A Harley Fueled "Man Cave Audio" Studio Build! HELP!!!

[Lexinator]

Stained concrete or hard wood, I don't think the ears can tell the difference. The "eyes" might fool the ears

Well, I always hated laminated floors! If I'm gonna spend a lot of money to build a box that my wife will make me live in for the rest of my days, I might as well have a nice floor to pace on... eh?

[Soundman2020]

I used to get accused of telling someone how to build a "nuclear clock" when all they wanted was the time of day...

Used to? You mean there's another way of telling time?

I feel like I'm on the Yellow Brick road to OZ...

Wait your turn and get in line! Take a number! There's lots of us on that very same journey, and you don't get to jump the line!!!! That's how you get started building a studio: A trip to Oz is the compulsory first step, right after you manage to prove to prove that you are legally insane. And like you'll see in the signature of a well-known poster, you should ignore the man behind the curtain....

Seriously, this whole thing is an adventure. It took me a ages to jump in on the forum, and ages more to actually get to a point where I think my design stands a real chance of working. Initially, it seemed like every step I took was dumb, every idea I came up with turned out to be anti-acoustic, and I seemed to be getting dumber as the days went by, as less and less made sense. But hang in there! Eventually you get to the point where the light comes on, and things start falling in place all of a sudden.

Any luck with SketchUp for doing your first model of just the empty shell and a basic idea of layout? If you post that, I'll bet some of the folks here would love to climb in with suggested layouts for you. (I'll be one of them.)

- Stuart -

[Lexinator]

I used to get accused of telling someone how to build a "nuclear clock" when all they wanted was the time of day...

Used to? You mean there's another way of telling time?

Yep. Digital display on yer cell phone.

I feel like I'm on the Yellow Brick road to OZ...

Wait your turn and get in line! Take a number! There's lots of us on that very same journey, and you don't get to jump the line!!!! That's how you get started building a studio: A trip to Oz is the compulsory first step, right after you manage to prove to prove that you are legally insane. And like you'll see in the signature of a well-known poster, you should ignore the man behind the curtain....

Whaaaaa? Hey, time waits for no man, especially not one with a prostate the shape of mine! And, I'm a "line jumper" from way back!

I'm all outta passport pages, I ain't getting no more shots, and my therapist has already certified that I'm... um... er... never mind. And that guy behind the curtain looks suspiciously like Paul Ruebens.

Seriously, this whole thing is an adventure. It took me a ages to jump in on the forum, and ages more to actually get to a point where I think my design stands a real chance of working. Initially, it seemed like every step I took was dumb, every idea I came up with turned out to be anti-acoustic, and I seemed to be getting dumber as the days went by, as less and less made sense. But hang in there! Eventually you get to the point where the light comes on, and things start falling in place all of a sudden.[\quote]

Let's just say I'm "motivated." If I was still 20 (hell, if I still had "hair,") I'd be laid back. But I'm older now, and Death is knockin at the door. So, I've got a "road to hoe, and old boots..."

I appreciate all the detail... and I'm hungry for more... before all the money goes to KICK ME OFF FOR SPAMMING PLEASE!... Yikes!

Any luck with SketchUp for doing your first model of just the empty shell and a basic idea of layout? If you post that, I'll bet some of the folks here would love to climb in with suggested layouts for you. (I'll be one of them.)

I'm workin on it, Stuart... The reason I came here was to get an idea of "the basic layout!" I walk in there and all I can see is a big box!

[xSpace]

Maybe a resubmission of what you want from this room is in order as it relates to rooms, instruments and control area.

Something a little more accessible.

[Lexinator]

Maybe a resubmission of what you want from this room is in order as it relates to rooms, instruments and control area.

Something a little more accessible.

Gee... I'm sorry, I was a little bit wordy, but I didn't mean to be vague... It's all so new to me...

I guess what I really need first is an idea of how much space each room takes, so that I know what I have to work with. This would allow me to tweak the design, and even eliminate stuff that (a) overlaps) and be, is just non-essential.

From the responses I've already gotten, it's clear that there are guys here who can teach you how to build a great quality project. But I think for me, it's a "cart ahead of the horse" thing. I need to figure out if what I'm trying to do is even possible, when balanced against the limitations of the room.

I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless!

So, I thought I'd try to get help defining a basic layout, in the space available. Then, I'd worry about how to actually build it.

I'm not trying to be "ungrateful." I'm trying to be practical, and use reason, and a developed sense of comfort, to assist in building my box. I hope that's understood. I didn't come here to throw rocks, or start squabbles. I outgrew that kind of activity with puberty... sorta!

I've already learned that I have plenty of Isolation. And, that the piano belongs in the main tracking space. And, I've decided that the producers can sit on folding lawn chairs, scattered willy-nilly around the control room. If they don't like it, they can fish for donuts elsewhere!

It's all about "space," baby! And I gotta fill that space between my ears, if I'm gonna get this done!

Thanks for your help, sincerely.

Lexx

[Soundman2020]

I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless!

I know that feeling well. I've had it ever since MY first post on this forum. Except that you actually DO have a decent sized space. If yours is a lifeboat, mine is a half of a life vest. I'm trying to squeeze both a control room and a live room into a single-car garage, that measures barely 6 meters by 3. Well, maybe "rooms" is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe I should say I'm trying to fit a control shoebox and a live matchbox into the space.... So far, in my case, I'm getting the impression that it actually is doable, albeit with limitations, but ones I can live with.

So, if I can do that in a single-car garage, then I reckon you can do what you aim to do in your nuclear bunker!

So I wouldn't be too concerned about whether it is possible to do what you want or not: the answer is "yes". It can be done.

And just to cheer you up and put you in the right frame of mind, take a look at these two builds: I'm sure you'll feel entirely identified!

http://www.johnlsayers.com/Studio/Pages/Container.htm
http://johnlsayers.com/Pages/Spark_1.htm
http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewt ... +container
http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4025


It CAN be done!



- Stuart -

[Soundman2020]

Reality time!

I did some basic SketchUp models for ya:


- Stuart -

[Soundman2020]

So do you have space? You bet! I think you have plenty enough space to do what you want.

Reality check = over.

Result = success!


- Stuart -

[Soundman2020]

Finally, a close up view of the drums and piano, for your viewing pleasure...

If those guys will fit so easily, then yeah, you have the space. You just need to figure out how to use it to the best effect. I'm sure folks here can help you with that, if you give them a rough starting point.

- Stuart -

[Lexinator]

I keep having this nagging feeling that I'm trying to build an aircraft carrier out of a lifeboat. And I'll admit that I'm sc@red sh#tless!

I know that feeling well. I've had it ever since MY first post on this forum. Except that you actually DO have a decent sized space. If yours is a lifeboat, mine is a half of a life vest. I'm trying to squeeze both a control room and a live room into a single-car garage, that measures barely 6 meters by 3. Well, maybe "rooms" is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe I should say I'm trying to fit a control shoebox and a live matchbox into the space.... So far, in my case, I'm getting the impression that it actually is doable, albeit with limitations, but ones I can live with.

It's funny, everybody has a decent read on this one. I get "those skylights will kill you." Or, "there isn't enough height." Or "you can't build more than two rooms." And although all that information overload can get confusing, it actually helps me to see how other people look at my situation, because it forces me to pay attention, and learn everything I can.

That's almost more important to me than the actual build, The knowledge I gain will serve me well, if I am diligent. And, I'll owe much of it to you guys.

So, if I can do that in a single-car garage, then I reckon you can do what you aim to do in your nuclear bunker!

I suspect the only fallout around here will be the rest of my hair!

So I wouldn't be too concerned about whether it is possible to do what you want or not: the answer is "yes". It can be done.

And one of the biggest questions I had to answer was; "Should it be?" I must admit, I really want this.

And just to cheer you up and put you in the right frame of mind, take a look at these two builds: I'm sure you'll feel entirely identified!

The funny thing is that I actually know Mark, and I'm actually trying to help him get that studio sold, so he can build another! That box that he and John built is a marvelous thing! Everybody should have one of those in his backyard!

He's asking $35,000 AUS... That's about $23,000 and change to us Yanks!

[Lexinator]

So do you have space? You bet! I think you have plenty enough space to do what you want.

Reality check = over.

Result = success!

Ah Geez... you shouldn't have... SketchUp has been giving me fits. And at my age, that's not a good thing. It confuses the doctors!

I can hear it now;

"Was it a drug overdose?" A Sex Injury? Old damned age?"

"Nope. SketchUp. He kept mumbling "SketchUp" over and over again, and then he just clutched his chest and keeled over! WTF is "SketchUp?" Is that what they're calling it nowadays? I remember when they just called it "crank.""

Seriously, thanks for the effort. I'm humbled that you'd take time out to do that. Hell, I might just armtwist you for the files, so I can see how you did it. I hate this learnin stuff... It makes my head hurt!

[Lexinator]

Reality time!

I did some basic SketchUp models for ya:

- Stuart -

I don't mean to be picky, but I'm wayyyy rounder than that. And my head is shaved. My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in!

Thank you for doing those. It does help when you can visualize the problems...

I suppose I'll stay with SketchUp. But if I have a stroke, it's on YOUR head...

[Soundman2020]

Aw shucks!!!

Say, it was no big deal! It took me maybe half an hour or so to do that. It's easy when you know how!

Here's the file, if you are interested:

http://www.digistar.cl/images/Harley-Cave.skp


PS. The secret is that there is a huge on-line library of "stuff" that you can download and use in your model.... I didn't build the piano and the drums myself! I just downloaded them on-line....

Now I gave away my secret!


- Stuart -


PPS: "My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in!" Just tell her that's the way you USED to look, before married life came along....

[Lexinator]

Aw shucks!!! ... Now I gave away my secret! PPS: "My wife sees this guy, and she'll trade me in!" Just tell her that's the way you USED to look, before married life came along....

Man, SketchUp has a learning curve! Ouch! I'm still struggling with it.

I've been giving the "space" some thought, and I thought it'd be a good idea to do a "digital pencil sketch" of what I see in my head (because SketchUp is killing me!). Okay, it's not exactly to scale, but it'll give on-lookers an idea of what I was "trying " to create. Now, I already realize that the beast that gets born may look remarkably different, but here's what I was kinda hoping for...

MCA-Concept1.jpg

Remember, I'm thinking 'family' and not 'corporate.' I'm thinking 'arts and crafty' (not Jed Clampett!) not 'high dollar esoteric' (not SONY Billion Dollar Studios).

I'm thinking I do a lot of the construction myself, with the help of "friends." Yeah right, like I actually have friends... Mention beer or Scotch, I have loads. Mention hammers and saws, I have a ghosttown... LOL!

Anyway, I'm talking to a LOT of industry people trying to get some semblance of a start. Man, this gets complicated fast!

Any suggestions would be welcome, unless they're anatomically impossible.

Lexx

[Soundman2020]

Cool! We have a basic plan!

Comments:

1. You have DOUBLE DOORS for you main entrance! Those will be REALLY hard to seal where they meet in the middle. You need two sets of doors, sure, but not double doors.

2. Your main doors are a long way from your CR. You have to walk through the LR to get to all the other rooms.

3. Everyone has to walk through the CR to get to the bathroom! DO you really want a bathroom right in your CR?

4. You have glass at your first reflection points in your CR, on both sides.

Suggestions:

1. Slide your "equip room" and "vocal booth" rearwards, into the spaces currently labeled "bathroom" ahd "shop". This will mean that the glass doors into these rooms will have moved back, out of the first reflection points.

2. Make the "gap" that just opened up in front of the vocal booth into your main entrance, with a three-way sound lock, with entrances into the vocal booth and the live room. That places your main entrance more or less in the middle, and gives you two paths. Also put the bathroom in this area, maybe in between the soundlock and the live room. So the sound leock will be a sort of lobby, with acces to the bathroom / kitchen, the live room, and the vocal booth.

3. In the gap that opened up in front of the "equip room", but the "shop". It makes more sense to have it next to the equipment anyway. You could also have another door form the shop directly into the live room, to give you an extra path there too.

More comments:

5. Your CR seems to be rather squareish. What are the dimensions? And your mix position seems to be more or less in the middle of the room. Not good. IT should be around 38% of the distance between the front wall and the rear wall.


That should get you started!


- Stuart -