would frame my internal walls which will act as supports for the second floor. I added two more posts behind mix position, as you can see. I'm not sure if these would be necessary or not. Do you think they would be problematic acoustically? What if I moved the desk back and placed them on either side of it? Anyway, after the walls get framed and the posts possibly go up, I'll put a floor back on the 2nd floor joists. At least, this is how I've been assuming I would do all this. Any revisions to my plan are invited.

Your new structure isn't going to hold up a second floor. A rough calc estimates you could replace the vertical 4 x 4 posts with horizontal 10" x 3" beams running down the building from left wall to right wall in their place. Then your studio will be able to be built disconnected from the rest of the building which will give you way better isolation and you won't hear the studio upstairs and all rooms are free of pillars. cheers john

I think I'm a bit confused. There are horizontal 2x10 beams running horizontally supporting the 2nd floor. Did you see the second page of designs (the side views) or am I just not understanding your advice? That advice, by the way, is GREATLY appreciated. After studying this site for so long, I know that if it's OK in your book, it's gonna be great.

I'm sorry - I didn't see the side view page. I would have though that the 10" beams would be sufficient to hold up the upper floor without posts. cheers john

I'm sure you're right. I guess the hundred-year-oldness just has me nervous. Hehe, I guess I really know nothing.

I'd get ina structural consultant to check it out - if you can avoid posts it will allow you to isolate the studio structure from the upper floor. cheers john

Alright. Now, do you feel that I should consider re-orienting the rooms? Possibly turning the control room 90 degrees to counter-clockwise? I just think that the entrance door is not in the best spot.

The space is not as big as it looks - when you draw in objects to scale this is what you get cheers john

Damn. That looks a hell of a lot better. You win, and my submission has been acheived.

Of course, my KRK V8s have the power switches on the rear. Would soffit mounting be a good idea?

Bruce liked his KRK's soffit mounted - turn then on/off at an external power point. cheers john

OK so that wouldn't be a problem? I'd definitely love to mount them in the wall because a) it's badass b) Blue Bear Sound is badass, oh yeah, and it would sound better. Thanks so much, you are totally turning me on my head in the best way.