Progressive Studio

Hey guys... I haven't posted in some time...my last project of an attic studio never quite took off. I have read extensively on this site and am pretty familiar with some of the basic principles of room design (splayed walls, rfz, bass trapping). I am aware that the needs of the individual drive the design of the studio and that many designs I have seen are just two much studio for me. Conceptual Overview I have neither the need nor the budget to build a professional facility at this time in my life. Up until now I have been working in terrible rooms and producing decent results (albiet frustratingly slow results). My idea is to build a decent room for mixing/tracking that could possibly grow in the future if I see the need. I am planning to build a detached garage (32'x24'). One half of this structure will remain a one car garage (for now) while the other half will be a large mixing/tracking room. I have no need of multiple rooms and they cause more problems than they solve for me. I want the room to sound decent acoustically but am not very concerned with isolation beyond just normal tight construction. This studio will be used for personal projects and the occasional mercenary job. I am planning to maintain the rectangular shape of the room for now for a couple of reasons: cost of additional walls and the possibility of reconverting the room into a garage bay later (if I sell my house). Budget 20,000-30,000 USD Questions 1. The rectangular room will have 10" ceilings and will be pretty close in dimensions to one of the so-called "golden ratios". With this large a volume of air, and the ratio being good, and with the assumption that I will use wall units of some kind for treatment...can I expect to have a nice, usable mixing environment? 2. If I don't intend to soffit my speakers...will I be best served by placing them against the front wall? 3. Do you have any general observations about the idea that I may have missed? Thanks, Richard

Are you planning on building a wall between the car part and the studio part? If so, I would recommend AT LEAST 2x6 construction (of the entire building - assuming that you're going to use wood), 2x8 would be better. Make the two walls ("right" on your drawing and dividing wall) the same. Plan on at least 2 layers of drywall all the way around. You might want to consider a door between the two spaces. You never know when you might want the extra space for a couple of hours on one of your "mercinary" jobs. :-) len

Richard, My partner in crime! I am in the process of renovating a detached garage, that was previously converted into a (partial) apartment. Here's my thread: http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5402 I look forward to following your progress! Chrisgraff