...One Man's Quest Into Studio Design

I started this process at a HomeRecording.Com, but then I referred to this wonderful site. I see that this site is geared more towards the design & construction of a Studio Space, so this is definitely the place I need to me. The Whole Post Thus Far Can Be Found Here: http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=244480 But I will cut & past much of the information here so as not to have to retype it. Thank You All For Looking... I'm posting this thread for a few reasons.

To have a place to document my process. To post my progress and get input and answers to problems/questions that arise in "Real Time". So others may read it an hopefully provide answers to their questions. To offer my help in any way in gratitude for your help.

I'm a musician (Drums), who pays the bills by day as an Architect & Electrical Engineer (Hey, It's a job ) So, Music is not new to me, and construction and it's techniques are not new to me... but acoustical engineering is. I've been researching, for some time now, what it would take to finally have a proper music studio w/ recording capabilities. And a proper home outside the home for all my kits and gear. Now, I'm not a sound engineer either but would like to expand my music interest by being able to record. I've taken some considerable time researching all aspects of this project and have identified & set realistic goals for what I want out of this. Here is the short and sweet of it in an attempt to not get too long winded. (If I haven't already)

Playing: Playing Music Is My Primary Goal.. Both Alone & w/ a full Band. (Practice & Rehearsal Space) Hard Rock & Punk Recording: For Fun, MySpace, Feedback & Demos. Will be initially investing about $1500-$2000 in Gear. (See Gear List Below) Isolation: Achieve Reasonable Isolation so as to not bother my neighbors w/ late night practices. Also, To Isolate Control Room from Studio Space. (If I decide to go that route) Room Acoustics: To achieve a nice balance of sound in both rooms. Control of Highs, Mids & Lows.

I'm at the point where I'm about to draw all this up and put all my research into the design phase. The base of this design will start with a relatively standard garage design. (Both for cost & portability. If I move, I'm taking it with me) Here is what the Recording end of thing will be. It allows for expansion and fits my personal needs & Goals.

Dell WorkStation w/ Flat Screen PreSonus FirePod or FireStudio (w/ Monitor Station Remote) PreSonus FaderPort Software Automation and Transport Controller HP4 Discrete 4-Channel Headphone Amp Studio Monitors Assorted Mics (Shure Sm57, Sm58's etc...) Assorted Cables, Stands, & Gear

This set up will allow for a space saving design, cost, & expandability.

When I started thinking about this project, there was a lot to take in (and still a lot more to go)... I had research many aspects of Studio Design including Gear, Construction, Acoustics, Environmental, Spatial, Aesthetics, and on and on. Each subject matter alone has tons of information to learn and at the end of the day are all interconnected. Like, I may be researching how to isolate sound in a space from escaping (or entering)... Then you're left with an airtight room that sounds bad. So now you start to research Acoustics and how to address the sound trapped in the room. Now since you have an air tight room (At least you hope to), you have to figure out how to get fresh air in there otherwise Co2 level will rise. You also want to keep a constant Temperature & Humidity to protect the instruments and be comfortable, but now you've put a "hole" in your airtight room. How do you keep sound from traveling through the HVAC. And you need electric outlets, but what are your electrical needs? So now you research the gear you want in the space. The outlets also put holes in your airtight room, how to you address this... you start to get the point. It's a lot of back an forth between subject matter all toward the same goal. Luckily with my education in Architecture & Engineering, I've been taught a systematic approach to identify problems like these and find their solutions. That's not to say "I Know everything on the subject matter", but it's enough to start the schematic design phase and ask the questions that matter.

I know that I want my studio detached from the house, So I figure I have 3 types of building approaches to my studio. "Stick Built" (Regardless of material), which would mean an all new building with foundation, wall, roof, etc...

Pros: The most custom option. It could be any size, shape, or design you want. You have the option to pick building materials, that right off the bat, help you acoustically meet your goals. Cons: Permanent (This subject personal to my goals), Most costly, more tome to build. Not really a DIY Project. There will be architectural, structural, electrical & mechanical issues that will all require the hiring of professionals. Also, unless you are really knowledgeable at construction, this is not a DIY project.

"Pre Fab" This could be a "Garage Kit" from 84 Lumber, or a pole barn, etc...

Pro: Cost and Time. You basically order a "kit of parts" and just put it together. According to size, this could be a DIY project or may require tradesmen. (However, A "Slab on Grade" will have to be poured in most cases.) Cons: Permanent, Not as custom.

"Roll Off Building" This is where you order a "finished" building and they drop it off (or in some cases construct it on site, not unlike the "Pre Fab"

Pros: Because the building is not permanent, many time it will fall outside building codes. (This is a good thing if you have ever had to deal with code officials ). You can take it with you if you move (If it was a true roll off) Cheapest (How? You don't have to pay for a slab many times, building fees, professional, or tradesmen (Although some labor was obviously figured in the cost). Time, order it.. it shows up.. and is there and ready for Phase II Cons: Not too custom at all. Some extra thought will have to be given to fully waterproofing the structure (Mostly issues from below). Widths typically are not as wide as the above 2 options due to transportation.

For me, I want to be able to take it with me If I move. I would hate to spend all that money on the inside and not be able to get a return on it. Unless you're lucky enough to sell to another musician, you're at a loss. Not having to deal w/ building code issues is a real bonus for me. Here, a permanent structure greatly increases you taxes. So there are continual cost to think about when doing a permanent structure. So my base will be a roll off type structure. (14'W x 28'L) Cost $5-6k There's also other issues that led to this decision, like Site, etc... Which I'll go into.

RED - MY HOUSE YELLOW - RESIDENTIAL GREEN - COMMERCIAL BLUE - MIXED USE (RES/COM) ORANGE - PRIMARY ROAD LT. YELLOW - SECONDARY ROAD I live in a small USA town, but on the main road that runs through it. It is a mixed use area where residential & commercial properties exist together. Road Noise, Proximity To Neighbors, and Small Lot Size are all issues to be considered.

Some site issues.

Lot size is relatively small Close proximity to neighbors Shared Driveway & "Shed"

See footprint of "Proposed Studio"

Let it be noted that I've moved on to Scheme II based on feedback I've gotten thus far. However, I would to have your input on Scheme I as I develop Scheme II. Software Availible: AutoCAD 2006, SketchUP 5, Adobe CS, etc... If you would like a drawing file to play w/ the design, PM me your email addy and I'll forward the file.

Section Toward Drum Riser

Section Toward Control Room

Section Through Control Room

Longitudinal Section

Here is a SketchUP File for the base garage. Feel free to download it and use it. If anybody wants to have a go at doing a layout, I'd love to see it.

Aloha and welcome to the forum, Nice job on your Skp file! :wink: Give me a few and I'll be back with a few ideas... Aloha 8)

Aloha, As we have been advised not to take these calculations as "absolutes" but rather as a starting point, here are a few suggestions: On Room Ratios - In Rod Gervais’ book “Build it Like the Pros,” 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 6’9” x 7’6” x 9’4” 1.00 1.28 1.54 1.00 1.60 2.33 M.M. Louden Height Width Length 1.00 1.40 1.90 6’9” x 9’4” x 12’8” 1.00 1.30 1.90 1.00 1.50 2.10 In Eric Desart's study on Louden’s Ratios http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewt ... c&start=15 (thank you, Eric) we find something more like this- 1.00, 1.35, 1.85 6’9” x 9’1” x 12’5” The figures have been rounded off to the nearest inch, but you get the idea. :wink: Back in bit, Aloha 8)

Aloha, Here are a couple of views using the L.W. Sepmeyer ratios Height Width Length 1.00 1.14 1.39 6’9” x 7’6” x 9’4” It's a bit tight, but close to what you had drawn earlier. Aloha 8)

kendale wrote:

Aloha and welcome to the forum, Nice job on your Skp file! :wink: Give me a few and I'll be back with a few ideas... Aloha 8)

Thanks for the welcome :) As for the Skippy, Thanks!. I've been using SU for over 5 years now??? (SU v2) and use it just about everyday at work for everything from Schematic design, Sun Studies, Mass Studies, Design Development, Client Presentations, Construction Documents, etc.... I even do models "Just for fun" at home, it's just that cool of a program... So, I'm pretty good at it by now. :wink: I've used just about every 3D software out there at one time or another, but SU has always been the easiest (And in many ways, the best looking) piece of software out there. I Was pleasantly surprised to see that it was the forums design program of choice. Thanks for taking a shot at it, I look forward to your input. I'm working on 2 schemes now. One is a developed version of the separate Live Room & Control Room w/ Splayed Walls. The other is an "All In One" Studio. :arrow: (On a side note, I do freelance Architectural Design & Modeling for reasonable, So should anybody need my help, by all means hit me up w/ a PM or Email : [removed]) Thanks, Glen

Aloha,

I do freelance Architectural Design & Modeling for reasonable, So should anybody need my help, by all means hit me up w/ a PM or Email

Awesome. Thanks for the offer! Here are a couple of view using M. M.Louden's ratios. More room to work with. By placing the control room on the far end, you can eliminate having people walking/carting instruments through the control room. Looking forward to your designs. Aloha 8)

kendale, Thanks for the Ratios and control room plans. Thank you very much. I should have a couple of designs up soon for review.

Ok.. here is Scheme II This is More a "All In One" approach. As the space is more a rehearsal space w/ the added benefit of being able to record. There is a Vestibule to allow light into the space and control the escaping sound. I've allowed for a dedicated vocal booth & a room for Storage & any Mech. Equipment. I have not modeled any of the acoustical treatment yet (Eg. Slot Resonators, Panel Absorbers, Diffusion, etc..) Honestly, I'm hoping for advice as to what I need and where to put it as I'm not real sure (From a scientific perspective) I would be happy to email the skp to anybody who wants it, but I can't post it as it now exceeds the 500kb forum limit. Thanks in Advance.

Nice to see you made it over here! I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable than me will step in, but I would say that you definently need to center your mix position. I would also follow Kendales general idea and get rid of as many parallel surfaces as possible. If your already doing a two leaf design, a splayed wall would be a good idea I would think.

NL5 wrote:

Nice to see you made it over here! I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable than me will step in, but I would say that you definently need to center your mix position. I would also follow Kendales general idea and get rid of as many parallel surfaces as possible. If your already doing a two leaf design, a splayed wall would be a good idea I would think.

Yeah... Thanks for the Tip! :) ... I have to be honest.. I'm just real hesitant to start making weird shapes for the room... something about me just prefers the symmetry of things. I would think with sound waves you would want them reflecting back to your mic's at about the same time.. However, this isn't to say I'm not open to it, I will always humbly listen to the experts advice... . I have to think that I could get this room to sound nice through the use panel absorbers, diffusers, slot resonators, and Bass traps... But I have no idea of where to start to find out how much of each I would need and where the best placement would me.

GCR22 wrote:

... I have to be honest.. I'm just real hesitant to start making weird shapes for the room... something about me just prefers the symmetry of things. I would think with sound waves you would want them reflecting back to your mic's at about the same time..

Splayed walls would still be symmetrical..........