Easton PA Studio Build - FINISHED!

Well hello everybody. Here's my progress shots from this weekend. I used flex-duct to build my heat/AC ducts and returns. To add some 90-degree turns (and to cut down on direct sound energy), I fed each room with ducts that were attached from opposite sides of the main trunk. You'll see the one duct that's attached to the silencer and the other is just hanging out until I get the register boxes mounted. For the return ducts, I tapped into the main return-trunk, (with rivets and acoustic caulk) and for the second one, I branched off of an existing one. You'll see both rooms' rough return-ducts. The live room's duct is the one with black flex-duct attached to a piece of hard-duct. The hard piece is put there so I could run it under the mass of wires that run through the joists without it being crushed. So I'm wondering where I should place these returns. Ceiling, or wall? Second question, I NEED some details on register boxes and how to mount them. In regular installations this would be easy, but for studios I'm wondering what the best method is - and what kinds of boxes everyone is using. I don't know if my daughter Emily is being groomed as a studio builder or a model to sell books - but either way, she saw this post and was pointing at the monitor saying, "that's me, look - it's meeeee!". So her brother wanted in and asked to post a picture of him in the "end-user" state. Enjoy... So here the pics..

:) Name brother please (=more personal)? As a model Emily should certainly succeed. :) I should buy 10 of Rod's books just to be able to buy them 10 times. Brad, can you please read the stickies and shrink your pictures in this thread to the allowed size? Reason, the layout of the forum gets completely scrambled, forcing people to scroll from left right just to read simple text. Thanks

Eric_Desart wrote:

:) Name brother please (=more personal)? As a model Emily should certainly succeed. :) I should buy 10 of Rod's books just to be able to buy them 10 times. Brad, can you please read the stickies and shrink your pictures in this thread to the allowed size? Reason, the layout of the forum gets completely scrambled, forcing people to scroll from left right just to read simple text. Thanks

My son is David. And I just made the change (picture size) on my camera - nipped in the bud!! I kept meaning to do that, sorry guys...

bump.... Duct registers... An details on them? Pictures? Anything?

Brad, For what its worth, and in reference to your vent question above, I will give you my 2 cents. I went with an Airiva ( http://www.suncourt.com/Airiva_instructions.html ) heat recovery ventilator. It was cheaper then the Fantech brand, and so far seems to work fine. (was like $400.00). I also went against the norm, and instead of putting vent holes in my exterior walls of the building (for the outside fresh air), I just put ducts so that the air circulates between the tracking (cutting) room and the control room. Codes was fine with this as long as there IS constant fresh air in the control room (which there is), and no "burning" devices that can give off CO. (which there isnt). Also dont vent to or from an attic due to insulation, stale air, etc. Anyway, so far it works fine, and its VERY quiet. I am about a week or so of soldering, away from moving in. I am just waiting for that to happen now, then I will post pictures of the completed Studio. :D Have fun with your build,,,,,its quite the experience. Also everyone have a wondeful Thanksgiving!!! :wink: AJ

Brad, Congrats on your build! Hats off to you for doing your homework and taking things serious. I'm looking forward to following your progress. I'm also working on my build also. I'm actually killing time waiting for the county inspector to show up today :shock: I'm curious to see what he says about the double wall framing and puddy pads? The inspectors in my county like to point out fire blocking issues with framing but double walls totally blows that out of the water! With use of fire rated puddy pads and doube R39 fire bat insulation, they shouldn't have a problem.....we'll see what they say. Keep up the good work. Dan Scott

Dan Scott wrote:

Brad, Congrats on your build! Hats off to you for doing your homework and taking things serious. I'm looking forward to following your progress. I'm also working on my build also. I'm actually killing time waiting for the county inspector to show up today :shock: I'm curious to see what he says about the double wall framing and puddy pads? The inspectors in my county like to point out fire blocking issues with framing but double walls totally blows that out of the water! With use of fire rated puddy pads and doube R39 fire bat insulation, they shouldn't have a problem.....we'll see what they say. Keep up the good work. Dan Scott

Thanks for the kind words Dan! What is the link to your build, I'd like to watch yours as well... It's funny, my wife thinks I'm nuts - because these build-diaries are like porno to us builders! She looks at me and says, "your drooling, what are you looking at, girls? Porn? Guitars?" :shock: "No honey, look at all that 703 - its so sexy and yellow, the way it soaks up all those frequencies, and wow, check out those fat-ass bass traps." :D - B

BradJacob wrote:

It's funny, my wife thinks I'm nuts - because these build-diaries are like porno to us builders! She looks at me and says, "your drooling, what are you looking at, girls? Porn? Guitars?" :shock: "No honey, look at all that 703 - its so sexy and yellow, the way it soaks up all those frequencies, and wow, check out those fat-ass bass traps." :D - B

Hahahaha!!! Ain't it the truth??? I got done working in the studio last night, and was absolutely EXHAUSTED from 3 long days down there (I have a whole new appreciation for construction laborers now that I have done all this work!), and STILL had to find a way to post some pictures and check the other build threads before coming to bed! She thinks I am absolutely nuts! Beautiful family you have there Brad! They MUST look like your wife!!! Haha!!! :) As mine grow up, it is kind of sad to see the pictures of them as little tikes! My youngest is 12 now, and my oldest is 18. It is crazy how fast they grow up... enjoy each and every moment with them that you can. Each moment in time comes around ONLY ONCE, and if you miss it, it is gone forever. I go to every play, gathering, field trip, baseball game, soccer game, etc. that I can, and treasure every minute of it! Oh, and the studio is looking good too!!! ;) I have no expertise in HVAC stuff, so I can offer you no advice, but I do wish I had built some silencers. When I re-do the live room next year, that is my plan. Good luck, and keep on pushing! It will be well worth it, and as you said earlier, it beats the hell out of what you had before!

Brad, that's Funny :lol: :lol: You know where they got the shape of the guitar right? and recording studios are just plain sexy! There's just something about all the equipment and rack gear. I love all the little buttons and knobs, etc. not to mention the lights when all the equipment is turned on :shock: Well, after I finished my post to your thread, I walked out into the studio and the inspector was in there checking things out. Needless to say he was very impressed and I'm clear to insulate!!! :D Here is the link to my thread for anyone who's interested in keeping up. http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9584

Dan & DH - Thanks guys for the kinds words about my build and especially my family. I'm blessed with good kids that are cute AND healthy. :D And BOTH of your build-diaries have helped me out quite a bit. 8) Dan, I'm going to run my snake the way your pictures show. :wink: DH - because of you, I bought putty pads and backer rod...(who knew) lol: We all cross-polinate each other's knowledge here - what a GREAT site!! :wink: :wink:

At the risk of repeating myself or pissing anyone off, I'm still a bit confused. I've been back and forth reading a lot about HVAC, codes, and I'm more confused about "what" to do at this point than when I began :shock: My rooms are simple and small. Each one has a supply duct and return duct. My central-air/furnace system does NOT have a fresh air supply into the system - so my home's air (and studio rooms) gets supplied with "recycled" air. My house & studio relies on opening windows/doors for fresh air. Two(2) questions: 1. By me and (other musicians) being in the air-tight studio, will we consume/depleat all the oxegen contained in the air that's circulating through the house by the normal central air/furnace system? 2. Because my inspectors over here are SO UNBELIEVABLY LAX**, I want to take safety into my own hands. So, can I install some 4" hard-duct, from my return trunk out of the house through the siding with a screen - will that be enough to supply (or augment) my system with fresh air? I'm figuring that any air brought into the system this way will be cooled and-or warmed. ** My inspector walked in and never saw anythig like I was building. He was in for apporx 3 minutes - and that's becasue I was telling him what I was doing. They don't require any insulation inspection, or fire stops, nothing!! It's really unbelieveable.

i think you also need a pressure relief to the outside as well once you're connecting to the outside for the air intake. I think Rod had pointed that out on another post but it may have been on another forum as well...

Ok, so I just got the hang of Sketchup. Here's a couple concept pix... (this program is pretty impressive)

I'm at a stand-still :shock: I'm ready to insulate my walls. But before I begin, (and I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier), but regarding my windows in the basement, is it OK that I framed a wall right over them? Is this a complete NO-NO, or am I cleared for take-off? Will there be any issues with moisture, mold, anything? The basement wall that has these windows faces the EAST, so there is direct sun hitting the window for an hour or two - until it gets high enough in the sky, and then moves over the house entirely. So if I'm missing anything, PLEASE let me know, in the meantime, I'll begin insulating the other walls. :wink:

While waiting on and suggestions on the basement window situation, I got busy with running my snake. I devised a method of mounting it that is made up an electric box and a compression fitting and a clamp. I've also posted something that I'm hoping SOMEONE can offer some suggestions on as per my supply register.

Here is the picture of my register. I will adjust it to achieve the correct ceiling height. I figured I would install one layer, then mount the tabs, then install the second layer? Is this the correct way to install these registers?

BradJacob wrote:

Here is the picture of my register. I will adjust it to achieve the correct ceiling height. I figured I would install one layer, then mount the tabs, then install the second layer? Is this the correct way to install these registers?

That will work fine.

BradJacob wrote:

While waiting on and suggestions on the basement window situation, I got busy with running my snake. I devised a method of mounting it that is made up an electric box and a compression fitting and a clamp.

It isn't code compliant - it looks like it would be ok. - but it definately is NOT code compliant. Typically - a break-out box would be done with a full panel installed - then you would install the bushings to protect the cable as it passed into the panel - you would usually end with a single lock type plug assembly to join your drops out of the panels into the rooms, aslthough you could have a coil of cable (that terminated as I see in your pics) left inside the panel itself. Otherwise you just use the assembly uyou have an build it into the wall (more normal construction type in a pro studio). BUT I SEE SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS ME - 2 things in fact. The first is that I do not like the location of what appears to be a vapor barrier that is going to force condensation on both sides of it - that should be on the warm side of the room where you live. That is a clear poly - looks like mabe a 6 mil - installed behind the metal framing up against the concrete wall isn't it? The other is (and here I thought you had my book for some reason)........ but you have created what is a very serious offence when doing any wiring that includes critical low voltage signal wiring and line voltage wiring. They should NEVER be run side by each - if they HAVE to cross paths it should always be at a 90 - and then still always as far apart as you can run them - but they should never ever EVER be run parallel to one another - especially within 2 or 3 feet - That is why I explain in the book that I always run my LV wiring low - and run my line voltage high (meaning the top of the wall or through the ceiling - then you simply drop straight down to a box for power and straight up to a panel or break-out box for your signal lines. Then they never have to even cross paths - and you don't create the possibility of 60 cycle electrical interference (or any other sort of EMI) making noise in your recordings......... do you have other places where this is happening? It really is a serious concern - it will be a nightmare if this were to happen,.,,,,,,,, you can't generally fix a problem with this by just installing some filters or feeding power through a clean power supply with a faraday case as a part of the assembly (something you can do at the panel location if needs be). If the wiring in this room is run like this in general you truly have a nightmare on your hands - I cannot stress this enough. Sincerely, Rod

rod gervais wrote:

The first is that I do not like the location of what appears to be a vapor barrier that is going to force condensation on both sides of it - that should be on the warm side of the room where you live. That is a clear poly - looks like mabe a 6 mil - installed behind the metal framing up against the concrete wall isn't it?

On the money! Yes - exactly, 6 mil. The warm part of the room, I'm not sure I know what you mean? I put it there from habit - usually when basements are finished, the vapor barriers are installed in this manner. So for a studio situation like this, is the best bet to just take it down?

rod gervais wrote:

The other is (and here I thought you had my book for some reason)........ but you have created what is a very serious offence when doing any wiring that includes critical low voltage signal wiring and line voltage wiring. do you have other places where this is happening?

Yeah, I missed that... I think a bad habit that I have, is that when I think I "know" something (for regular, non-studio construction), I simple just glance over the topic. I'm finding out more and more that this is not good :roll: Luckily, this is the only place. I'll fix that today before I begin. And again, that vapor-barrier - should I take it off? THANKS brother, you saved my ass! (I know these posts from some of us newbie-studio builders can be real draining, but you're doing GREAT things and for that you're a good person. I can't thank you enough for all the free-info I've got from you and others here on the forum. For us, it really means alot)

BradJacob wrote:

rod gervais wrote:

The other is (and here I thought you had my book for some reason)........ but you have created what is a very serious offence when doing any wiring that includes critical low voltage signal wiring and line voltage wiring. do you have other places where this is happening?

Yeah, I missed that... I think a bad habit that I have, is that when I think I "know" something (for regular, non-studio construction), I simple just glance over the topic. I'm finding out more and more that this is not good :roll: Luckily, this is the only place. I'll fix that today before I begin.

Don't feel bad, I had the same problem at one spot in my build too, but the bad thing is that I *knew* this, and wasn't thinking! I joined two AC boxes together that are going to be on the same circuit, and just ran the wire between the 2 without thinking. I stated looking at what I had, and all of a sudden, it hit me like a ton of bricks! I posted here for confirmation, and then yanked out the wire, and ran it up high, and then over, and then down to the second box. It is easy to get caught up in all the crap that we have to remember when you are an amateur like me. It is great to have the pros like Rod around that can spot this stuff in a heartbeat! Keep on pushing Brad... Getting closer and closer!

doublehelix wrote:

Keep on pushing Brad... Getting closer and closer!

Thanks DH. :wink: I corrected that little snafu... LUCKY for me, the wiring was a 15 minute job. BOTH of those offending outlets were the last in the line. So I just ran up the stud, over and down. A snap! :wink: Now I'm about to begin the WORSE part of my build: yes boys & girls, INSULATION :cry: I going to dress up in my space suit and just give it hell until it's done. :twisted:

You should remove the vapor barrier - and then after you finish all of the insulation - Just before drywall - you should reinstall it inside of the room - (that is the warm side). ANywhere that has what you have now has it wrong - you will have problem with condensation soaking up in your isolation and rusting out your metal studs.......... Rod

BradJacob wrote:

Now I'm about to begin the WORSE part of my build: yes boys & girls, INSULATION

That is what I thought too, until I entered the HELL that is DRYWALL!!! Maybe you are used to it, and that is cool, but the worst part of the job for me so far has been the drywall. I shudder to think about it!!!

Ok - so I changed a couple things. I removed the wrongly place vapor barrier and re-routed the AC line that was only inches from my recording snake. Thanks Rod for pointing that out. Having a 60 cycle hum and finding out the reason was wrongly place wires would have made me totally loose my mind :shock: Also today, I insulated most of the wall surfaces. I have one wall in the control room that I need to rock one side of first, so I can insulate it. But after that, sheet-rocking starts full-bore. :D I'm looking forward to it because I actually enjoy it, and also because it means I'm getting closer to the end. :D Below are some pix of the corrected snake situation and the insulation progress. And finally, here's my list of unfinished tasks to be completed. I'll post update-pictures as each task is completed: 1. Sheetrock one side of wall and finish insulating walls. 2. Insulate ceiling. 3. Connect supply & return registers 4. Install Isomax clips on both rooms. 5. Sheetrock backer rod/caulk. 6. Mud & sanding. 7. Painting. 8. Electrician to install outlets & track lighting. 9. Build bass traps & panels. 10. Build console-desk & Move in!! - Later 4 now...

And here's a couple quick pix of my control room in Sketchup.