What is a good way to help determine dimensions for a room build.
I'm trying to build something from the ground up. We're still figuring out the final dimensions and space we have. It's between 200 and 400 sq ft. From what I understand, you don't want dimensions that are (1x2x3) proportionally. Some if I say, ok - 300 sq ft is what we have. What's the best way to design the shape of the room? Without knowing I would say 10x20x9 ft or so. Is it better to use 12x18x9 or 14x16 etc.
This is a single room build. Ground up. Will be poring Slab. Pacific Northwest.
I hope that makes sense.
I feel like this is possibly an important first step in determining what will work.
Studio build questions
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johnyclash
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Soundman2020
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Re: Studio build questions
Hi Johnny. Please read the forum rules for posting (click here). You seem to be missing a couple of things! 
Answering that question is what I do for a living, but also what I do for free to a certain extent, here on the forum.
OK, firstly it seems you are talking about "room ratio", and the purpose of having a good ratio is to have good modal response. If you don't know what the term "modal response" means, then I'd suggest that you read the book: "Master Handbook of Acoustics" by F. Alton Everest. Once you have read that, then you can use these two calculators to help you choose our room ratio, based on one of the good ratios (such as Sepmeyer or Louden), but at the very least inside of the Bolt area:
http://www.bobgolds.com/Mode/RoomModes.htm
http://amroc.andymel.eu/
Both of those will provide all the information you need to decide what the best ratio is for your room.
But that won't answer all of your questions about room acoustics: to do that, you'll need to take a look at the ITU document BS.1116-2, which defines the acoustic properties that a room needs to have in order to be suitable for "critical listening".
It will then take another six months to a year to actually build the place, assuming you are going to do most of the work yourself,or at least a couple of months, if you hire a contractor to do it all for you.
So realistically, if you start the process right now, you will have a completed studio by the end of 2018, and the total cost will have been somewhere in the very general region of US$ 60,000. Is that roughly what you are considering, in terms of timing and budget?
- Stuart -
You didn't way what the primary purpose of the room is, but since you are asking about ratios, I assume this is going to be mainly a control room?What is a good way to help determine dimensions for a room build.
That's actually a MUCH bigger question that you probably realize! It's a huge question. It's not something that can be answered in a few words. It's the reason why studio designers exist, and why I have a job!What's the best way to design the shape of the room?
Answering that question is what I do for a living, but also what I do for free to a certain extent, here on the forum.OK, firstly it seems you are talking about "room ratio", and the purpose of having a good ratio is to have good modal response. If you don't know what the term "modal response" means, then I'd suggest that you read the book: "Master Handbook of Acoustics" by F. Alton Everest. Once you have read that, then you can use these two calculators to help you choose our room ratio, based on one of the good ratios (such as Sepmeyer or Louden), but at the very least inside of the Bolt area:
http://www.bobgolds.com/Mode/RoomModes.htm
http://amroc.andymel.eu/
Both of those will provide all the information you need to decide what the best ratio is for your room.
But that won't answer all of your questions about room acoustics: to do that, you'll need to take a look at the ITU document BS.1116-2, which defines the acoustic properties that a room needs to have in order to be suitable for "critical listening".
Then you will also need to read the book "Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros", by Rod Gervais, to find out how to design the structure of a recording studio, and you will need to read other books on structural engineering as it applies to monolithic concrete slabs. You will also need to hire a structural engineer to check your structural design and your calculations to make sure they meet code, and to put his signature on the documents that you present to your local authorities, in order to get your building permit and arrange your inspections at each stage of the process.This is a single room build. Ground up. Will be poring Slab.
If you have never done this before, then it's going to take quite a while to learn how to do it. There's a LOT of stuff that goes into studio design. Realistically, it will take you six months to a year to learn all you need to know and actually complete the full design, to the point where you can present the plans to the authorities and get their stamp of approval so you can dig the hole and pour the concrete, then build your studio on top of that a few weeks later...I'm trying to build something from the ground up. ... I feel like this is possibly an important first step in determining what will work.
It will then take another six months to a year to actually build the place, assuming you are going to do most of the work yourself,or at least a couple of months, if you hire a contractor to do it all for you.
So realistically, if you start the process right now, you will have a completed studio by the end of 2018, and the total cost will have been somewhere in the very general region of US$ 60,000. Is that roughly what you are considering, in terms of timing and budget?
- Stuart -