Basement Combination Room Construction Under Way

And finally, it's been a long haul, but it's time to call this project complete. I actually finished up most of the work around the first of the year, but doing little odds and ends as time allows since. I started this project post on August 31st, 2007. Wow, some things have changed since then! Just think how different the economy looks now as compared to then, and all we've been through. Anyway, my original hope was that I could build my room for around $2,000, and failing that, surely, I could stay under $4,000. The final total was something a bit over $5,700, not counting the new gear and software I added. A few other numbers I found interesting: 84 sheets of 4' x 8' 5/8” sheetrock used 79 large tubes of Grabber acoustic caulk 2,140 ft of 3/8” backer rod along with smaller quantities of some other sizes. When I bring visitors into my small room and tell them how much sheetrock I used to build it, they look at me like I've lost my mind. I really haven't done any serious recording yet, but have recorded many demos of arrangements of tunes that I want to share with groups I'm currently playing with, as an audio blueprint. I have really enjoyed the isolation, as has the rest of the household. It's so nice to have a place ready to go when the need arises. The acoustics have served me well so far, although I'm anxious to tackle something more serious as soon as time allows. I guess having too many gigs to easily allow that time is a good thing, though it does become frustrating. Though this might not be the correct place for it, I'll mention a few items I've added to the studio: Presonus Firestudio Project recording interface Presonus Faderport Sonar 8 PE upgrade Superior Drummer V 2.0 (for use with my Hart Acupad set) Alesis Trigger I/O (to expand trigger capabilities of Hart set + variable hi-hat control) Various new triggers for the Hart set (hi-hat, hi-hat pedal, and side stick trigger; all Roland) New Studio PC (Windows XP, E8400 3Ghz, 2 Gig RAM) So far I've been very happy with all these purchases. What else is there to say? I'm absolutely no expert in regard to what I've undertaken here, but I would know SO much less, and been so much less successful, had I not had the good fortune to have found this forum, and all the good, knowledgeable, kind and patient folks who dwell here. Thank you all so much! And finally – here are some final photos. I welcome your comments. Thanks again!!!!!

I have to add two more final photos... :D :D :D

saaahweeet :) Isn't your room TOO dead? or have you add some filters in front of the basstrapping. just curious!

Congrats Bill! I bet you'll be able to enjoy it more as time goes by. Do you have any details about that recording sign? Company name on eBay maybe?

Ro wrote:

saaahweeet :) Isn't your room TOO dead? or have you add some filters in front of the basstrapping. just curious!

Thanks Ro!! Well, my room certainly isn't too live! I will say that it isn't even close to being as dead as it was when I had the insulation up in the walls and ceiling before I started putting up sheetrock. As I mentioned earlier, at that point, it felt like the room sucked the sound right out of you when you talked! So yes, the room, is fairly dead, but I have been surprised how much room ambiance I still get when stereo mic'ing (near/far) an acoustic guitar or guitar amp. In studying Ethan's advice, a room this small likely isn't going to have much usable reverb anyway, so maybe it's better this way. And from my measurements, I could probably still use more bass trapping, but not sure where to put it! :D Oh, and no, no filters involved...

Audixium wrote:

Congrats Bill! I bet you'll be able to enjoy it more as time goes by. Do you have any details about that recording sign? Company name on eBay maybe?

Hey thanks Audixium! Good to hear from you. I hope your projects are going well. The ebay user I bought the sign from was mfshop2008, and it worked out very well. They put lots of signs up for auction, so you can probably buy one for very close to the opening bid. Of course coming from China, it takes a little while for shipping, but I wasn't in a hurry. Here's a less flattering photo of the sign. In the previous photo, I had the lights off in the stairway. Thanks for all your comments and encouragement during my project. You too Ro!!