studio_drums's 1 Car Garage Conversion thread- FINISHED!!!

Many Thanks!!! Exactly what i needed. :-)

How do you like the API Pres??? I just got one for my Kick, Snare and Overheads... Seems like everyone needs to pad down the inputs before the PREs... Also what is your mic complement on your kit? Jon

The thing to do is pad the pres at the output before hitting the converter...but yes, they have plenty of gain and they sound great! I've using CAD 179's, ATM25's, ATM63HE's, Oktava MC012's, AT4040's, SM57, D112, etc.

Hi there, Studio-drums. I have just read this build diary with much interest! I was intending to build my studio using brick wall, but after seeing yours and reading on another thread that you were really pleased with the high level of isolation, I am considering building from wood instead…..much cheaper and easier :D Could you spare the time to clarify that your build was completed in the way you had originally planned on page 1 (i.e. - effectively 2 independent stud walls with 3 layers of Plasterboard on each etc?) What level of isolation does this provide? I play Bass and Drums, but as my studio will be only 15' from my neighbour, I will be needing some excellent results if I don't want want him to hear my music etc. How does yours hold up on these areas ? Regards Steve

Yes, my build did end up as originally planned. It's a true 'room within a room' on it's own isolated concrete slab. Remember, I started with an attached garage. I basically added 2 more layers of drywall to the existing garage walls and then built a room inside of it with 3 layers. I haven't done any measurements, but the isolation is remarkable. Standing right next to a rock drummer I'm guessing produces about 125db. The ambient noise in the neighborhood(birds, bugs, heaters, A/C, cars, roads, highway, etc.) is probably close to 55 db, and it easily masks the little bit of bass that still makes it through the walls. That's a difference of about 70db! My neighbor is about 17' away. Standing at the property line, you have to really, really listen to hear the little bit of bass. I imagine that inside their house they hear nothing at all. I showed them the completed studio and played drums while they went outside and they were quite impressed. Everyone is when they hear the difference. For the best results, maximize the airspace between your two walls/leaves. Every inch counts. I might have to break down and get a radio shack db meter and post some results...

for anyone interested... http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2103667 I got this sound-level meter yesterday and did some testing. guitar amp played loudly: 105 db (3 feet away). drums played loudly: 105-107 db (3 feet away). outside ambient noise(wind, cars, fan units, etc.) 55-60 db guitar amp outside: no measurement (10 ft. from studio wall, closest to neighbors): drums outside: no measurement (10 ft. from studio wall, closest to neighbors): Neither was louder than the ambient noise a suburban neighborhood produces. All of the sound treatment inside the room- bass traps, panels, etc. really cuts down on the sound level inside the room, which then directly translates to lower levels outside the room- I would say about 5-15db depending on the frequency. For example, what would normally be a reverberating 115 db rimshot only registered 105 5 feet away with all the treatment. I should also mention that the treatment wouldn't work as well in this capacity if the walls weren't so well-constructed. They help the treatment work by bouncing all that sound back into the room. I would definitely call this one a success!

Hi Everyone: I'm a newbie here and I'm very impressed with everything i've seen so far This build is almost identical to the one I want to do in my house (other than I am a guitarist instead of drummer, and the bedroom above my garage is my son's). The acoustic results are pretty much what I am looking for, namely as absolute as possible sound isolation to the outside. Also note that it will be used for a band rehearsal space as well. The questions I have are: 1) I noticed that you removed the concrete slab and replaced it. Is this necessary ? I have a concrete slab in my garage and don't want to remove it. At most, but I prefer not to, I would sawcust the slab around the perimeter of the garage to isolate it from the footing and rest of the structuire. How critical is this to do and how much improvement would this give in your opinion ? 2) The effectiveness (instead of sawcutting the slab ) of using neoprene pads on the concrete slab and then placing a subfloor (with mass) on the pads and building the walls on this structure to isolate the room from the rest of the structure? 3) Air exchange ? I am considering using an HRV or 2 in-line fans (1 in/ 1 out). Anyone have any opinions on either and/or recomendations or methodology. A/C is not that much of a concern for me as I am in Vancouver BC , budget, will mostly be playing at night, and the effects of global warming hasn't quite created too much of a need for it here...yet. I would appreciate any help or advice I could get and thanks in advance for any. (I did order the Home Recording Studio: Build It like the Pros book that everyone raves about this morning)

I suggest starting your own thread with these questions. More people will see it.