Design ideas for space constraints?

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Tue May 06, 2003 8:10 am

Hi all, I'm working on building a home studio in my basement. The space I have to work with is like an inverted L shape, more like a number 7 in this case. The bottom or longer part of the L is about 11' wide x 14' long, and the upper part of the L, the short part, is about 9' long x 6' wide. I almost would rather not use the other part of the L and stick with the 11x14 room. The door into the room is on the bottom left of the L shape. Any ideas here as far as layout? I don't think I need a separate room, I was planning on doing everything in the same room, playing, recording and monitoring. Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Andrew Gray, Fairbanks, Alaska

Post by **John Sayers** » Tue May 06, 2003 10:10 am

Hi Andrew - any chance of a drawing?? you can download a trial version of smartdraw form http://www.smartdraw.com

cheers
john

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Tue May 06, 2003 12:19 pm

John, I actually have Smart Draw, and here is a crude drawing of the space I'm working with. Thanks! Andrew

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Wed May 07, 2003 4:46 am

I guess I'm just not sure if this can be done. I want to do everything regarding playing, monitoring, recording, mixing, etc. in one room. I have a computer based recording system, and I am the artist and the recording engineer all in one. The layout seems like it'd be tricky, so I have absolutely no ideas. I'm angling the walls within the existing walls, and also angling the ceiling to break up any parallelism. Any ideas for a layout? I play mostly guitar and record vocals, and I'd like the room for others to play with me in there if possible. Hmmmm.... Any help you could offer John would be most appreciated! Thanks, Andrew

Post by **John Sayers** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:36 am

ah - that's better -so do you want to use the whole space or just the right section. You appear to have enough room for maybe a small booth to stick an amp into or put vocals, or is all the work going to be your own??

cheers
john

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:55 am

John,

I'd prefer to use just the right section, but I'm open to using the other section as well. I will be doing all the music, yes, with maybe someone else singing vocals from time to time... Any ideas? Thanks, Andrew

Post by **John Sayers** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:32 am

something like this?/

cheers
john

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:50 am

Hmmm. I think that might take up too much of the space. What I didn't mention is that off to the left of the other space (top left) has to be access to utilities (water pump, heater, etc.) and any room set up there on the left would get in the way of access to it. Maybe I'll wait until I build my addition on my house, then I'll make a bigger and more ideal studio space...I could turn the room right now into a makeshift studio. Unless I can constrain it all to the right side of the space (the 11 x 14 space), I'll probably scrap my idea. Any suggestions how to do it in just the right side space? Thanks so much for your time, it is invaluable! Andrew

Post by **John Sayers** » Wed May 07, 2003 12:24 pm

Any suggestions how to do it in just the right side space?

sure. make it smaller.

cheers
john

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Thu May 08, 2003 6:34 am

John, Do the side walls *have* to be so angled? I've been reading a lot about acoustics and design building, and have read that 1' out for every 10' of length will eliminate any standing waves. Would that work, and the rest be corrected with other measures? Otherwise I end up working in a closet. Thanks, Andrew

amgray · Post by **amgray** » Thu May 08, 2003 6:35 am

Also, John, do you have any libraries for Smart Draw you use for the workstation images, or did you make those? You did a neat angled desk that I don't see anywhere in Smart Draw...

Post by **John Sayers** » Thu May 08, 2003 8:50 am

1:10 will give a wall at 5.7 degrees. I have to say thet from my experience you need around 12 degrees to stop standing waves.

If you made each wall 1:10 you'd be OK.

I don't have those as libraries, I just copy and paste. I'll figure a way to get them to you.

cheers
john

giles117 · Post by **giles117** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 1:08 am

Hey John we have been discussing my FINAL resting place for as studio. I am working the numbers to get the land and put the shell up so we can do this Major studio (This will be total fun) I should have all things resolved by September so we can start to move forward.

But.... In the meantime

I like the design for this CR. As you recall I am a mixer so I like a controlled sound IN the room.

I have a room that is exactly the size of this one. And I just got another project to mix, so I will build something like this over the next 2 weeks. LOL

WHat a trip.. build a room just to mix 1 project (AMEN!!!!)

AS I am interested in GOOD bass trapping and control of standing wave are there any alterations to this plan I should consider?

Keep in mind that the rear wall of my spot has a small opening to another room. (Can't be moved, load bearing wall. And I am not tearing out, just adding to. I can use some of that room for a bass trap cavity. Any ideas????

Bryan Giles

Realize, no walls will move I am just building my room in this room.

Thanks.

AS soon as I get pricing on the lad (200'x120') I wll let you know cuz at that point we should be 3 months from completion.

Also, this place has a 9' ceiling, Any suggestions for treating the ceiling??

Thanks in advance. I am looking forward to the fun we are gonna have.

Post by **John Sayers** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 10:20 am

AS I am interested in GOOD bass trapping and control of standing wave are there any alterations to this plan I should consider?

Bryan- For rooms like this there are two major factors. The angled walls not only stop the standing waves they direct the sound down the room to the rear wall. The direct sound from each speaker (remember the highmids up are coming directionaly from the speaker at around 30 degrees spread) is going to pass you, hit the adjacent wall and reflect back. The idea is for it not to come back at you as a first reflection, but to pass you and get sucked up in the rear wall which is the second major factor. You don't want short early reflections coming at you from the rear because it confuses the image you are hearing from the speakers.

Hey - I'm looking forward to coming to the US, fingers crossed

:)

cheers
john

giles117 · Post by **giles117** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:56 am

Thanks John.

I started framing today. The only mod I made was to do the angled back wall I have seen in outher plans sorta lkike a very wide W. I did so at a 6 degree angle from each rear side wall corner to make up that back wall.

I am stuffing all the trangle walls with R-25 on the studio side wall and I framed a wall inside the room between the studio wall and existing wall. I am stuffing R-13 in there.

I am planning on doing the slats on that rear wall. Will it be a major deal to concern myself with the rear side walls as far as slats are concerned? Hope not, not trying to spend a ton for a temp studio. Just need my projects coming out better than now.

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