Control Room Arrangement

[Mumblesound]

Hi all,

So, we are about to take a look at re-positioning the control room layout.
Our roomm is a rectangle. Maybe 15'x25' with a 10' ceiling, but that is a total guess.

I know about the 38% technique, and that's how we have it arranged at the moment... sort of.
Same idea, anyway. More like 30%.

I've been hearing that I should try a 90 degree shift, so that the speakers/console would be on a long wall.

This would, obviously, make the side reflections much less dominant, but would make the back wall much closer to the listening position.

I was just wondering what people had to say about that.

[avare]

Originally Posted by Mumblesound

I've been hearing that I should try a 90 degree shift, so that the speakers/console would be on a long wall.

No, that is wrong.

Wow a clear question that could answered clearly. It feels strange. Good, but strange.

Happily,
Andre

[Mumblesound]

Glad I could help.

What is the basis of your opinion?

Have you tried this type of arrangement?

[avare]

Originally Posted by Mumblesound

What is the basis of your opinion?

Have you tried this type of arrangement?

When you situate the speakers on the long side, you are much closer rear wall making it harder to maintain the initial time gap for reflections and your head movement will go through more nodes.

I tried it in the early 80's in a couple of studios, now gone. Shortly after the LEDE wave occurred and then the RFz design evolved fairly quickly from that, which we (as in the world) almost exclusively use for control room design for studios (with some notable exceptions).

I am curious. Where on earth did you get the idea that you should use the long wall for your monitors such a small width? It is done successfully larger control rooms. Larger meaning 20 ft or more width.

Andre

[Mumblesound]

I see.
Well, we might try it anyway. It would solve a lot of real estate problems and we aren't crazy about the sound of the room in the first place.

I didn't hear it anywhere in particular. It's just been bouncing around a little.

Thanks,
Seamus

[avare]

Originally Posted by Mumblesound

It would solve a lot of real estate problems and we aren't crazy about the sound of the room in the first place.

A control room and the speakers are a system. It is easy to talk (write?) about single factors in isolation, but everything comes together and affects everything. If you are not happy with the room, what is wrong with it?

If you decide to try the sideways set-up, absorption on the rear wall is mandatory to get the best sound possible.

All designs have compromises. What are the real estate problems.

I didn't hear it anywhere in particular. It's just been bouncing around a little.

What on earth does that mean?


Give information and ask more questions! The more you know, the better it will turn out!

Andre

[Mumblesound]

Yes, there would be absorbtion on the back wall and behind the speakers, as well.
The speakers would be at least 1.5' off the wall.

We are having trouble trying to figure out a way of fitting our new console in the room.
The way we have it all layed out now will cause traffic problems and work flow problems if we try and stuff the new board in.

The rooms acoustics aren't horrible the way it is now, but I feel the need to get a different perspective on the room.

The change could do us some good.

Thanks for your help.

[octopi]

Could you post a diagram of your room as it stands now including dimensions and equipment. It doesn't have to be to exact scale, near enough would suffice, but it would help to have a clearer picture of your current setup.

Thanks

[Mumblesound]

I would love to.
I'm going to get the exact dimensions of the room.
It'll be a few days to get them, but that would be very helpful.
I am really bad at eye balling measurements.

Thanks,
Seamus

[Glenn Kuras]

If you decide to try the sideways set-up, absorption on the rear wall is mandatory to get the best sound possible.

Just to add to that, you want it to be as thick as possible. If possible 6" or more and spaced off the wall the thickness of the panel.

Glenn

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by Mumblesound

What is the basis of your opinion?

The graphs in Figure 3 of this article show the difference very clearly:

RealTraps - How To Set Up a Room

--Ethan

[EricF]

What do you currently have in the way of bass trapping and absorbtion?

[Mumblesound]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

The graphs in Figure 3 of this article show the difference very clearly:

RealTraps - How To Set Up a Room

--Ethan

Ok, but that was his room, dimensions and construction.
Wouldn't the results (outside of the obvious specific freq ranges) in my room be
totally different? Is it possible that they could be better that they are now?

We have absorbers on the side walls for about 16' starting at the belt (chair rail, actually) and up 4'.
There are two 4'x8' free-standing absorbers at the back of the room, and some more panels at the front wall, that is also covered be a thick theater curtain.
There are a couple of panels on the ceiling, the rest of the ceiling is weird vinyl tile.
The floor has area rugs that cover 90% of the floor.
I'm pretty sure that all of the panels are either 4" or 6" thick with 703, except for the ceiling panels, which are 1".

Less than scientific, I know, but this arrangement has worked the best, so far.
Throwing the Even 20/20bas out of the room didn't hurt, either.

[Mumblesound]

Not being funny, but what about a "kitty corner" arrangement.
Not perfectly centering the corner, but a bit off center, so that the speakers are mostly firing down the long way of the room.

I forgot to mention that the absorber panels are black so they absorb high freqs better.

just kidding.

[Mumblesound]

So, the room is 13' x 26'.