Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the board, but have read all of the stickies and guidelines and such. I'm starting a basement studio and I've created a basic model of the space using Sketchup, but have only been using the program for 1 day so it may look a little primitive.
My Objectives:
I want to use the space as basically a personal studio. I do nothing professionally musically. Music just gets my head away from work. The main thing I am looking for is being able to get the amps up a bit in volume without bothering my family upstairs. And acoustic improvements would be great too - I need all the tone help I can get. I don't see neighbors being much of a problem. There are none behind me and on the left side they will be about 250 feet away.
About the Room:
The room is at one end of the house in the basement and it is surrounded on 3 sides by concrete and the floor is concrete. There are no windows or any challenges like that. There will be two walls that are studded. Here is the top view with dimensions. I'm not quite sure how to put it into meters if that would be helpful.
External image, not preserved — original: http://www.usaxe.com/studio/top_view.gif
As you can see, on the right side of the room there is a utility room that will be closed off by a studded wall. Another Air handling unit will go in there for the lower level. That room's wall is concrete also, so from a neighbor standpoint that side of the house should be pretty quiet externally as it's underground and surrounded by concrete. Here is a side view showing 1 studded wall:
External image, not preserved — original: http://www.usaxe.com/studio/left_side.gif
As we switch to a view to the other side, the entrance will be a door where you see the word "control". I just haven't figured out how to make a door yet in the software. There will also be a new door made where you see air handling unit to get into that utility room
External image, not preserved — original: http://www.usaxe.com/studio/right_side.gif
And as we spin to the other side you can view the space looking into the second studded wall behind the control panel. Behind that studded wall is a stairway leading to the upper level. And the remainder of the basement is on the other side of that stairway, putting the neighbor on that side about 250 feet or more away.
External image, not preserved — original: http://www.usaxe.com/studio/back_side.gif
I've also put together a video of the actual space.
You can view it here: Atl Studio Video
The Sketchup Model is available here:
Sketchup Model Atl Studio
Here are my initial questions:
1. Do I stud the concrete walls? How to best handle them. 1 layer of sheet rock on them sufficient?
2. This is really the biggie: Ceiling: Our kitchen is right above the ceiling. How do I make it as quiet as possible for those above? How do I "float" the ceiling if necessary?
3. Originally wanted to do Quiet Rock, but after using the search funtion here I am not so sure.
4. Do I make the side vocal booth shown in the model?
5. What about the floor for this one?
6. Should I not put outlets or anything on the studded walls? Keep them solid?
7. Do I separate the live room and control room with a wall across the room? Like I said, I am not doing this professionally, just a jam room.
Thank you for any help - Great forum!
Ed