Floor advice for small writing studio

kingofswing · 23rd July 2008, 04:08 AM

Hi,

I am having a small 20ft by 20ft song writing studio built in my home garden. As you can see from the pic below, the floor is going to be solid concrete, so I was wondering what would be the best option from here? My builders are looking to leave the floor to a smooth screed finish (ready for either carpet or wooden floor, etc). Should I consider anything else before hand - like a floated floor perhaps?

Also would I be better off using a carpet installation or a wooden floor or a laminate of some sort? I am used to carpet more over other floor types, but which is better suited for studio use?

Oh, there is also going to be a partition wall internally to break up the room a little (using a load bearing wall) - so again, should I suggest to my builders that they use acoustic plaster instead of high density Rockwool filling - due to the small studio space?

I would appreciate your comments - thanks in advance.

ps: i should add that the room is too meet all current building regulation requirements - but it also needs some sound requirements too...lol. I am not too fussed about 100% perfection, as i'm going to be using it mainly for song writing / pre production purposes (keyboards, synths, drum machines, vocals, some instruments / percussion), but not as a pro recording studio...I wish.

Glenn Kuras · 23rd July 2008, 11:23 AM

For a studio it best to use a hard surface over carpet as carpet will only absorb the high end. It is the same reason it is not recommend to put carpet on the walls.

If yo need to knock done some of the high end then I would recommend just getting throw rugs. As for as what type of flooring concrete, wood or what ever is going to react pretty much the same acoustically in the room. I myself like wood, but my girlfriend just did stain floors not so long ago in her design studio and it looked REALLY nice.

kingofswing · 23rd July 2008, 12:18 PM

Thanks Glenn for the advice. It's a small project, so I guess i'm good to go the lighter route.

I'm thinking of using good quality engineered flooring instead of real wood, as it seams more hard wearing and less likely to get scratched, etc.

Regarding my internall walls, could I just make up my own mini bass traps to mount into the corners (leaving 2 inches of gap or so) of my room using wood frame mounts with slabs of 30 or 60mm high density rockwool covered by fabric? This seems quite common.

I have no idea about mid to high treatment, so any simple advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Glenn Kuras · 23rd July 2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Regarding my internall walls, could I just make up my own mini bass traps to mount into the corners (leaving 2 inches of gap or so) of my room using wood frame mounts with slabs of 30 or 60mm high density rockwool covered by fabric? This seems quite common.

sure you can do that.

You can also do that in the early reflection points in the room.

Glenn

Ethan Winer · 23rd July 2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofswing

I am having a small 20ft by 20ft song writing studio built in my home garden.

Is it too late to change the dimensions? A square room is not good acoustically. Something more like 23 by 17 would be a lot better. More here:

Graphical Mode Calculator

--Ethan

kingofswing · 23rd July 2008, 06:11 PM

Thanks Ethan for chiming in - it is too late now unfortunately, as the main outer brick walls are already up with 75mm insulation, then the block work (which has started) and then a 20mm sheet layer + plaster.

However, the room will be partitioned into 3 parts, one being the main writing room with the gear, the other a little sit down area for TV & Hi-Fi, followed by a small vocal booth. So the main writing room shall be kind of rectangular. I hope this works out. All the partitions are solid load bearing walls and once again the floor is fully concrete ready to place carpet / wood / laminate.

Anything for me to consider inside the rooms? bass traps, acoustic tiles, etc.

Cheers.

avare · 23rd July 2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

However, the room will be partitioned into 3 parts,

Aargh! No disrespect meant, but if you have plans ideas about what you are going to do, let us know! The best thing is a drawing. Sketchup is great for that.

Andre

Ethan Winer · 23rd July 2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofswing

However, the room will be partitioned into 3 parts, one being the main writing room with the gear, the other a little sit down area for TV & Hi-Fi, followed by a small vocal booth.

Great, then there's still a chance to get better proportions. But I have to say that space is too small for three rooms. Maybe 1-1/4 rooms.

Quote:

Anything for me to consider inside the rooms? bass traps, acoustic tiles, etc.

Yes, all of that. There's a ton of advice and articles and videos on my company's site, linked under my name below. All of the info applies to all products and DIY panels too, so spend an hour or three there and you'll come out an expert.

--Ethan

kingofswing · 23rd July 2008, 11:08 PM

Thank you Ethan, will check out your company site for more info.

Yes 3 rooms is really pushing it, but I actually got to stand inside the dummy marking lines, and it seemed bigger somehow than seeing it on paper. I could maybe leave it open plan if things don't work out for space, like an L shaped room perhaps, and a vocal booth?

Cheers.

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23rd July 2008, 04:08 AM	#1
kingofswing Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 940	Floor advice for small writing studio Hi, I am having a small 20ft by 20ft song writing studio built in my home garden. As you can see from the pic below, the floor is going to be solid concrete, so I was wondering what would be the best option from here? My builders are looking to leave the floor to a smooth screed finish (ready for either carpet or wooden floor, etc). Should I consider anything else before hand - like a floated floor perhaps? Also would I be better off using a carpet installation or a wooden floor or a laminate of some sort? I am used to carpet more over other floor types, but which is better suited for studio use? Oh, there is also going to be a partition wall internally to break up the room a little (using a load bearing wall) - so again, should I suggest to my builders that they use acoustic plaster instead of high density Rockwool filling - due to the small studio space? I would appreciate your comments - thanks in advance. ps: i should add that the room is too meet all current building regulation requirements - but it also needs some sound requirements too...lol. I am not too fussed about 100% perfection, as i'm going to be using it mainly for song writing / pre production purposes (keyboards, synths, drum machines, vocals, some instruments / percussion), but not as a pro recording studio...I wish. Attached Thumbnails

23rd July 2008, 11:23 AM	#2
Glenn Kuras Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 3,905	For a studio it best to use a hard surface over carpet as carpet will only absorb the high end. It is the same reason it is not recommend to put carpet on the walls. If yo need to knock done some of the high end then I would recommend just getting throw rugs. As for as what type of flooring concrete, wood or what ever is going to react pretty much the same acoustically in the room. I myself like wood, but my girlfriend just did stain floors not so long ago in her design studio and it looked REALLY nice. __________________ Glenn Kuras - GIK Acoustics www.GIKAcoustics.com Need help with your room? click here

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23rd July 2008, 12:18 PM	#3
kingofswing Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 940	Thanks Glenn for the advice. It's a small project, so I guess i'm good to go the lighter route. I'm thinking of using good quality engineered flooring instead of real wood, as it seams more hard wearing and less likely to get scratched, etc. Regarding my internall walls, could I just make up my own mini bass traps to mount into the corners (leaving 2 inches of gap or so) of my room using wood frame mounts with slabs of 30 or 60mm high density rockwool covered by fabric? This seems quite common. I have no idea about mid to high treatment, so any simple advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

23rd July 2008, 06:11 PM	#6
kingofswing Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 940	Thanks Ethan for chiming in - it is too late now unfortunately, as the main outer brick walls are already up with 75mm insulation, then the block work (which has started) and then a 20mm sheet layer + plaster. However, the room will be partitioned into 3 parts, one being the main writing room with the gear, the other a little sit down area for TV & Hi-Fi, followed by a small vocal booth. So the main writing room shall be kind of rectangular. I hope this works out. All the partitions are solid load bearing walls and once again the floor is fully concrete ready to place carpet / wood / laminate. Anything for me to consider inside the rooms? bass traps, acoustic tiles, etc. Cheers.

23rd July 2008, 11:08 PM	#9
kingofswing Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 940	Thank you Ethan, will check out your company site for more info. Yes 3 rooms is really pushing it, but I actually got to stand inside the dummy marking lines, and it seemed bigger somehow than seeing it on paper. I could maybe leave it open plan if things don't work out for space, like an L shaped room perhaps, and a vocal booth? Cheers.