The birth of my studio ... so to speak

[chrisofer]

Hey all, just wanted to put up the pics of the new studio being built in my detached garage. This project was started back in October 2009, but then a major renovation of my house took the spotlight for quite a while. I am just now getting back to this.

Any questions/comments/advice are certainly welcome.

Thanks.

Here is what I started with ...

[chrisofer]

Here is a PDF of the plan for the studio ...

Here's My Studio ... What do you think??

[chrisofer]

Here is where I am today

1. Control Room angles ... sorta
2. Door looking into control room
3. Doors in hall
4. Mechanical Room 1
5. Mechanical Room 2
6. Looking toward piano room from vocal booth
7. Wall construction
8. Looking toward vocal booth from piano room
9. HVAC in Control Room
10. HVAC in Tracking Room

[chrisofer]

STOP WORK ... Now!!

Work was stopped about 2-7-2010. I ordered John Brandts book (available at http://buildahomestudio.com/) and Rod Gervais Book (available at amazon among other places). I have read them both, consulted with Jeff Hedback at Hedback Design Acoustics (http://www.hedbackdesignedacoustics.com/) and learned a little about physics from my son and now have a newly designed studio and work can move forward ... Here is the new plan ... Comments/Concerns are welcome ... the build continues tomorrow (Mon 2/22/10)

[Rick Sutton]

You're losing a lot of space to those hallways. A little better than your original which was "Hallways are us".

[mikahanau]

It was a good idea to wait until you read these books. The new layout looks much better, but you still waste a lot of space.

You may want tto have a look at a corner controllroom design, which is easy to implent to your space by turning the CR about 45° to the right.

You can play a little with different layouts, to find the best practical with a look at the acoustical needs.
cheers
mika

[chrisofer]

I know ... the problem is too much work was completed prior to reading the books and consulting with someone who actually knows what they are talking about. So, therefore, this is the best solution ... I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I wish I would have found this site before work was started ...

[Jeffrey Hedback]

Hey Chris,

Good to see the update to build post and I'll be glad to answer questions. A quick overview might be helpful.

Chris was at a logjamb point so to speak. He had already framed, run electrical and HVAC for a design that was not going to meet his needs. Due to existing strutural limitations and his money already spent, it was determined that a full redesign would not be cost practical, but a modification of his plan could be successful.

After a good discovery session, it was determined that the control room isolation could be exchanged for low frequency response.
- the front to back depth was extended as far as possible. The rear wall is 7" absorption system.
- the rear doors have "pressure release valves"...essentially a rigid fiberglass, limp mass barrier and MDF section to allow below 70Hz to part into hallways.
- The sidewalls were tweaked to also "grab" volume from the halls for improved LF response. It is a double leaf system but different than expected. From the interior of control room, the studs are to be packed with 703 and fabric covered. There is wallboard on the back of the first stud wall, insulation in the "void" and wallboard on hall side of exterior stud frame. The whole point is to be non-parallel and/or absorptive above 250Hz (approx) while using the structure to "trap" below.

In the tracking room, a partition wall for piano room was removed for a larger overall space. For Chris's needs, it was determined that he would very rarely track piano and drums at same time.

Look forward to your posts Chris.

[chrisofer]

Originally Posted by mikahanau

It was a good idea to wait until you read these books. The new layout looks much better, but you still waste a lot of space.

You may want tto have a look at a corner controllroom design, which is easy to implent to your space by turning the CR about 45° to the right.

You can play a little with different layouts, to find the best practical with a look at the acoustical needs.
cheers
mika

I agree ... however, the walls that make the hallways and the splayed walls in the control room are built and cannot be moved. Jeff did an analysis and determined this plan would accomplish the goals this studio intended.

[locutus]

Excellent! Chris I think you did the right thing to hold off and redesign. You are in great hands with Jeff. Excellent choice there!

It looks like a great design for you and I think the LF handling and acoustic space expansion are fascinating.

Nathan

[chrisofer]

Here are some pics of

- the front to back depth was extended as far as possible. The rear wall is 7" absorption system.
- the rear doors have "pressure release valves"...essentially a rigid fiberglass, limp mass barrier and MDF section to allow below 70Hz to part into hallways.

[chrisofer]

Well, here is a quick update. I have moved all the electrical outlets and light boxes so the room treatments can be put in the correct places. Work continues SLOWLY ... I also have had several conversations with Marc Meeker (http://www.meekeraudio.com) on the integration part of it all. More pics coming soon.

[chrisofer]

Here's another update ... The first layer of sheet rock is almost competely installed ... still have to mud, tape, caulk, etc. hopefully will get that done tomorrow ... then start on the vocal booth ... I'll get pics up soon ...

[chrisofer]

Second layer of drywall is almost complete ... then more mudding, taping, caulking, etc ... I have a whole new respect for people who do this for a living!

ProTools HD2 system has been ordered ... researching pre's now. I know I will have at least 2 Vintech x73i's ... Maybe an Octopre ... Suggestions??

[seven]

Originally Posted by chrisofer

Second layer of drywall is almost complete ... then more mudding, taping, caulking, etc ... I have a whole new respect for people who do this for a living!

I know. Right.

The drywall days in my studio were the worst (2 layers of 5/8th). Plus, I was extra stupid and textured the walls so mud took 3 times as long.

It's all good at the end of the day though. I'm looking forward to seeing some more pictures.

I have a question. The last pictures show the double walls ending at a shared ceiling. Did you cut the ceiling between the walls?

[chrisofer]

yes. Actually the way this is when you look from the bottom up ... 2 layers 5/8 gyp, studs with r-13, air gap (varies 3.5" to 1/4", front to back respectively), another layer of gyp (it is 1/2" ... was pre-existing), then studs with r-30 (again pre-existing).

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by chrisofer

Second layer of drywall is almost complete ... then more mudding, taping, caulking, etc ... I have a whole new respect for people who do this for a living!

ProTools HD2 system has been ordered ... researching pre's now. I know I will have at least 2 Vintech x73i's ... Maybe an Octopre ... Suggestions??

I had an Octopre briefly that I used for drum mics and didn't care for it. It's hard for me to put a handle on one specific trait, but it was thin on top rather than airy and flabby on the bottom end. Maybe the new models are better. I replaced the Octopre with a Soundcraft Spirit (8 channel rack mount mixer) and am reasonably happy with it for it's intended purpose, which is remote live recordings.

[chrisofer]

OK ... Here is an update with some pics ... I figured everybody knew what drywall in process looked like ... but here is the current status ...

1. The stone came in today ... makes my old F-150 squat just a little
2. The is the stone company ... check the website for more info
3. This is the Live Room North Side
4. Live Room South Side
5. Equipment Room - HVAC Unit
6. WE HAVE Electricity!!!!!
7. Back Wall of Control Room
8. 4" Mineral Wool for Back Wall of Control Room
9. Head of Security ... 4 month old Great Dane!

[chrisofer]

Here is the short list of the pre's and mic's for the studio. Some might think this is the wrong place for this type of stuff, however, I think it is appropriate because it is all part of the project ...

Preamps
API API500-VPR - 10 Slot Empty Chassis - 1
API 512C Preamp - 3
Great River MP-500NV Preamp - 2
A-Designs P-1 Preamp - 1
Purple Audio BIZ MK - 2
Vintech X73i Preamp - 3
Shadow Hills Mono Gama - Still Researching
Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic - 2

Mic's
Sennheiser E609 - 3
R0DE NT1-A - 1
AKG Perception 170 - 2
AKG D112 - 1
Shure SM57 - 5
Shure SM58 - 3
CAD E100 - 1
3 Zigma CHI Lollipop w/C-LOL-67 - 1
3 Zigma CHI Lollipop w/C-LOL-47 - 1
CAD 179 - 3
Bock Audio 195 - 1
Oktava MK-012 MSP6 - 1
Neumann U87 -1 ??

Questions/Comments/Concerns welcome ... I feel I might be heavy on pre's and light on mic's ???

[jdg]

thats one cool dog!

[chrisofer]

Today (4/3/10) has come to an end and here is what I got accomplished. The live room, vocal booth and both hallways have been painted with primer ... this is the color I think I'm going with ... looks like different colors in the pics, but it really is the same. Also, here is a good look at the stone that will go on the control room wall and in the live room ... Everybody have a GREAT Easter!

[Jeffrey Hedback]

Super progress Chris! The finishes will soon take final form...take a deep breath though and be prepared for the wiring/termination/integration effort.

AWESOME and the stone looks perfect in terms of acoustics and vibe!!

[James Meeker]

Originally Posted by chrisofer

Here is the short list of the pre's and mic's for the studio. Some might think this is the wrong place for this type of stuff, however, I think it is appropriate because it is all part of the project ...

No offense, but your preamp list is great. So great that it confuses me about your microphone list. Shouldn't you get the two on the same level? There are some... um, lackluster microphones on there IMHO.

Maybe I'm being snotty, but the preamp list is wowzers (minus the Focusrite) and the mic list... not so much.

[chrisofer]

You are probably right James ... The problem is what sounds great to one, sounds bad to another. This is why I put the list out there. I want to get some opinions. I'm still researching the mic portion of equipment. Some of the mics on the list I currently have on hand from the live sound equipment I've had for years. I also have some equipment that I won't be using as it is just junk (also from the live sound closet)

In other news, I had another setback today as a result of poor design on my part. My control room windows are only going to be able to splayed at 4 degrees (if my math is right) because I didn't put a big enough gap between the walls and I used 2x4 construction instead of 2x6. Rods book does not mention a "recommended" angle for this or what the recommended method is (splayed vs. parallel). Auralex recommends parallel and if using an angled window, it should be 6 degrees. Jeff Hedback, who has had to work overtime to correct my problems recommends 8 degrees. So 4 degrees it is ... At least I can put in 3/4" and 1/2" laminated glass ... pics of the window frame maybe tomorrow ... ... it's starting to get a little frustrating ...

[Jeffrey Hedback]

Hey Chris,

We (I) should clarify that the reason to angle the CR side of the window system 8 degrees (up) is for the surround sound application. This angle will direct most problematic reflections from rear surrounds up to the ceiling which is very controlled.

Otherwise, no angle=maximum STC of system.

[James Meeker]

Originally Posted by chrisofer

The problem is what sounds great to one, sounds bad to another.

Sure, but stuff like a Rode NT1 is soooo down market compared to the majority of your equipment. I couldn't imagine anyone choosing an NT1 over... well... a whole bunch of microphones.

[chrisofer]

You're exactly right james. Before I started building this studio, I had a small studio that I would only do the recording of my demo's, etc. At that point the R0de was a GREAT mic for what I was doing. Now that I'm building an actual studio (that other people might actually use) It's time to upgrade. I'm still researching the mic department. I need to find great mic's that don't cost 9000.00 or even 3000. Suggestions welcome. These are the mics that I have on hand from the day's of live sound or just accumulated over the years. Not necessarily will they be used, but available. The others listed above are the ones that I'm leaning toward ... fortunately nothing purchased yet ...

Sennheiser E609 - 3
R0DE NT1-A - 1
AKG Perception 170 - 2
AKG D112 - 1
Shure SM57 - 5
Shure SM58 - 3
CAD E100 - 1

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by chrisofer

I need to find great mic's that don't cost 9000.00 or even 3000. Suggestions welcome.

I think the Fathead / Lundahl Blumlien pair is a great value. I have a friend that is loaning me some of his Heil mics that also look to be great value. The Blue Bluebird is very good for the price. What's your budget and what all do you hope to target in terms of vocals/specific instruments, etc?

[chrisofer]

Thanks for the reply! In terms of budget, let's just say I don't want to get carried away. As far as what will be recorded ... I don't know. I know for sure I will be doing country (My personal stuff) and Hard Core, screamo stuff (my son's stuff). I do have a potential client who will want to do some R&B, and I have a church choir who is interested in recording as well. So, there is the situation. I want to say that I need a wide selection of mics that are good for all genre's (easier said than done). I think I have the preamps covered, it's all about the mic's now!

[G Davis]

+1 for Marc and Jeff. I worked with Marc for a while when we both were with Audio One and we worked on some rooms that Jeff designed the treatment for in Nashville. Good to hear you are using them both. Great guys!

Keep the updates coming

-Garrett