Mixroom + Iso design, how to use the space I have

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Who am I: I’m Joshua Smith

Where am I located: Burbank, California

Where is the facility: in a warehouse turned recording studio in Burbank. There’s a bunch of small rooms in here and I’ve been given a spot.

What I want to do: To design a layout for a mix room with one small iso booth. It’s a pretty small warehouse area, so it can be a small iso, enough for a vocalist or guitar amp only, it’s not a very large space. The ceiling is over 10’ but weird shaped so I plan on making a ceiling.

What are the dimensions: HLW: 10’ x 15’ 7” x 11’ 10”
The ceiling is a bit higher than 10’ but it’s oddly shaped and I’ll be making a ceiling

How loud am I: I mix medium to low volume on my NS10s, but I do record the occasional vocalist, acoustic guitar, or combo amp.


How much can I afford: I’m trying to keep it under $5k but I can go higher.


Where am I now with the project: Just planning stage.

Other: The door is already there,

Some people have told me that the room is too small for an ISO and I should recording vocals, guitars, etc inside the control room. I just don’t know if my ears can take the level of headphones blaring all the time. Even decent isolated headphones bleed. I’d like to have an ISO, but just not sure how to incorporate it into the design.


Below are some ballpark sketches I did with a demo program.

Thanks!

-Joshua

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Anyone?

[Soundman2020]

I didn't notice any questions in your original post... It's difficult to answer questions that aren't there!

- Stuart -

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Oh.... I was wondering what would be the best way to use the open space I have? It's not very big area, so I kind of drew up some ideas based on what I've seen across the internet. Are any of these ideas close to being usable? Am I way off? Is the space just too small to have a decent mix room AND iso booth?

With about 1" of open space on all sides, the entire room within a room would be:
15’ 7” x 11’ 10”

The ceiling of the outer structure is well over 10' (I'm thinking more like 13+)but I'm making a room inside a room and so thinking about sloping the ceiling up at a slight angle of 12% starting at 10' from the mixing desk position.

[Soundman2020]

I would suggest that you buy two books and study them carefully: "Master Handbook of Acoustics" by F. Alton Everest, and "Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros", by Rod Gervais. Those will give you the background you need in acoustics and in construction.

Probably your top option is closest to something that makes sense, but you are wasting a lot of space there, and not isolation very much at the same time. For example, your sound lock is not necessary and uses up useful space. You do not need to splay the walls of the CR, unless you want a full RFZ-type design, in which case the angles are wrong. And you are also wasting space by cutting off the front and rear corners of the room, which could be used for bass trapping and speaker soffits.

- Stuart -

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Thanks Stuart!

Also, I'll definitely pick up the book: Master Handbook of Acoustics" by F. Alton Everest, I already have Rod's book.

Thanks!

-Joshua