Garage Conversion in L.A. Mountain Suburb

Good evening Acousticians! I just picked up 'Build It Like The Pros' and though I just started reading it, am eager to start posting already. I guess that's the 'hey I'm a novice' warning. I'm a music composer heavily reliant on live mic'd up instruments. I live in a suburb about 10 minutes out of L.A. and just reached a professional goal with which I’m rewarding myself with a new studio. Just moved my studio into my spare bedroom (and it’s definitely not cutting it) after having a huge building in Hollywood for the past 7 years. Just no sense in paying a mortgage at home AND rent for work. Plus, I wanted to actually spend time with the wife and dog!!! ...And be able to get loaded...Not a software kind of guy, I use guitar amps, drums, violins/cellos for my songs, scores. I also occasionally jam/record with my loud psychedelic jam band The Camarillo Blues Triangle. So, I’d like to be considerate to my neighbors. The good news is I’m on a corner lot and my sole neighbor’s garage is right next to mine and he plays drums. He deadened it himself but still has a little bit of leak (which I thoroughly don't mind at all) So, we surely have an understanding. GOAL I'm looking to convert my old wooden single-car garage (18' 8" X 14' 5" measure form the exterior; 17’5” X 13’7” interior dimensions) into an all-in-one recording room. Though I’d REALLY like a separate Drum Room and bathroom, I’m unsure if the construction of an addition could be within my Maximum BUDGET of 20K. Someone please convince me otherwise!!!! I plan on hiring a builder to do the brunt of the work. I have no construction experience but am eager to get down and dirty and do all I can to make this happen. And to make up for the loss of the garage, I need to designate some space for laundry and storage. Currently considering a tuff shed for this. But if someone can convince me that an ADDITION is fea$ible for me I will do it. ALL OPINIONS WELCOME!!! Even to say f off get lost.....

I realize that the drum room is square. I just got the book!!!!!!

Hey there, I think with the addition of the building on the left you will go over budget. You will need to do a lot yourself - I reckon $50K if you you want someone else to do it + your extra room. Your drum area does not seem big enough. Maybe the kit is not to scale? Measure up a kit and place mics with some space for "air" - envisage the kit facing at least 2 ways , allow squeeze room to adjust /access mics (even ambient). You are on a roll - keep rolling and I look forward to updated designs. Don't hesitate to call John once you are 2-3 months into planning (he will probably save you about 25% of your budget) and have read at least 150 posts and 3 books on the subject and your brain is tired and you have that "relentless" "obsessive" glint in your eyes... :lol: Then you know you are on track and it is going to happen. I look forward to your progress, all the best and Take Care Eliot

Thanks Eliot. Reality check time ($$$), huh? Well, I am going with the middle drawing as my starting point. As I learn, I'll embellish and refine on that one. So, single-room style here we come. Break out the headphones......

MountCyanide wrote:

Reality check time ($$$), huh? ......

Take a look at this studio. http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5457 It's around the same dimensions as your garage mate. cheers john