John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Hi all,

I am building a studio in a basement area which measures 18'X30'X8' (the 8' represents the finished ceiling height after new constuction is complete)

I am experimenting with a number of layouts, but I keep returing to the concept of basing the studio around 1 large room.

Since I spend alot probably 2/3 of my time either mixing or tracking myself, and < 1/3 of my time tracking bands, I figure 1 large room that acts as both a mixing room and a live room is the way to go.

This idea is informed by the concept that larger rooms are nicer for mixing, as well as tracking. In a space 18X30 (and I have to leave 11'X3' for a staircase) it seems I only have space for 1 large room, maybe 18'x13' and then several smaller rooms around it.

One of the smaller rooms could double as a "tracking" control room for scenarious (such as tracking a string quartet) where I need isolation from performers in the large room.

So my questions:

1) Anyone have any opinions of/experience with that sort of studio layout?
2) In general, is having a larger control room (around 17-20' long dimension ... >11' behind the mix position) for mixing an overrated consideration?
3) Does it seem feasible to fit 5 isolated spaces (drums, piano, upright bass, horn, engineer) in an 18X30 (minus staircase) area or am I tripping?

or am I tripping?

no:) you are not tripping. 18 foot is an acceptable control room depth IMO. So if youy lay your control along the 18' direction you still have plenty of space for other rooms. Check out Sonar Studios at http://johnlsayers.com/Studio/index.htm - it's a similar size, maybe a little smaller.

cheers
john

Hmmm,

I had checked out the Sonar layout before, and it seems to be bigger, though maybe my feet-to-meters calcs are off ... and it only has three rooms, instead of 4 or 5.

Also, if I lay out the large room sideways, it will somehow end up being <16 feet long, due to wall construction and whatnot.

Still Ok for control room depth in your opinion?

Anyway, I guess you think the control room/live room idea is a viable option? Most of my layouts are based on it, and I like the idea so far.

Sonar is 15.7ft x 41 ft so it's longer but shorter. You are going to squeeze to get more than the three rooms in that space. 16 ft is OK for a decent control room depth.

cheers
john