Substantial posts by len-morgan, who started the thread, and by the forum’s most active contributors. 118 of 256 posts are listed.
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len-morgan, 7 October 2005Well friends, the time has come to start this diary. I've purchased my building, did my designing, got my permits, done most of the demolition. I've got lumber and…
sharward, 7 October 2005Congratulations on your building purchase, your design, your permits, your demolition, your construction start, and for starting your build diary here! I'm making…
len-morgan, 7 October 2005For a fact? Who can really know? :-) I have had a structural engineer look at the building and my design (and construction method) and he has no problem with it. He says…
len-morgan, 11 October 2005It might be a little premature but I've got a few questions as I'm going through this build: 1) Would I be better off getting insulation that is intended for 6" studs…
len-morgan, 11 October 2005The interior walls are going to be 3 1/2" from the East/West walls and 6" from the North/South walls. That's going to give me 7" + DW (1 1/4") or 9 1/2" + DW. However,…
len-morgan, 11 October 2005I've thought about that but I'm not quite sure how I'd get the insulation to "stand up" in the cavity. The studs will hold it up inside but in the gap between the studs…
len-morgan, 11 October 2005That was my plan all along. My question was how to hold up the stuff between the cement block wall and the back of the stud wall. I would LOVE to be able to put all the…
sharward, 11 October 2005I'm not following your question, Len. Or maybe you misunderstood my suggestion, because my suggestion does not include putting any "stuff" between the cement block wall…
len-morgan, 12 October 2005I thought I remembered a remark about the kraft paper. Ok, plain insulation. As to the amount to use, I did misunderstand what you were saying. When you said: that's…
len-morgan, 13 October 2005The city inspector said I could put up the insulation between the studs before the framing inspection. I could have even drywalled one side as long as he can see behind…
len-morgan, 16 October 2005Well, we just keep moving along. The framing is about 3/4 done (1/2 if you count the ceiling joists). I've still got one wall of my drum room and then the control room…
len-morgan, 16 October 2005I'd like to take credit for it but you have to remember I have a friend helping me who is not only a master electrician but a carpenter too. And he has loaned me all the…
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len-morgan, 17 October 2005I guess it all depends on your point of view and what you're used to. Midland/Odessa are a little over an hour away West (about 200K population between the two) and…
knightfly, 17 October 2005Len, sorry I didn't get to this earlier; on the vapor barrier thing, if the wall isn't an outside wall you don't want a vapor barrier at all; otherwise, for outside…
len-morgan, 17 October 2005Thanks for the reply, Steve! You've confused me a little. I THINK you are saying: 1) As long as we're talking about interior partition walls (not the cinder block wall),…
knightfly, 17 October 2005Dan, you don't want double or triple pane windows in a sound isolated space; causes a SERIOUS loss of isolation due to multi-leaf effects. Windows, as walls and…
len-morgan, 18 October 2005Just to answer the condensation question: No, the walls were dry as a bone when the windows were dripping. I've been in this building for about 5 years (I used to be a…
len-morgan, 18 October 2005Brother Dan, It took me until just now to realize who you were. Your username went right over my head! It's strange that I had to look at your profile to find out your…
len-morgan, 18 October 2005Yipee!!!!! I just got a call back from one of the two building supply places in town and he can get me all the UNfaced R-11 I need for just under .20/sq ft! It's the OC…
len-morgan, 19 October 2005You've confused me (of course, you better than anyone know how easy that is to do) :-) The windows along the North wall (pretty much the entire front of the building)…
len-morgan, 20 October 2005It's an entirely different world "inside." When I first started there, half of the stuff didn't make sense in the "real" world. As I've looked at other software used in…
len-morgan, 20 October 2005The gap is about 14". Actually, I'm going to plug up the windows with some "solid" styrofoam (the blue stuff) tight against the glass with plywood holding it tight…
len-morgan, 21 October 2005Here's a few more pictures of the progress. Sorry it's been so long since the last ones - once you've seen one framed wall, you've seen 'em all. :-) Image not preserved:…
len-morgan, 22 October 2005Gravity, wishful thinking, and loooong nails. Seriously, The theory here (according to guy helping me to do the woodwork) is that the drywall will hold it all together…
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len-morgan, 24 October 2005Rough Framing Is Done!!!!! After a loooong push this weekend, we got ALL of the rough framing built, anchored, plumbed!! I did learn a valuable lesson: Don't make design…
sharward, 24 October 2005Congratulations on reaching a very exciting milestone, Len! Len, you may want to hold off on the drywall for a bit. Even though you probably can proceed, I'd recommend…
len-morgan, 24 October 2005That's a great point, Keith. I hadn't thought of it in that light. It wouldn't be too bad if I had only screwed it in but I had been planning on taping/mudding those…
len-morgan, 1 November 2005At last, some pictures!!! Work has slowed a bit because of scheduling conflicts, life, family, etc...... As you can see, I've covered up the front glass with galvanized…
len-morgan, 1 November 2005I really don't think so. It is very light gauge aluminum stuff and has enough slack in it to decouple. I'm sure there will be some minor amount of vibration but this is…
sharward, 1 November 2005There may be a minimum vertical clearance in the crawlspace for the boxes to be considered "accessible" via that route. You should probably investigate that. Sometimes…
len-morgan, 9 November 2005I Passed My First City Inspection!!!! It took about 10 minutes for the inspector to go through and look things over. He had some questions about things that looked…
len-morgan, 10 November 2005Thanks for the encouragement! By the way, Keith, the inspection was only yesterday so I would hardly say you were "late in seeing" the post. :-) I guess the framing is…
len-morgan, 18 November 2005I have an update to the drywall lifter: Take Sharward's advice and either spend the extra money or rent one. While the Chinese knockoff will get me through my project,…
sharward, 18 November 2005In my case, I seriously doubt renting would be practical because I'll be "off" and "on" with the thing so much. :roll: One should definitely consider the benefits of…
len-morgan, 18 November 2005It's hard to tell if that's the same model but I think if it's red, it's one of the knock offs. If you can live with the quality, I found several vendors that had the…
len-morgan, 18 November 2005Ok, here's some more pictures. The last picture in the second set I call "Measure Twice - Then call someone that knows what they are doing!" 8 x 10s available for a…
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len-morgan, 18 November 2005The Ukraine! I know it's a long way to go (and expensive as hell) but well worth it. She is a real "mail-order bride." We "met" and "dated" on the Internet (using ICQ…
len-morgan, 18 November 2005Well, that's exactly what I meant but only as a joke. Maybe I'd better avoid humor and stick to construction. No, no, that won't work....stick to programming - yeah,…
len-morgan, 27 November 2005Sorry gang, I've been busy working on my studio and haven't been too good at updating the progress. Yesterday, we finished up the first layer of drywall in the drum…
sharward, 27 November 2005Beautiful -- all four of 'em! ;-) Thanks for thinking of me with the "virtual turkey," Len! :D Actually, I did take a break on Thursday from the impact hammering to go…
len-morgan, 28 November 2005Beware of discounts and freebies! Be very afraid. :-) The older daughter is turning 20 in December and is every bit the terror that teenage daughters are perported to…
len-morgan, 28 November 2005Lessons I've learned so far: 1) Don't trust estimates of material useage provide by design programs. My first (computer) esitmate of 2x4s was 99. Ended up using 207! And…
len-morgan, 28 November 2005Keith, Do you know if there is "sticky" with words of wisdom like this? I know there's lots of theory and "best practices" but sometimes little things (like having ALL…
len-morgan, 28 November 20059) "Plumb" is not a fruit. "Square" is not the guy with thick glasses you knew in high school. Yes, Virgina, it really DOES matter. 10) Do not listen to the radio while…
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len-morgan, 29 November 2005Yes. :( Besides, we couldn't have called out for any body because we were laughing so hard speech itself was out of the question. I'm glad I could put a smile on your…
len-morgan, 13 December 2005I guess it's time to update this thread! I've been bumped to the second page :-( At least it's because I've been busy building and not because I ran out of money or…
len-morgan, 13 December 2005Here's a picture of what will hopefully be a time (and quality) saver. You shove one of these plastic things in the outlet box (with the wires already there), and then…
len-morgan, 20 December 2005An Update On My Progress Well, no pictures but an update none the less. The vocal booth and the main room now have both layers of drywall. That a little more than 1/2 of…
len-morgan, 4 January 2006AT LAST....THE LAST LAYER OF DRYWALL IS UP!!!!! :-) :-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-) Last night, we put up the final (second) layer of the control room. I…
len-morgan, 4 January 2006Well, they aren't going to be THAT exciting since the second layer of dry wall looks a lot like the first layer. I guess the one that looks "the best" is the ceremonial…
len-morgan, 5 January 2006I think they call it "Orange Peel" Bear in mind that I am NOT going to be doing this myself. I've got my builder who's going to do the spraying. My involvement will be…
len-morgan, 16 January 2006Texturing Is Done!!!!!! We managed to get the entire studio textured today!!! Boy, that's a messy, noisy job but it sure gives the walls a professional look (see pics).…
len-morgan, 17 January 2006I wish that were true. I was really relagated to taking the pictures, getting the water to thin the mix, and staying out of the way. My carpenter/electrician friend owns…
len-morgan, 7 February 2006Well, it's been almost a month since I've last updated this thread. I haven't been slacking off though. I decided to "finish" the two walls in the office/hallway area…
len-morgan, 14 February 2006I've got a few more pictures showing some of the "furniture" I'm putting in. I decided to take a little break from painting. These show the steps I used to make some…
len-morgan, 6 March 2006Kathy, Thanks for stopping by! If I'm not mistaken, I'm the one that sent you off on the "damn barn floor" trek. I hope I really pays off for you and ends up being worth…
len-morgan, 26 April 2006Well, it's been almost 2 months since I've updated my studio's progress, so for all my fans (both of them), here's lot's of pictures of where I am right now. When we…
len-morgan, 26 April 2006And now, a few shots of the back wall of the control room. This will be lined with 4"/4 pcf mineral wool with bass hangers in the middle. Image not preserved: Studio…
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len-morgan, 26 April 2006And a few more shots of the back wall MW being mounted. I had a lot of trouble getting something that would hold the MW up to the wall. Impalling clips didn't hold it…
len-morgan, 26 April 2006Because of poor planning in the beginning (and not asking the right questions at the right time), my ceiling vents came out right in the middle of the new wall so I had…
len-morgan, 26 April 2006The final group of updates are still works in progress. The first is the slat wall I'm building on the East wall of my main room. I still need to build a couple of…
len-morgan, 26 April 2006Nope, not yet. I posted the question on the Speaker forum but there doesn't seem to be much action there. As you can see from the last photo in this group, my speakers…
len-morgan, 27 April 2006I would consider it a good thing too except other than the MW along the back of the room (and it doesn't have bass hangers or the outside 4" of MW yet), I don't have any…
len-morgan, 30 April 2006Here's the pictures of my speaker pilar construction that I mentioned a few posts back. Enjoy! Image not preserved: Studio Pictures 007.jpg Image not preserved: Studio…
len-morgan, 1 May 2006It's not really that big a deal (my mid-life career change from electronic engineer and computer programmer to recording studio operator not withstanding). :-) It…
len-morgan, 1 May 2006I don't know about the "lucky to know me" part but the first I wholeheartedly agree (although I don't think luck had much to do with it. That little infection caused a…
len-morgan, 1 May 2006The feeling is mutal. I hope we get the chance to meet face to face one of these days. I addition to all the gifted people we meet here, there's a lot of ones that are…
len-morgan, 11 June 2006Thanks for asking Stan. You're absolutely right - it's been a LONG time since I've posted anything but it's not because nothing has been happening. I have a lot of…
len-morgan, 13 June 2006Keith, F Y I - I also have XP Pro and I DO have that option...sort of. When you select the picture(s), then right click on one of them, pick "Send To", then "Mail…
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Ro, 14 June 2006that e-mail option depends on your email client. not on XP itself. Yer prolly using outlook express which indeed comes standard with XP. However, when using the OFFICE…
len-morgan, 18 June 2006It's been too long since an update so I'm going to try and catch up a little. The pictures might be out of chronological order but grouped by subject. We'll start with…
len-morgan, 18 June 2006Ok, now for my "corner treatment" in the drum room. This all came together quickly. This is one of the two 90 degree corners in the room and it's major purpose is to…
len-morgan, 18 June 2006Yes, they are varied but only in the range of 1/8" to 3/8" (only 1 1/8" gap on the bottom though). I used the Helmoltz calculator here and it's tuned to be between about…
len-morgan, 18 June 2006One thing you have to remember (or take note of if your memory's as bad as mine!), is that wall is at an angle. There's almost 3' of space on the left hand side and it…
len-morgan, 19 June 2006Thanks for the compliments - as you can see, just because I haven't been updating here, I have been busy. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "schematic." Being an EE…
len-morgan, 19 June 2006And now for the glass installation!!! It was done last Friday and took about an hour. I had the glass vendor do the install. I learned as a child that if I bought one of…
len-morgan, 20 June 2006Stick, I got it at Hancock's Fabric but you could probably get it at Fabric warehouse or any similar big fabric store. I was on the close out table and I thing was…
len-morgan, 20 June 2006I think it's as "acoustically transparent" as any GoM stuff is. I can see light through it and can breath through it (and it's not shiny). What GoM gives you is the…
len-morgan, 20 June 2006Here two links that I found provided by Knightfly: http://www.natfire.com/ http://www.stifirestop.com/ I used the first one. The lifetime they quote is 5 years and then…
len-morgan, 28 June 2006Ok, a minor update.... I've started covering the "tables" I've built under the windows in the main room. I decided to face the plywood with cedar planking (14 sq ft /…
len-morgan, 28 June 2006Thanks, Keith. I am really happy with the way the tops of the tables are turning out. It's plain ol' MDF with 2 coats of primer, three coats of latex paint, and 4 coats…
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len-morgan, 29 June 2006The short answer is yes. :-) I wanted some place to set down drinks, sheet music, guitar picks, etc. I wouldn't want a new customer to try and set them down on the black…
len-morgan, 29 June 2006You obviously have not looked on a map to see where Big Spring, TX is! :-) I'm sure I could find someone to do the painting for me but at this point, it's really just…
len-morgan, 30 June 2006Thanks Stan! Unfortunately, the A/C went out AGAIN and we're still hovering around triple digits on the temperature. :-( The joints seem to keep cracking (but just…
len-morgan, 30 June 2006Thanks, Keith. At least I've got a good guy to work with. He's Trane's "factory man" in this area and services all of the commercial accounts (like the 6 prisons in…
len-morgan, 30 June 2006Aren't the lines on the mini-splits flexible plastic hose? Or are they copper tubing like a "real" A/C? :-) No matter what they're made of, maybe if you used a larger…
len-morgan, 30 June 2006Since it looks like the tubing is already insulated with foam (although not very much), unless you really man-handle it in the process of installing it, I think you're…
sharward, 30 June 2006The line will have to be about 50 feet long. I'm planning to mount the indoor unit on the back (south) wall, so the line will have to go up a few feet between the…
len-morgan, 12 August 2006Well, I was a little bit idle a couple of weeks ago. My wife needed a vacation <b>BADLY</b> and <b>I</b> needed her to have one. Other than that, I have been busy and…
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sharward, 13 August 2006No, Len -- recording a few seconds in an unfinished studio does not a finished studio make! :lol: Nice try though. :twisted: Well, even though you may not thinking such…
len-morgan, 13 August 2006'nuff said. I will not post pictures of things like nails in my hand and the various "spills" of fluids that have happened. After all, I have to protect some dignity.…
len-morgan, 14 August 2006I guess that brings up another question: Can ANY perforation (sp?) of a mass wall (as in m-a-m), be "cured" with acoustic calk? There can't be that much mass involved in…
Luftweg, 16 August 2006Is that lower density 'made up for' since the studs are 3.5 inch deep? If drywall density is D/inch^3, then stud density is 2/3 x D/inch^3. Drywall thickness is, say, 3…
Luftweg, 17 August 2006But when mass is mostly a factor, isn't it with the lower frequencies? And isn't it partially a 'total' mass of a particular 'large' area that stops vibrations? In other…
sharward, 17 August 2006I didn't use cleats over my beef. I used cleats to hold the OSB firmly to the outer wall, then I applied drywall strips and attached them to the OSB. The final layer of…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006Well my friends, I guess it's high time for an update. I took a two week vacation and had a bunch of "real" work come up so I haven't been able to update but I have been…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006And now for something completely different... :-) This is the SoundTile foam from Auralux getting put together and mounted in the vocal booth. It should be noted that…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006Now a few shots of various things that have been going on. I'll let them speak for themselves... Image not preserved: P7020057.JPG Image not preserved: P7020050.JPG…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006It does look nice but in the corners (which you really can't see well in these pictures, I could have cut the foam to make a little better fit in the corners but it was…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006I'm not sure exactly what it called but it's a felt backed vinyl that I got in the remnants area of a fabric store. I think it was like $2.99/yard or something like…
len-morgan, 18 August 2006Yes, it was routed to clear the "fat" part of the hinges. Since the door was going to end up being 3 1/4" inches thick, I needed big hinges to hold it on. At first I…
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len-morgan, 22 August 2006John, I'd be interested too! I wish I knew. There are two reasons I don't: 1) I don't have bottom seals or mechanical closers on the doors yet so while there is "a lot"…
len-morgan, 22 August 2006Yes, you really did. Believe me, I would not have given up the space or the nicely painted wall of my own accord. That is, until I'd actually heard it! I hope to be able…
len-morgan, 2 September 2006I guess it's time again for an update. I've been working on lots of little stuff. This first couple of pictures is a little box a made for the control room to hold one…
len-morgan, 2 September 2006Now we get to the ceiling cloud for the control room. This again was made up from some 1x4s I had laying around (I have a LOT of stuff laying around right now. I ripped…
len-morgan, 2 September 2006Here's a few more. I'll have a picture of the finished (or at least covered) cloud later today (I forgot the camera last night. len Image not preserved: P8290355.JPG…
len-morgan, 18 September 2006I was going to, Keith but I thought that keeping the chronology correct was important too. :-) I've still got unposted pictures of things that happened before the…
len-morgan, 11 November 2006Well my friends, after a two month absence from updating this thread, I guess it's about time. I don't have a lot of pictures because frankly, I've been recording more…
knightfly, 12 November 2006Lookin' good Len, your carpenters are sure a whole lot better lookin' that the ones I get stuck with :wink: Don't worry about the with/without hangers tests, that was…
len-morgan, 3 March 2007Man, I wish that was true! I just found out this morning that I've lost my job!! Great way to start the weekend. Unfortunately, living in a small town (25K souls) it's…
camistan, 3 March 2007Man-O-Man...that's REALLY a bummer! :shock: I'm really sorry to hear about the job Len. Yea, if nothing else it will push you to finish your studio and hopefully put you…
len-morgan, 3 March 2007It's not as bad as it sounds at first blush. I have at least 2 months notice to find something else or get the studio up and running. I'm not a fan of Heavy Metal either…
len-morgan, 4 March 2007Thanks Kieth. There isn't any severance pay (I'm self employed) but I was given two months notice. There's still a chance I can get them to extend it to the end of the…
len-morgan, 25 December 2007I'm so sorry Jester for not getting back to you sooner about your HVAC questions. Your email sat in my in box forever and then while trying to clean things up, it…
len-morgan, 18 February 2008I not only heard it, I felt it!! The house felt like it lifted about 6" up in the air. I haven't been down to the studio yet but everybody here is fine. Considering the…
len-morgan, 19 February 2008pearlsnap, Thanks for the concern. The studio is essentially done except for some trim work (the same trim work that I needed to finish a year ago). I've been recording…
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len-morgan, 22 February 2011Jester, Sorry it's taken me so long to respond (almost 2 years!). I've been so busy "playing" in my studio that I haven't been here in that long. To answer your…
len-morgan, 29 November 2011Now that I've had my studio up and running for a few years, I'm considering making a change and I've come back for some advice. Basically, what I want to do is to cut my…