Middle of the USA and new to the forum

Hello, all. I've been lurking about this forum for the last several months. I've been negotiating for some space for a new studio. I currently have only 500 s.f. - a 280 s.f. tracking room and a 220 s.f. control room. Business has been good, so I'm moving into a 1550 s.f. facility that is an end-cap to an "office/warehouse" facility. This is an interesting space, since it does not have the typical 90 degree angles. Please let me know how to post the image of the floor plan I've designed. Thanks, everyone. I'm anxious to hear back.

When you reply here, or start a new topic, scroll down to the "add an attachment" area. Browse for it, and add it. Read this first... http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=357

Thanks for the response subatom. I've completed the floor plan -- in the software that I had for designing our house -- but I'm having trouble exporting it to a smaller file (jpg, gif, even bmp). If I can't get it done in the next 30 minutes, I'm buying different software and starting all over again! :roll:

Export as a large file, and resize (see the link above). If you can't export as an image click "print screen" on your keyboard, and paste it into a paint program and resize it. ...or upload to your website, and link to it.

Okay, the best I can do, right now, is to send a PDF file with the design on it. I can't seem to get my drawing program to convert anything to jpg or gif. Let's see if this works. I have 14 feet to the deck, so I can have a 12 foot finished ceiling wherever I want. The outside walls (the restroom is on the only wall that adjoins another suit) are 8" concrete block with 2" of stucco and framing material, then the inside is 2X2 framing with drywall mounted. The small room beside the bath is the HVAC, so the unit, itself, can be isolated from the recording and mixing areas, leaving only the duct work to be treated. It will be above the ceiling, which will help, too. The internal wall separating the load in area from the drum and live room is actually 2 - 4" walls wth a 2" dead air space between. The same thing on the wall that runs behind the restroom and makes to angled turns to create the office/reception area. The walls are metal stud covered with drywall and filled with high density 3" acoustic material. The inside of the walls are left uncovered to allow the air space and acoustic material to work together. I plan on installing a floated floor in the live, drum, guitar, and control rooms. I was hoping to skip the cost in the other areas. Any advice you can provide will help.

looks like you'll have some fun here. What interior walls are existing? Just WC and Mech? Do you have any dimensions of the total space?

Correct. The only walls that are existing are the WC and mechanical. The landlord will install 3 phase power for me (200 amp service) but the buildout is up to me. Dimensions: There is a total of 1,550 square feet. The back wall (the garage is app. 15 feet. The angled wall from the back wall is app 45 feet. the angle that goes to the front of the space is 16 feet. The wall that the WC and mechanical are on is app. 44 feet. The long front wall is app. 32 feet, then angles "up" at roughly 45 degrees for about 6 feet, then angles 45 degrees to the right for another 5 feet to house the entry door. Hope this helps. Am I on the right track with this design? Any ideas on more efficient use of space? Some of my "concerns" are these: 1. Wasted space in the load in area, but there is a garage door (8 ft. X 8 ft) and a man door (3 ft.) that will make load-in/load-out very easy. 2. More wasted space inside the live room at the load-in area. 3. Getting to the control room involves either entry through the glass doors in the front of the room, or going through the guitar ISO room. 4. A kitchen would be a nice addition, but ..... Thanks, folks. I appreciate all input.

That's pretty close mate - the geometry of your control room has problems due to the parallel walls. Also you need direct access to the control room from your entrance otherwise people have to walk through the studio to get to the control room. here's an alternative to that area. cheers john

Thanks, so much, John. On two counts: 1. for helping me get a really funcitonal studio, and 2. paying me a compliment, to wit: I've been a part of this forum for the past year. My first visit was back in April of 2004, when I first started my little 500 s.f. studio. I was hoping things would be successful enough that I would be able to have a studio that would warrant asking you for help!! But, I saw a lot of the designs that were being submitted, and watched as you guided them to a better environment. I guess I was lucky enough to retain some of the great advice. As soon as the work begins, I'll be setting up a website that will follow the build-out progress. Hopefully, if it's alright with you, I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress. Again, thanks so much. I am so fired up to get the contractor working on the mechanical drawings and the build-out quote.

John, what would be a good bass trap for behind the sofa in the control room? I know I'll have to lose that window (I'll fill it with some acoustic fiberglass or something), but what would be the best use of that space so that it also serves as a bass trap? I was thinking of framing the wall, but covering it with a fabric rather than a hard surface such as gupsum board or plywood, then line the interior with acoustic treatment. Would that work? Is there a better alternative? Thanks.

Yeah - that's the way to go - you could even hang hangers in the deep section. cheers john

Thanks, John. I really appreciate your guidance on this. I think I'll end up with a very attractive ... and sonically pleasing ... studio. BTW: I'm teaching guitar to a "bloke" here in St. Louis who is an Aussie. He works for the Australian Defense Department and is assigned to Boeing. Every time I read something you've written, I hear his voice. :) He's a great guy and is encouraging me to make a trip down under. I just might take him up on it after I complete this studio. If it happens, maybe I can look you up and I'd be honored to buy you a pint. Cheers!

you know - I've just had a young american blow through my place - he arrived from Washington state with the typical long hair, beard and associated intensity. He returned the other day, after a couple of months in aussieland, with groomed hair, no beard, big smile and and cool, milky blond English lady attached. :D Do yourself a favour :) cheers john

Hmmm. That would make the "Scotty Dog" continent even more attractive! :) The thing is (or the things are): 1. I'm 54 years of age (55 on September 11) :shock: 2. I'm married (to a lovely Philippine/American sweetie) :wink: 3. I sport reasonably short locks (but I do have a moustache and goatie) 4. I have less intensity and more passion, these days. 8) I do plan on getting down there, but it will probably be in 2007. I want to do 10 days in Assieland, 5 days in Tahiti (I've been there, but my wife has not), and 5 days in New Zealand. i figure that would be a spectacular "trip of a lifetime". One that I very much want to do before retirement. All the best, John. You'll see me around here a lot more as I milk these wonderful folks for all their valuable (AND FREE) advice. Cheers.