Researching options for Basement Studio

Hello everyone, I'm in the process of researching any options available to me for converting my Basement/Garage into a practice area/studio. Purpose is to have a place for band rehersals and a place to record. I just downloaded Sketchup last night. I am also attaching a 2D drawing with the measurments of the space. The existing space is in need of many things, the garage area is a painted concrete with small storage closets build into the south wall. I am on a limited budget at the moment - roughly $500 to $1000, if i need more I am open to taking out a loan. I look forward to as much input as anyone can provide :D ! Edit: the Height of the ceiling is 7'6", I just realized that I was missing that measurment from the 2D drawing. :D ~Terry

Aloha and welcome to the forum. Terry :D Looking over your skp file. Get back to you soon. Aloha 8)

Wow that was a fast reply!!!! Awesome and ty for the welcome :D ~Terry

Aloha Terry, Are you planning on using just the garage area, or the whole floor plan? Aloha 8)

The plan is to use as much as possible... Everything but the laundry room. ~Terry

Aloha, Cool. Is the storage unit (marked in green) removable? Aloha 8)

hi Jerry, unfortunatly its not removable... It is an enclosement for the heating duct system. Also, (in the sketchup drawing) along the 6' wall, there is a small door that leads to the furnace behind that wall. ~Terry

Hello group :) this is my first post here. I want to thank everyone for all the information you share. I´m about to build a studio in a garage, also to be used as rehersal room and the measures are almost the same than this one, so I´ll watch this thread with a close eye.

Aloha,

unfortunatly its not removable

Okay, cool. Here's the skp drawing for easier reference. Be back ina few with a couple of ideas. gpiccolini, Aloha and welcome to the forum.:D Aloha 8)

Aloha, Here's an idea to start with. (Acoustic treatments for iso booths and garage door construction yet to be addressed) In Rod Gervais’ book “Build it Like the Pros,” (recommended) http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5670 he points out both L.W.Sepmeyer’s & M.M. Louden’s formulas most widely used in professional studios worldwide. He also notes that the orders listed are (top to bottom) the first to third best ratios in both cases. L.W. Sepmeyer Height Width Length 1.00 1.14 1.39 7’6” x 8’5” x 10’4” 1.00 1.28 1.54 1.00 1.60 2.33 M.M. Louden Height Width Length 1.00 1.40 1.90 7’6” x 10’5” x 14’2” 1.00 1.30 1.90 1.00 1.50 2.10 Aloha 8)

if you expand on Kendale's ideas - I'd move the storage out of the main space and into the stair and laundry area as it opens up another 4-5' and simplifies the construction (which you'll need given the tight budget). presumably the center wall is load bearing so you'd only want to open a single door between the isobooth on the end. I think with the stairs and such, the second isobooth by the stairs may be better served by making that your storage area and if you need another booth - take advantage of the (now) larger tracking room to put one in there later. the wide doors - cover them with a wall and with a smaller door each (or not even put one in the isobooth). this way you're only constructing about 4 new 2x4 walls (3 w/ drywall - 1 w/ slats) and adding 1 or 2 exterior and 2 glass/windowed doors. use plywood routed with slots for the resonator treatments unless 2x lumber is less expensive.

Hi guys, Thanks for the ideas! I'm working on a more accurate (measurments) sketchup of the plans. I will be replacing the garage door with a 3' door. I will also be taking out the storage closets along the back of the garage area. I'm not sure about having the iso room to the left of the stairs due to the furnace being located behind the wall (the small door in my sketchup drawing leads to the furnace room). But for now I am more concerned with getting the live room and control room designed. :) I'll post my updated sketchup drawing soon :) Thanks again for the ideas! ~Terry

I love SketchUp! :D I hate Vista! Heres my newest plan: I'm attaching the .skp file but had to zip it since it was over 500k. ~Terry

looks like it should work. if you're going to use the iso room you'll want to make sure its actually isolated and treated but the plan looks workable.