This forum is grrrreat!! John Sayers is a saint!!
I'm not sure exactly where this post belongs Studio Design or Acoustics? It's a bit of both but I won't double post it! (Please move at will if need be)
I'm in the research / planning stage of updating my studio furnishings. I occupy a small room which was actually designed as the vocal booth for the main control room which is adjacent.
I am about to rewire / rearrange my gear and get new furniture made. I figure now would be a great time to look at some kind of acoustic treatment that my help my sound and design it with that in mind. I want to replace my current cocktail of furniture, with the possible exception of my speaker stands, with custom tailored stuff. I figure I can raise my stands with blocks if need be.
Approximate room dimensions:
H 213cm 7'
W 359cm 7' 10"
L 359cm 11' 9"
Sketchup File Here!!
I am currently having problems with accurate bass response, which I understand is typical for room this size however I'd like to know if there is anything I can do on a reasonable budget that can minimize this (less that £300 is ideal up to £600 may be possible and with a firm imperative push I might find more).
I need removable solutions as my stay here may not be permanent and I can't really mess with the existing walls. The room has been built well, as you can see in the pics, with fabric covered wooden frames in front of insulated, rockwool treated walls. There is a hung ceiling which is quite low (about 7').
The glass in the window is angled downwards slightly on my side but still probably has an unwanted effect on what I hear, reflections and stereo imaging etc.
The height of my speaker stands is 90.5cm 3'
My Plans
Some of the key points to my plans include.
- Minimize reflections and bass problems
- Optimize positioning of speakers, surfaces and racks to facilitate good imaging etc.
- Putting all rack gear below waist height, with the exception of a 2U wide 3 or 4U high enclosure between the speakers, below the desks monitor screen. This should improve symmetry. I think I'll want a similar structure above my piano keyboard that my second board will sit on top of enabling me to house some more bits at an optimum position.
- Maximizing the use of space below surfaces that will house the mixing desk and the keyboard and also possibly create a third surface, on the right hand side, that will have a couple racks underneath, 14U high perhaps
- Build some kind of isobox for my mac and the desk's CPU and other potential noisy gear. (I record with the artist and the mic in the same room.)
I am not a great builder of things but my idea is to develop some plans and designs and find someone, greater than me, to build my furniture(I have someone in mind, he just doesn't know it yet. lol).
My thoughts and ideas so far
I have looked at the idea of getting RealTraps (Mondos) but am not sure how suitable they would be as I can't place them in the advised manor at the back of the room (two per corner one on door one on wall) as doors need to be able to open fully, one is a fire escape. They are also damn expensive here in the UK!
I also can't place these in top back corners as there is not an adequate distance between the the top of the doors and the ceiling.
Questions
Do you have any ideas on what would be the best position of speakers / mixing desk in this room? Including the height and angle of the speakers in relation to the desk and the height of the ceiling, distance from walls etc.?
What would be the best way of minimizing bass problems in this room? How much of an improvement can I realistically expect?
Would bass traps in the front corners be of significant help?
Should I seek to place my monitor speakers in corner soffits / bass traps or keep the stands and traps separate?
I figure RealTraps Mondo traps would be the best off the shelf solution. Is this true? Are there any as effective with bass that you'd recommend? (Cheaper in the UK?) Should I get traps custom built? Get Auralex?
Can you think of any practical ideas to combat the reflections that I may be getting from the window whilst mixing? An easily removable and flexible solution? (I am going to need to see through the window when not mixing.)
Isoboxes are expensive to buy. Any tips on building them? Plans I could look at?
It would be useful to know what the ideals are even if it's over budget. I'd like to know what is possible. Sorry for asking so many questions!!!
Thanks for your input and help in advance!
J
P.S. Don't you just love Sketchup!!??!?
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