Building Home Project Studio From Scratch

I have discovered this great forum and I have been learning a great deal as I read all of the posts. I am designing a studio for my back-yard that will be built from scratch. The foot-print is 30 x 30 with an attached garden barn for our yard equipment. This studio will be used to practice with my church worship band as well as a recording studio for personal use. I need a fairly large studio (24 x 32), and a control room. Please see my attached design. My question is will I achieve good acoustics for recording for the sizes and design that I've developed ? I understand that I will need to investigate acoustical treatments for the walls and ceiling. I plan to install wood floors (planning a concrete slab)and wood-paneled walls (looking for acoustical-absorption wood products). I would appreciate any comments and suggestions. I plan to meet with a builder very soon and will begin construction this summer. I appreciate the help!!![/b]

Aloha and welcome to the forum, Any chance you could resize your pic :shock: :shock: :shock: down to about 600 pixels wide, please? This will eliminate the need to scroll back and forth and is part of the forum guidelines. http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3231 Thanks! :wink: Aloha 8)

Sorry about that. I've tried to resize and attached the new document. I hope this works. Thanks! :D

Aloha, Ahhh, that's better! :D Any chance you could delete the first one, now? :shock: Aloha 8)

I'd sacrifice some studio space for a better control room like this. cheers john

John, Thank you for your suggestion and design. I'm a novice at this but I think I understand the need for angled walls, larger control room that allows symmetry and absorption areas to get a more proper and accurate mix. My dilemma is that my space will be used more for practice with 4-5 band members and I also wanted a larger studio to house my various instruments and equipment. However, I am very interested in also laying down tracks myself and learning multi-track recording and techniques. And I want it to sound as professional as possible. Therefore I'll most like incorporate your design .... I'm just trying to find some more space in the studio. Couple questions: 1. Are those bass traps behind the drums and the upper left-hand corner ? Why just those areas ? 2. For a studio this size, what types of treatment do you think I need to consider ? 3. Are those bass traps behind the seating in the control room ? 4. I'm trying to figure out what type of roof (truss system) to build that isn't too high in my back yard. For the cieling, would a small cathedral cieling have acoustic benefits or would it be a negative ? Again, I appreciate your help! Bill

Please see attached a new design incorporating John's recommendations (at least for the Control Room). My goal is to not only have good acoustics but I need a larger live/studio room. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks ! Bill

4. I'm trying to figure out what type of roof (truss system) to build that isn't too high in my back yard. For the cieling, would a small cathedral cieling have acoustic benefits or would it be a negative ?

I'd consider a scissor truss system. cheers john

In the interest of being difficult. You mentioned 4-5 people rehearsing in your room. I looked at JOhns design estimated the space then used my experience with my own live room whihc is at least 1/2 the size/volume of the one john has draw for you and cant figure out why you think it's too small. I was able to fit Drums Bass and Keys in my live room comfortably. I supplied them with headphone mixes and they grooved quite nicely. with johns design being 2x the size of mine you are looking at a lot of room. I think you are cheating yourself if you dont take his deisgn seriously. My entire space was 13x22 you space is twice what I had. That is a LOT of room for what you are seeking. And you get a vocal iso booth. Trust me John knows his stuff. Thanks to Johns advice I have generated some great biz and awesome mixes in the room he designed for me.

You are too kind Bryan ;) :D How the touring going?? If you look at my plan I put in pocket doors that slide away opening up the whole room if needed, otherwise it's booth. cheers john

John and Bryan, Thank you for your suggestions, comments, and advice. Bryan, I appreciate your experience. It's hard for me to get a sense of the size. I tried to measure it out but it looks small. I know that when walls are built and a roof is put on, it will seem much larger. My goal is to achieve professional acoustics and sound to enable a very quality outcome. I think I will go forward with John's design. I realize his experience and with your advice about size, this should work well. By the way Bryan, are you a brother in the Lord Jesus ? What type of music are you involved with ? Bill - From Grand Rapids, Michigan. :D

Hey bill, A fellow michigander. Coolness. Glad you are heeding. you might be surprised to find out how large a 32x34 studio really is. More space than you know. Yes I am a brother in Christ. Cant find a better way to live in spite of my shortcoings his patience and love for me keeps me solid. Primarily My wife does Contemporary Christian. As an Engineer I mix everything. John The tour is over and we are doing spot dates right now, which is great. Gives me time to focus on the relocation and the new builds. Whew!!! Didnt realize how "addicted" I was to my studio. LOL. almost dont wanna listen to any other room unless it is designed right. Sorta makes you spoiled. LOL.

Yup - I like that Bill. I'd angle the front wall of the drum booth/vox booth by swinging it around to the top corner of the control room. and I'd angle the wall between those two rooms and put a window in it so you can see the drummer. cheers john