John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

I am new to the recording world and work within Pro-Tools so far I am self taught and have enjoyed some success recording bands and collaborating with many musicians on recording projects. I enjoy using Pro-Tools TDM system running Control24.
This is a great time as I have investigated due to this being a new build the first issue is going to be stopping sound from escaping this room. The room will be 20X26 with 16" cathedral ceilings running next to my living room kitchen so I was working on soundproofing ideas for this room?
I just do not know the ins and outs of a design for a great working space that can double as a live practice space for the bands I jam with (Hard driving Rock/Blues) and work as a good recording room. I want to put in a control room for mixing/listening & drum room since I am a drummer with a multitude of percussion instruments. I need some sound proofing ideas for the structure. I was starting with a stagared stud wall construction 2X6 insulated and was going to put mass loaded vinyl sound barrier on the interior side with 2-layers of drywall 1/2" & 5/8" on a concrete slab is this a good start for keeping neighbors happy? I have many other problems and information for inside design but need to start at A and do more research?
Please feel free to give suggestions and can tell you I never realized how much thought needs to go into a project like this, I was told 90% planning 10% construction.
This forum has helped me realize many sound related issues that I could have corrected in my current set up & learn from the many who have posted on this forum.
Thanks Mr. Sayers & all at this forum you have given me information that will help in many areas of this process.
"Im just a drummer in a rock-n-roll band"

Thanks
Tim Bartoszek
[/url]www.rocksyde.com

t bartoszek wrote:...the first issue is going to be stopping sound from escaping this room. The room will be 20X26 with 16" cathedral ceilings running next to my living room kitchen . . . I was starting with a stagared stud wall construction 2X6 insulated and was going to put mass loaded vinyl sound barrier on the interior side with 2-layers of drywall 1/2" & 5/8" on a concrete slab is this a good start for keeping neighbors happy?...

Welcome to the forum, T.

First off, I'm not the expert around here, so these are just some initial thoughts and questions to help you get things going here.

Staggered stud construction is better than nothing, but double walls (separate framing) is much better. with 20' x 26', I would think you could afford the extra few inches of floor space needed.

I have many other problems and information for inside design but need to start at A and do more research? Please feel free to give suggestions and can tell you I never realized how much thought needs to go into a project like this, I was told 90% planning 10% construction.

I couldn't agree more with the 90/10 rule. Unfortunately, I'm betting we don't have nearly enough detail about your situation for anyone to make any constructive recommendations at this point, beyond this...

Definitely read, reread, and then reread again all the announcements and stickies on the forum. Of particular importance is the vital Reference Area Thread, which is a good cross-section of frequently asked questions and critical concepts that need to be well understood before going any further.

Once you've fully educated yourself in the fundamentals, then perhaps you can post back with details of your current environment -- as much detail as possible, including how the building is constructed, size and spacing of ceiling and floor joists, makeup of existing wall construction, etc. Although no two projects are alike, some careful searches in the forum are bound to yield some similar to yours.

Good luck...

Sharward
I will continue to work on more details, since this is not built yet and I am starting from the ground up I will have many options. I am going to get the building plans from an archetect friend that is attempting to help, but worry because he is a house builder and has no idea what I am talking about. I think I will set him in my current drum room and do a 10 min solo and he will get the picture and a better understanding of why the soundproffing will be important in this new build. He is ging to get me good dimensions and some pics this week.
Thanks for your reply and good luck with your project I did visit your build.
Thanks
Tim B.
http://www.rocksyde.com

t bartoszek wrote:(I) worry because he is a house builder and has no idea what I am talking about.

You should worry. When it comes to soundproofing, someone can do 99 things right and one thing wrong, and the one wrong thing can either partially or completely ruin the effects of the 99 correct things. In fact, it's possible for the outcome to be worse than if nothing had been done at all, depending on how catastrophic the one mistake is!

I think I will set him in my current drum room and do a 10 min solo and he will get the picture and a better understanding of why the soundproffing will be important in this new build.

Yeah, it's always kind of amusing to get the reaction of people when they realize just how loud drums actually are -- especially in a rock context!

Thanks for your reply and good luck with your project I did visit your build.

Thanks, Tim. Right back at ya'.