Please help me with my very small home studio

[JedKeith]

My band is breaking up and I am turning our practice space into a small home studio for me to work on some of my own material and to record other small local acts. I need some suggestions on where I should put everything. I have a combo organ that is 2' 2" x 4' 2" and a hammond that is 2' 6" x 4' 8". Also my drums will need to live in there, so I need space for them.



(we usually keep the door on the left in this picture closed so anything in front of it is usually ok)


So like I said, I need help with a bunch of things.

1. Placement - I have an 2 organs and two drumsets. I can stack one or the other in another room when I need to. I also dont have another room to use as a control room so the laptop goes in here with the speakers as well.

2. Speaker Placement - Ive read a little on what kind of stands you should put them on but I dont know what is best for me. I just bought some KRK RP-6s.

3. Bass Traps - What should I use and where should I put them. I already spent more money than I really wanted to on equipment so the cheaper I can make/buy them, the better.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The room...















My gear and the gear I am using. Right now I am using the Presonus Firestudio Project and Cubase LE 4 (because thats what came with it). Should I upgrade to a better system? By the way, the M-Audio monitors are not mine. I mentioned earlier that I just bought KRK RP-6's. I am borowing the M-Audio monitors from my friend.





Thanks for all the help guys!

-Josh/NL
MySpace.com - Naked Love - GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Experimental / Other - www.myspace.com/nakedlove

[nandi]

Nice place. I thik that you'll need to remove the carpet from the floor and let it be wood there. you'll love the sound.

[JedKeith]

Well that's the thing, Under the carpet is cement. The room used to be a carport in the 50's and then it was enclosed with cinderblocks that my dad used as a workshop. We cleaned it up (added a ceiling and carpet) so that it could be a music room but my band is breaking up so I would rather have a small studio. I just need a little help with placement and what kind of monitor stands, if any, I should use.

Thanks though! I wish I had wood floors!

[nandi]

try some bamboo floors which are easier to install, i did myself a room with that. and good sounding. or, at least, use some "click_ MDF (medium density fiber) wood-like floor" over the carpet. this is a cheaper solution but not so elegant. we did that for a drum recording session in an all-carpet studio and worked.

[nandi]

about placement of things in there you should experiment, first playing some well known (to you) music and changing the position of monitors near the wall vs far from the wall, maybe some ergonomic thinking and after that is set you start to experiment with recording positions, but you already have a good listening position, useful on making decisions. good luck

[JedKeith]

Thanks for the advice!

[dykstraster@gmai]

This is a fantastic video on DIY bass traps, as many as you can in all four corners as funds will allow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=***********

(I don't know why the link won't work, go to You Tube and type in "bass traps", it should be the first video)


A cement floor is nearly as good as a wood floor, I wouldn't spend the dough on wood, but I may suggest ripping up the carpet.

Keep your mix position centered in the room, with the long dimension positioned front to back (not left and right), and kill any early reflection points on the walls and ceiling with broadband absorbtion, as well as the wall behind your mix position.

As far as speaker stands go, the more mass the better. Cynder blocks are a good "on-the-cheap" option, but outside of that; if you're gonna buy something make sure they're solid.

Only after your room is treated, would I worry about any equipment upgrades, as you won't realize the potential of any gear in an under-utilized space.

Have fun, and don't do anything until Glen and Ethan chime in with their opinions.