Advice on Room Set-up

Hey guys, first post here so I'll try to give all the info that's required of a first time post. Let me know if I missed anything. I've been recording for 20 years, but am only now able to treat my room properly. I'd LOVE any and all assistance that I can get on this project. My goal is to use the Bob Katz's "K System" to track, Mix and Master my songs. I've already bought acoustic foam, (eggcrate style) and foam bass traps 7 feet tall with 1 foot sides. (See Acoustic Foam pic below) I realise I should have asked here first what to purchase, but I did extensive research and opted for what was locally available and within my price range. So my questions are: 1. Is it possible to deaden a room too much? Because my intention is to completely cover the Control Room in Acoustic foam and place foam bass traps behind me. 2. Is the proper placement of the bass traps, as I envision it in my room schematic? (See Control Room pic below) Or is it as this local manufacturer's diagram shows? (scroll down to see it) I always thought they were supposed to be behind me? 3. How do I proceed? Do I measure my room first, with Roger's Digital Inspector, then only apply the acoustic foam in places? Or just completely cover my Control Room, and analyze the room after? Tools I have are: -Mackie HR-824 near-fields, controlled via the Mackie Big Knob command system. -Roger Nichol's Digital Inspector (though I'm still reading the manual, to figure out how to use it) -Bob Katz's Pink Noise Wave. -20db 44,1khz Wave format. -Radio Shack SPL meter. -Motu 24 I/0 Audio Card. Sorry for the complete Newbie questions, but this is my first attempt at this. By the end of it all, with your assistance, I hope to really know what I'm talking about and have a perfectly tuned Control Room. Well that's my goal anyways! Thanks in advance, to anyone who can offer assistance and guidance in this matter. P.S. As far as my budget goes, it's pretty well spent. But if you think there is something I need in addition, let me know and I'll get it. I think I have all the right tools, my questions are centered around how to proceed. Rob,

Rob James wrote:

I've already bought acoustic foam, (eggcrate style) and foam bass traps 7 feet tall with 1 foot sides.

:roll:

Rob James wrote:

1. Is it possible to deaden a room too much? Because my intention is to completely cover the Control Room in Acoustic foam and place foam bass traps behind me.

it is defintely possible to kill off the room high frequency content and end up with mud. http://primacoustic.com/pics/australis_3D.gif shows the manuf recommended installation. put the bass traps in the front corners first. use the foam sparingly to break up echos between the walls and floor-ceiling (use a checkerboard pattern when possible).

Rob James wrote:

2. Is the proper placement of the bass traps, as I envision it in my room schematic? (See Control Room pic below) Or is it as this local manufacturer's diagram shows? (scroll down to see it) I always thought they were supposed to be behind me?

put the traps in the front corners. put foam on the first reflection points on the side walls, ceiling, and back walls. since there are no real published specs ontheir site its hard to even suggest that this product works at all but try to make the best of it

Rob James wrote:

3. How do I proceed? Do I measure my room first, with Roger's Digital Inspector, then only apply the acoustic foam in places? Or just completely cover my Control Room, and analyze the room after?

do not completely cover your room! start out with the bare minimum. 2 traps in the front corners, a few squares on the side walls and ceiling at the first reflection points. and use a checkerboard pattern of squares and wall on the back wall. how does it sound? still too much reverb? well, its partly due to the wrong materials... but since it is what you have, add another checkerboard set of squares on the back part of the ceiling. still too much reverb? try some on the back side walls as well. for the back corners - get some rockwool or other heavy rigid insulation and trap them more properly than the foam will.

Thanks Glen for taking the time to steer me in the right direction, it's appreciated! Looks like I definitely should have made this my FIRST stop, but I only just learned of this informative site, recently. I can now see why you roll your eyes over some of my statements. Oh well, Live and Learn. I'll have to make due with what I have, incorporating your ideas. One last question before I return to construction, is there a way to cut up foam with really smooth, straight edges? Like perhaps an electrically heated string of wire that can melt through the foam? I'd like my Control Room to be esthetically pleasing as well as functional. Once again Glen, thanks for your helpful suggestions. Rob,

i think a foam cutter should work. some folks like electric carving knives and Eric D had posted something a few weeks back in the construction forum regarding tools...