Unearthed Audio - Live Room Treatment Photo Journal

[loh90]

Hey GS, been reading a lot but haven't really posted much. This is a photoblog of our basement studio: Unearthed Audio, located in North Chicagoland. This project is between myself, Ariel Loh and my friend Austin Lutter. We both just finished our first year at recording/produciton school, myself at SUNY Purchase College (NY), and Austin at Flashpoint Academy (Chicago), and this is our summer project. Here are pictures from the construction of the live room, pictures of the control room will be up as its completed.


Original room. 11' x 17' x 7'7"


Original ceiling.


At Lowes, we thought we got a good deal on Pro Tools 8 upgrade


Plain old R13 insulation for the ceiling.


Regular insulation for the ceiling


Insulation in the ceiling from above


Again


Almost done, me putting up the last pieces


Our idea for bass traps with the extra insulation.


Stacked insulation for bass traps

[loh90]

Simple duct tape will do the job (me)


The first of our equipment. Newly purchased used g5 dual core 2.0ghz + 3gb ram + leopard + PT8 LE. Presonus digimax d8, M-Audio Tampa, and my friend's lunchbox + great river.


Covering the insulation with charcoal felt.


Beginning the acoustic panels. First cut of wood, 2"x1".


First frame.


Me sawing.


Sets of wood for panels.


Frames for panels and bass traps.


Covering extra ceiling tiles with black cotton fabric.


Finished wood frames + covered ceiling tiles

[loh90]

The assembly of acoustic panels. 2inch Roxul Acoustic Fire Batts from ATSacoustics.com wrapped in burlap.


Duct tape down the back.


Staple gun to secure burlap


Finished panels


Shot of completed panels and ceiling. Room slowly coming together.


Bass trap frame getting ready.


First mounted panels. Plain old nails into the wall's 2"x4" studs.


Austin brings in the cables.


Finished panels, introducing brown.


Finished bass trap

[loh90]

Finished walls


Finished wall 1


Finished wall 2


Finished wall 3


Last half wall untreated. Originally planned for treatment but I found that the panels did more good putting them on the ground horizontally under the mounted panels.

Tada! The room doesn't sound awesome, unfortunately, but it sounds much much much better than it did originally. This is our first attempt at acoustics, let us know what you think.

[fabricaudio]

Have you done any measurements?

Nikolas

[loh90]

No I have not. I'm slowly learning the art of acoustics and still have yet to get to the point of measuring. The room is significantly deader than it was before (obviously). There are still small flutter/slapback echos at certain pockets of the room, but I'm out of time and resources to significantly improve on that. For right now the room is sufficient for the purpose of a project studio.

[fabricaudio]

If it is for personal use you will be fine at the moment, but i suggest you start research if you want to go deep and commercial. I suggest Philip Newell's book. Spending time reading and money for books may save you loads of money before you buy anything more.


Nikolas

[wesarvin]

I second that opinion. You'll need way more insulation for true bass traps. It took 4 GIANT bundles of rockwool and two big rolls of R30 to treat my 10x12 room.

Hey...we have the same desk!