studio build acoustics ?

[kkfaudio]

Hello everyone..

I'm looking for a little advice on how to deal with the ceiling in what will soon be my new "mixing post audio from home" space.

At this point I've got exposed ceiling joists, 24" o/c, 2 x 8. If I close it in with drywall, I'll be left with a 7' ceiling, so I'm wondering about any detriments to leaving it uncovered.

I will be using spray foam insulation ( I need to winterize the space ) so I would be left with an uneven finish... Good or bad? I don't care too much about the aesthetics, especially if it's more advantageous...

More random info: floor space will about 11' by 11', with one corner completely cut off and walls will not be parallel. Bass trapping is in the plans...

Any insight is much appreciated...

thanks!
Kevin

[Disjointed]

i think a better idea would be to stuff the cavities in between the joists with 703.. then maybe cover it all with fabric... this should give you great absorption and insulation for winterizing..

if you're worried about a vapor barrier (which you probably need in canada), maybe put some rigid foam against the roof? first, or spray the cavities only partially full with foam.. then 703 on top of that for sound absorption..

gl

[matt thomas]

Originally Posted by Disjointed

i think a better idea would be to stuff the cavities in between the joists with 703.. then maybe cover it all with fabric... this should give you great absorption and insulation for winterizing..

thats what i've done in a similar situation, its great

narco

[kkfaudio]

Thanks for the thoughts, guys...

I'm definitely going to spray foam first - it's in an old barn and needs to be well sealed. I'd thought about adding something absorbtive to it, so you've reiinforced that idea. Since I've got 7.5 inches there's room for both.

I probably need to wait until I'm finished - but, would that eliminate the need for a least some of the corner bass trapping? The space is a little smaller than I'd like (but I have no choice right now) so saving some wall space would be great...

Thanks again,
Kevin

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by kkfaudio

Thanks for the thoughts, guys...


I probably need to wait until I'm finished - but, would that eliminate the need for a least some of the corner bass trapping? The space is a little smaller than I'd like (but I have no choice right now) so saving some wall space would be great...

Thanks again,
Kevin

No, you still are going to need bass trapping in the corner. Putting OC 703 in the ceiling will help, but will not absorb the lowes you would in the corners.

Glenn

[kkfaudio]

Thanks, Glenn...

That's kind of what I figured...

Is it really going to be helpfull to put OC703 across the whole ceiling, or should I just concentrate on the mix position - kind of like a non-suspended cloud?

I realize I can always try it out first and add more later - but if someone is convinced one way or the other, I might as well start out in the most likely scenario...

Thanks again,
Kevin

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by kkfaudio

Thanks, Glenn...

That's kind of what I figured...

Is it really going to be helpfull to put OC703 across the whole ceiling, or should I just concentrate on the mix position - kind of like a non-suspended cloud?

I realize I can always try it out first and add more later - but if someone is convinced one way or the other, I might as well start out in the most likely scenario...

Thanks again,
Kevin

I would start with just a cloud over top of the mix spot and panels on the side wall reflections and see how it goes. Oh and do the bass trapping in the corners.

Glenn

[Ethan Winer]

Kevin,

At this point I've got exposed ceiling joists, 24" o/c, 2 x 8. If I close it in with drywall, I'll be left with a 7' ceiling, so I'm wondering about any detriments to leaving it uncovered.

If you don't need isolation to the upstairs you are much better off leaving it open. Then stuff the cavity with fluffy fiberglass the same thickness - 8 inches in your case. Do the entire ceiling that way, not just over the mix position. If that makes the room too dead you can cover portions around the perimeter with cardboard or very thin plastic.

I will be using spray foam insulation

Inside the cavity? The kind that hardens when it dries? Don't do that. Use fluffy fiberglass.

--Ethan

[kkfaudio]

Alright... more things to mull over I guess...

Ethan - I need to do some spray foam to get a good vapour barrier. The space is in an old barn, where things aren't square, and I do need to keep an eye out for rodents. I have to do all four walls as well, and spray foam is the best/easiest way to get a good seal without inviting mice, etc.

I figure 3-4 inches of spray foam for the ceiling and then fill the rest of the space with: what then? Fluffy pink stuff or Roxul/Mineral Wool or OC. Covering it with cloth seems doable.

The walls will be 2 x 6 staggered studs, so I'll do the same - 2-3 inches of foam and then whatever insulation is best for sound properties, then drywall... And then room treatment of course.

Any more thoughts are very welcome!

Thanks again to everyone...

Kevin

[Glenn Kuras]

"I need to do some spray foam to get a good vapour barrier. The space is in an old barn, where things aren't square, and I do need to keep an eye out for rodents. I have to do all four walls as well, and spray foam is the best/easiest way to get a good seal without inviting mice, etc."

Get a cat!!!!!!!!!!!

I think everything you are thinking should be fine.

Glenn

[kkfaudio]

Originally Posted by myfipie

Get a cat!!!!!!!!!!!

I probably will for the rest of the barn - but I've already got a couple of lazy ones that just wave at mice as they go by...

One thing I've learned is you can't teach an old cat new tricks... or old tricks... or anything really...

Thanks for your help & insight...

Time to start putting the pieces together

Kevin