Please examine my layout.

[TDT Music Group]

Hello, I have spent the last three weeks straight researching and learning about proper acoustics. I previously just had some foam in random spots and foam wedges in the corner. I did not understand what I was doing, I just knew that I needed some.

So thanks to Cojo. Glenn, Ethan and Scott, I have gained enough knowledge to begin treating my studio space.

First the dimensions: Basement room, Width 10'8"- Length of my area 11'11" and the ceiling is 7'6". There is additional space lengthwise of 11'3" which is used as a play area for the kids. I have moving blankets sanctioning off my space at the 11' mark.

This will be a recording/mixing room.

SPECIFICS:

I have placed my mixing position 38% away from the front wall according to the 11'11" length, not the overall length of the basement. I offset the mix position a few inches to the right to avoid being directly in the middle.

I will be building:

2- six inch basstraps using 2 panels of 2" 8lb density rockwool and 1 2" OC703 FSK

4- four inch broadband absorbers for first reflections at the side walls using 1 each of 2" OC703 regular and 703 FSK

2- four inch ceiling traps using 1 panel of 2" rockwool and 2" OC703 FSK

2- four inch absorbers to go behind the monitors using 1 panel of 2" OC703 regular and 2"OC703 FSK

14 four inch sca's (thanks Scott) These will be constructed by cutting in half a panel of 4" OC703 making it into 2 identical pieces with the dimensions of: 12"Wx48"Lx4".


All of the full panels will be framed using design ideas from Cojo, the sca's will use a very thin flat frame (about the thickness of a ruler) that will be placed on the backside only to increase sturdiness and then fabric wrapped.

I encourage all who want to build the panels to look into your local SPI. I am ordering 2 bundles of rockwool 2" (6 panels per bundle) 2 bundles of OC703 FSK 2" (6 panels per bundle) 1 bundle of OC703 2" (12 panels per bundle) 1 bundle of OC703 4" (6 panels per bundle) all for $397.44 Smokin deal! I am avoiding shipping by working directly with the regional manager who comes to my city once a week.


So here is the layout all done in Google Sketchup, the chair and mixing board were downloaded, everything else was made by myself (if you want a layout done holla at me!) What I am looking for is answers concerning the sca's on the front wall top and bottom, should I cover the full width leaving no gap or will it be fine how it is. Also, the mix position being measured according to my area is the only space I have to work with as I would be cutting into the kids area. I do plan on using some leftover foam in the corner behind me. I also have to record vocals in this space, is there anything that may prohibit or help me to achieve this?

Thanks in advance for all the help, Gearslutz has been like going to school for free!

[Ethan Winer]

That looks great.

--Ethan

[TDT Music Group]

Thanks Ethan, I owe it all to what I've researched. I just hope it sounds as good as it looks. I'll be building this over the next month. I'll be sure to post pics as I build each level.

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

That looks great.

--Ethan

[spm_gl]

I'd put one more panel in the front center. Otherwise you'll get serious front reflection as soon as you move just a bit to the side. And you'll probably end up installing a second pair of small monitors anyway, at some stage.

[Glenn Kuras]

I have placed my mixing position 38% away from the front wall according to the 11'11" length, not the overall length of the basement. I offset the mix position a few inches to the right to avoid being directly in the middle.

Note that the 38% if only a starting point. You will find moving forward or back a bit may give you a better response. I would start with setting up the mix spot first and get the best response then place the treatment.

[TDT Music Group]

Is this in reference to first reflection points? I imagine that the bass traps and sca's would stay the same regardless. Please elaborate.

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Note that the 38% if only a starting point. You will find moving forward or back a bit may give you a better response. I would start with setting up the mix spot first and get the best response then place the treatment.

[fossaree]

Originally Posted by TDT Music Group

I'll be building this over the next month. I'll be sure to post pics as I build each level.

make sure you don't forget to post them ;-) !

[TDT Music Group]

Thanks for the heads up. I will have to do some measuring, at first glance I probably will not be able to put 3 panels on the front wall due to the positioning of the bass traps. My width is 10'8" and with the bass traps eating 2' of that that would put me at 8'8" add three 24" panels and that would put me at 6 so I guess it could work.

Back to Sketchup!

Originally Posted by spm_gl

I'd put one more panel in the front center. Otherwise you'll get serious front reflection as soon as you move just a bit to the side. And you'll probably end up installing a second pair of small monitors anyway, at some stage.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by TDT Music Group

Is this in reference to first reflection points? I imagine that the bass traps and sca's would stay the same regardless. Please elaborate.

For the most part yes. You could put the traps in the corners first, though if your going to test the room it might be good to know what you are starting with just in case.

[TDT Music Group]

With the layout I have here, can someone guide me as to which combination of materials to use to create a Reflection Free Zone? I've read that FSK should be used on the corner Bass Traps only, not on the first reflection points.

Materials:

OC 703 2" Regular

2" FSK

4" Regular

Rockwool 8lb density Mineral Wool

Thanks in Advance.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by TDT Music Group

With the layout I have here, can someone guide me as to which combination of materials to use to create a Reflection Free Zone? I've read that FSK should be used on the corner Bass Traps only, not on the first reflection points.

Materials:

OC 703 2" Regular

2" FSK

4" Regular

Rockwool 8lb density Mineral Wool

Thanks in Advance.

The key is not to use FSK on the fronts. You can get away with 2" of either OC or Rockwool, but if you have the extra funds there is nothing wrong with using 4" to help with the low end.

[Bubbagump]

Total hijack, what did you use for the groovy 3D mockup?

[TDT Music Group]

Originally Posted by Bubbagump

Total hijack, what did you use for the groovy 3D mockup?

Google Ketchup with an S.

[TDT Music Group]

So Glenn, no FSK in the RFZ including the corner basstraps? where should the FSK be specifically used or am I better off returning it in favor of regular 703 or rockwool.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by TDT Music Group

So Glenn, no FSK in the RFZ including the corner basstraps? where should the FSK be specifically used or am I better off returning it in favor of regular 703 or rockwool.

No FSK is great for the traps in the corners. Just don't use it in the RFZ.

[TDT Music Group]

cool, gotcha. Thanks

[TDT Music Group]

here's a couple of pics to start off with. I should be finished with staining this weekend and will begin assembly. Hopefully by next weekend I'll be recording again!

[Glenn Kuras]

Looking good!

[TDT Music Group]

Thanks Glenn, it's hard doing it all myself. My neighbor did cut the wood and we both assembled the frames. My wife is mad at me for showing the studio "before" shot, it was a lot cleaner but I was tearing down foam and removing a bunch of misc. stuff in preparation for storage.

I sanded/am still sanding the frames to get a smooth surface for the stain to adhere to and give them a finished look. Its a lot of work as I have a full time job and a full sized family to tend to as well. The stain takes 6 hours to dry so I'm getting two done every day and a half.

I'm going for a streamlined look, only having the essentials in my workspace. I'm also building monitor stands, I custom painted my console desk and monitors.

I hope all of my effort is gonna pay off when I'm finished.

stay tuned..................

[johndykstra]

Consider staggering the height of your vertical wall traps. This should help with breaking up the non axial modes a bit better. Also, don't be surprised by wicked flutter echo at the back of the room, as those two parallel surfaces are untreated. Common household objects that will likely need to occupy the space may just do the trick back there.

[TDT Music Group]

I think I know what you mean, almost like a skyline look. On the back of the room, the rendering is just that of my space, not the total length of the basement as there is another 12-14 feet behind me. I plan on using all of my old foam to stuff in a bookshelf to make a Gobo so to speak and place it in the corner. To my advantage, if I face the back wall, I will have some usable ambiance. I'm still building the traps, my first one is ugly as sin, it will most likely be a ceiling trap!!

stay tuned. (pun intended)

Originally Posted by dykstraster@gmai

Consider staggering the height of your vertical wall traps. This should help with breaking up the non axial modes a bit better. Also, don't be surprised by wicked flutter echo at the back of the room, as those two parallel surfaces are untreated. Common household objects that will likely need to occupy the space may just do the trick back there.

[TDT Music Group]

After a day of deliberation and a week off, I have decided to go with a different design. After painting the front edges, I laid the fabric on the backside of the frame and aligned it with the opening. I then pushed the panel thru 3/4 of an inch past the frame and secured the panel and fabric.

I like this look alot better and will edge the other panels according to their purpose ie: bass trap, RFZ.

I took a week off so I am not finished with staining just yet but I only have 3 more to go. Upon completion of the panels, I will hang the basstraps and begin setting up the mix position which will include custom monitor stands.

Slowly but surely.

[TDT Music Group]

I started this project on march 1st, a month has passed in no time at all and I am still building. I managed to get all but 2 panels completely finished and some good news is that I scored some free wood to build 2 ceiling clouds and some cool end of the wall type traps!

The wood is 6'x2"x1", I found it at a dumpster. I have plenty of material left, my next goal is to have the corner traps hung and begin the process of setting up the mix position.

Heres a couple of pics of the finished traps. My fabric is off white but the corner traps have FRK on them which is like aluminum foil so it makes the fabric look extra white.
thumbsup

[TDT Music Group]

I can now say that I am finished with my studio upgrade. Everything came together in the end and turned out better than I imagined. I learned a ton in the process and would be willing to do it all over again.

About the improvements: I now know and understand what stereo imaging is and can literally feel the depth of my monitors. Focus is what comes to mind, it's like I can reach out and grab the sounds because they seem alive. I use to have to cut alot of room resonance out of my vocals, which had its drawbacks but now it is a thing of the past. I upgraded my pre's and conversion so I know that plays a big part as well.

I haven't completed my first full mix yet, but just listening to some of my old mixes, I am able to hear exactly what needs to be fixed.

I'm very satisfied that about $650 in materials and some hard work has taken me to another level. I recommend room treatment to everyone and give a BIG THANKS TO ALL THAT HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY!

THE PICS!!!

[localhost127]

wow, that looks excellent.

[manman]

I liked the speakers

but Your Corners are empty, i think you need thicker bass traps

[TDT Music Group]

Originally Posted by manman

I liked the speakers

but Your Corners are empty, i think you need thicker bass traps

Yeah my upper corners are a lil bare, I am thinking about putting 3 more traps against that front wall horizontally just to see what improvements I can achieve. My greatest concern, which was a boxy sound when recording vocals, is solved and my low end response is pretty good as well. I haven't done any measurements tho. My corner traps are 6" thick btw.