designing a basement studio

Hi, I have been looking at this wonderful site for a while now and I finally moved into a house that has an unfinished basement. Finally, I have more space for my studio. I am now in the planning stage and hopefully once I have a design that works I plan to build most of the studio myself. I hope I can build this space for about $10,000. I will probably build it in stages as I can gradually get the finances in place. I want to get some reasonable isolation from the upstairs but my ceiling are the typical low basement ceilings. I plan on putting up 2 layers of 5/8" drywall attached to an RC for the ceilings. Right now I am not planning onfloating my floors. I also have neighboors but I think the double wall system should take care of that. Does this design work? Do you see any problems that I might have? Do you have any better solutions for me?

That looks fine mate - will work really well for you. I agree about the floating floor - it's expensive overkill IMO most times. cheers john

Thanks John! Now I'm wondering about three things. 1) Do you think I will need a double wall between studio 2/guest bedroom and the storage room? I don't know if a single wall with 2 layers of drywall on both sides is enough to stop the HVAC noise. As far as space goes I would like to get away with only one wall if I can. 2) For the ceiling I want to put up 2 layers of 5/8" drywall on an RC. Do I put the ceiling up over the whole basement first and then butt the walls up against it using foam on the top of the wall? If I do this will the walls be sturdy enough? Or do I put the walls up first and secure them to the floor joists and then put up the ceiling (2 layers of drywall on an RC) in each room? If I do this how will the vibrations from the walls not get transferred to the floor above it? 3) Do I need to worry about my control room proportions? Right now the dimensions are 7'-6" high X 10'-1" wide X 14'-11" deep. Is there a certain ratio that I should make it or should I not worry? Thank you very much for your help.

bcarr wrote:

1) Do you think I will need a double wall between studio 2/guest bedroom and the storage room? I don't know if a single wall with 2 layers of drywall on both sides is enough to stop the HVAC noise. As far as space goes I would like to get away with only one wall if I can.

I'd use RC on the HVAC side of the wall which will improve the STC there.

2) For the ceiling I want to put up 2 layers of 5/8" drywall on an RC. Do I put the ceiling up over the whole basement first and then butt the walls up against it using foam on the top of the wall? If I do this will the walls be sturdy enough? Or do I put the walls up first and secure them to the floor joists and then put up the ceiling (2 layers of drywall on an RC) in each room? If I do this how will the vibrations from the walls not get transferred to the floor above it?

I'd put up the walls first - you only need attach it to the floor joists to a minimum. Then add each ceiling individually.

3) Do I need to worry about my control room proportions? Right now the dimensions are 7'-6" high X 10'-1" wide X 14'-11" deep. Is there a certain ratio that I should make it or should I not worry?

Your room size is Ok BUT I just noticed that rear window to the bedroom which is not a good idea IMO. You don't want reflections coming back at you from behind. cheers john