Basement studio thread.. time to start this thing

I'll have to get to work on that drawing... I'm not as concerned about flanking through TO the isolation booth, but I am concerned with flanking to the other side (in the basement). Why wouldn't screws pass inspection?? I thought screws were always better than nails? I'd prefer to use screws just because I can drill more exactly... i suck at hammering nails. :? I also have a question about sill seal. The one side is flat, the other is rippled... which side faces down on the concrete floor? Should I glue it to the bottom plate? construction adhesive = wood glue?

OK Steve... I tried my best at a drawing... spent all morning on it :oops: All in paint. Not real great at this, but maybe it will give you the idea. Keep in mind there will be the frame around the ducts, but i can't draw that and keep the 3D view without losing my mind. All framing will have a double top plate and single bottom plate. So the question here is.... do I have to worry about these frames touching each other? Or should they support each other by being connected with some type of resilient clip? :? The wall that faces into the basement (goes behind the steps)... i'm now thinking that I should make it a double wall but they will have to ONLY be attached to the ceiling above (since there's no existing wall near here). Although, behind the steps from one side of the basement to the other is the main steal beam. Maybe I could attach to that some how? Of course the duct is here too... for the wall that is in the basement... I was going to use the same technique for framing the duct in the main studio... but on both sides. It gets ugly here though because it kind of zig zags at this point. I may have to come up with a way to angle the duct frame... :?

OK...here is another view of the basement from above... concerning the ducts... I guess the main concern here is that (unless I put a lot of space inbetween the double walls)... will I be able to frame around the duct here... It is quite wide (don't have exact measurements yet...but will get them for you). These duct frames will also have to stop the wall from tipping over ... :?

Can anyone recommend how to handle the HVAC in my studio? I'm gonna contact a professional, but I need some information about keeping my isolation before I talk with them... I've only had a few days as high as 76 and the basement remains rather cool (it's underground). It does get pretty cold in the winter... and of course, I need fresh air. I have a propane system... heating and air conditioning on the main two floors. The ducts run through my room will have 2 layers 5/8" drywall + Green Glue and insulation over them. I really need to worry about isolation to the upstairs. I've read about 90 degree bends in the duct work helping with isolation but at the point where the vents are, I don't understand how that wouldn't hurt isolation. I guess it stops the sound from traveling through the ducts... but what about the hole in your wall where the vents are?

What about the possibility of having the HVAC supply and returns outside of the studio in the remaining part of the basement?? I could leave the door open except when in use. The studio won't have that many people in it. Would this mean framing out and insulating the rest of the basement (or otherwise, losing a lot of money in electric and propane costs)?

Tom...you still workin' on that studio??

I sure am.. slowly but surely!

Tom, can you post a pic (no wider than 750 this time) taken with your back up against the wall that's furthest from the vocal booth, and looking at your duct work? I need to see exactly what we're dealing with here... Steve