Studio Design & Construction

Can you guys check this post on another forum as i had trouble posting images up on this one. Certain things in life ... even the simple bits ... i just can not get. i'll post it up here once I firgure out the uploading of the images - here's the link: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=90045 any help - much appreciated

Here you go - I'm not surprised you got no replies because of your rudeness in posting huge pictures on a forum!!!!! here's your original Gearslutz posting. I had plans of Recording AND Rehearsals but have since changed my mind and am sticking to recording ( since there is such a boom in the industry – I don’t think I can handle both :P). I hope this doesn’t seem too schizophrenic- I tried to make it as clear as possible: * Plans are drawn facing North. * Initially planned to be Recording AND Rehearsal facility (hence the present layout) – now ditched the rehearsal plan. * 3 squash courts - Double brick with cavity and 2 inch concrete. Each court is isolated from the other and do not share any floor joists. Dimensions: Squash courts approx. 9.7m x 6.4m * Height: Control Room: 2.7m Iso Room: 2.4m ( swapping Control Room for Iso Room is not wise in my opinion as the Control Room as it stands has far better ratio, comfort and acoustics. · There is an existing ceiling above Control Room and Isolation Room * Inner walls - stud frame wrapped in Foil Insulation Paper ( for change of medium) with Poly Batts (R7 rating) in between. Covered with 2 layers of 12mm high-density "sound-stop" plasterboard. All bottom plates are resting on rubber layer (de-coupling purpouses). * Centre dividing wall ( between Control Room and Iso Room is 270mm deep ( depth of 3 x studded walls ). Outer walls - stud frame wrapped in Foil Insulation Paper ( for change of medium) with Poly Batts (R7 rating) in between. Covered with 2 layers of 12mm high-density "sound-stop" plasterboard, whilst Inner Center cavity - stud frame with air gap, wrapped in Foil Insulation Paper ( for change of medium). * Ceiling: 2 layers x 12mm high-density "sound-stop" plasterboard, mounted on top floor (floor) joists using resiliant mounts to reduce vibration filled with Poly Batts (R7 rating) in between. Above ceiling ( upper floor: __mm floor joists and __mm floor boards. * Floor: __mm floor boards on floor joists. Note: Centre Squash Court division ( Control Room vs Iso Room ) both rest on same floor joists where the centre ( cavity "air-gap" wall ) is isolated from the floor boards and lies directly on the floor joists. Floor (joists) raised on stumps hence noticeable spill from Iso Room into Control Room. Possible to get under and either pump some foam ( not my ideal choice since foam tends to drop with time OR nail some styro-foam to the bottom of floor boards - AND/OR build floating floor in Control Room. Possible to put sand filled ply-wood platforms in Iso Room. * Bass traps: not yet installed. Just messing with location ideas and types. * How important is line of vision with musicians? Can I get away with video communication or is it that important to have actual glass there, since it is significantly more work to install windows between squash courts because of the Double brick with cavity and 2 inch concrete walls. · Adjacent Large Recording Room will have a low ceiling (2.1m) above only for the 1st half. The rest will be high ceiling ( approx. 6m). · I am looking for practical solution with minimal work. Do I: · Move the Electrical Switchboard (towards rear corner in place of existing door or near viewing glass) and put the door in its place? · Put the bass traps way in the rear corner and rework the entrance as in option B ? · Move the bass traps slightly forward ( in front of the entrance) as in option A? * Any other suggestions ??? · What about Feng Shui buzz .. ?? Which way’s the Chi gonna flow ?? … J * Feel free to post up any suggestions, as I need all the help I can get.

WOW !!! thanks - as I mentioned ... I'm a bit retarded when it comes to things like PDF,Photoshop etc ... too spoilt .. letting others do it for me... come crunch time I can't do it myself.

No one got any tips for me ?

Hi Guys - plans have changed and I have been convinced to use all my floor space and make this a 'real' studio. I have attatched ammendments - these are just ideas in relation to shape. I really don't know what to do re: machine room for my Studer A827 tape machine & computer Also - I'm 50/50about sofit mounting my main monitors: a) it's so hit & miss b) when it's time to change - it's easier. although I like the look of sofit & I save some space (?) I also like the idea of wings like Tom Misner's TLA room at Byron SAE see attachment). so my main concerns are : * Line of Sight * Machine/ Computere Room ( do i need one ?) * I'm trying to squeeze the tape machine on the right behind a sliding door? that way i have glass on either side re: stereo imaging. * Studio furniture and location of Racks ( whether they are behind the engineer, on each side like wings - or sofit mounted into wall ? ) * Future 'surround' implementation - positioning of monitors ?? SORRY I should have mentioned: * Middle is pre- existing and has low ceilings. 2.7 m for performance room and 2.4 m for the ISO booths. It also makes it harder/ more expensive to Isolate the drums( audio ) ie: the large tracking room from the control room that way and it will be harder for musicians to communicate with each other. please feel free to add and pull me up on anything I have missed. Cheers!

first, resize everything to 700px wide max... next - i'd put the CR in the middle so i could see the main live room as well as iso rooms.

gullfo wrote:

first, resize everything to 700px wide max... next - i'd put the CR in the middle so i could see the main live room as well as iso rooms.

SORRY I should have mentioned: * Middle is pre- existing and has low ceilings. 2.7 m for performance room and 2.4 m for the ISO booths. It also makes it harder/ more expensive to Isolate the drums( audio ) ie: the large tracking room from the control room that way and it will be harder for musicians to communicate with each other.

* How are the angles in Control Room ?? Can I utilize this space more efficiently? Do I really have to worry about Paralell walls in ISO booths or can that be sorted out later in room treatment ? -rectangular rooms dont sound too bad especially when used for Bass and guitar amps - do they ?

here's an attatched pic of 3 bare squash courts- just incase someone wan't to convince me to rip the above floor ( ceiling ) of court no. 2 and move my control room to the middle . It will cost much more - so you'd have to convince me with something substantial -

sounds like low ceilings all around. if you think most of your work will be in the CR, then use the higher rooms for it. if you think most of the work will be in recording mic'ed instruments, then i'd use the higher ceilings there. if you can afford to rip out the ceilings and make everything thing higher, then you will likely end up with a much nicer space and will have a lot more options for outfitting the rooms - ceilings, etc. than if you stick with low ceilings.

I've decidied to rip out the ceilings and start from scratch - that way I can correct any previous mistakes - especially where walls have been coupled. This way I start on a fresh - with more know-how under my belt and can use these spaces as an advantage. I Will post new plans in the next few days - showing all available areas - feel free to whip up a sketch peoples !

i'd say start with your existing drawing, just put the CR in the middle for a start and see how it plays in terms of workflow and visibility. then maybe turn the CR on the side facing the main room and see if that alters the workflow and visibility.

gullfo wrote:

i'd say start with your existing drawing, just put the CR in the middle for a start and see how it plays in terms of workflow and visibility. then maybe turn the CR on the side facing the main room and see if that alters the workflow and visibility.

Do I not wan't to maintain a "long" Control Room where i have the rear wall as far away from monitors to avoid reflections coming back? If I flip the CR facing the Tracking area - I would be in the same position as I am now.

this is the space I have available - and next to it I have an idea. any input appreciated. im thinkin of the office combined with tech room at front - up stairs and where it says tech room - have recriational there ie: table-tennis etc .. ( above anneneties) ... and also kitchen for clients. the room next to terrace can be lounge TV- internet-playstation etc ... The air lock below office ( 1st tracking room ) can be used to quickly seat unexpected clients while im in the middle of it - and also a place for them to unload before moving. What do you guys think about NATURAL LIGHT ?? - I can bring it in as a sky-Light from above ... it can come in from the sides of the false ceilings - so that it is soft and doesn't burn through. Natural Light = Sound Transmission = money. Any comments appreciated.

P.S : the rooms don't have to be the odd shapes I have drawn.