Entering the world of room acoustics

[AusChris]

I've finally decided to step things up a notch and buy some monitors + consider room acoustics and possible treatment.

Currently very amateur (obviously) and wanted some possible thoughts on the room I'm considering.

I'll be mixing and recording rock, hip hop and pop. Mainly just for friends and family. I'm not thinking of anything close to professional, this is a hobby and I don't expect professional results.




Here's a quick diagram of the room. Scale is not exact but it's pretty damn close. Floor is carpet with concrete underneath. Walls are gyprock.

My questions are:

1. Any particular type of monitors I should look at? Considering my room and the fact I can't spend extreme amounts of money on treatment.

2. If you had to guess, would this room be 'workable' for my needs? I realize it's probably a case of buying some monitors and trying them out in the room but I want to find out all I can beforehand.

3. I know very little about acoustics and treatment, what are some easy ways to prepare this room for recording/mixing? Anything obviously wrong (or right) about the room?


Again, I'm not sure if you guys will even be able to help out with just a diagram. Any help however would be very much appreciated.

[Glenn Kuras]

1. Any particular type of monitors I should look at? Considering my room and the fact I can't spend extreme amounts of money on treatment.

Monitors are a very personal thing. Just buy what you like. If they go down to around 42hz they will give you all the low end you want and need.

2. If you had to guess, would this room be 'workable' for my needs? I realize it's probably a case of buying some monitors and trying them out in the room but I want to find out all I can beforehand.

Most rooms can work. The key is the set up. You want to face the short wall and start by sitting back 38% of the room length. From looking at your room it seem you have a slope, so you want the slope to be low in front (where the mix is) and high in the back. It will help with reflections coming from the monitors.

3. I know very little about acoustics and treatment, what are some easy ways to prepare this room for recording/mixing? Anything obviously wrong (or right) about the room?

Set up (like I explained above), bass trapping and panels for early reflections (What Are Early Reflection Points. SPOTLIGHT:Bob Ebeling - Revolution Studio)
See the following as a guide.
GIK Acoustics: Room Setup

[PaulP]

Originally Posted by AusChris

I've finally decided to step things up a notch and buy some monitors +
consider room acoustics and possible treatment.

Lousy monitors would probably sound pretty good if you treat the room
but great monitors will sound awful if you don't.

1. Any particular type of monitors I should look at? Considering my room
and the fact I can't spend extreme amounts of money on treatment.

It would be wise to treat your room before you buy monitors otherwise
you won't be able to tell if they sound good or not.

2. If you had to guess, would this room be 'workable' for my needs? I
realize it's probably a case of buying some monitors and trying them out in
the room but I want to find out all I can beforehand.

It would certainly be worth your while to read a few hundred posts in this
forum and the other one http://www.gearslutz.com/board/bass-...nels-foam-etc/
You've got to get an idea of why you treat a room and how. The monitors
should be the last thing you think about.

3. I know very little about acoustics and treatment, what are some easy
ways to prepare this room for recording/mixing? Anything obviously wrong
(or right) about the room?

I think you have a bit of studying to do . I'm sure with a bit of thought
and effort you'll be able to get your room to sound good. There's not much
magic involved in a basic setup.

Again, I'm not sure if you guys will even be able to help out with just a
diagram. Any help however would be very much appreciated.

You should get lots of help here. Start by reading stuff offered by Ethan
and Glenn (read just about any thread on this page and you'll get links
to tons of information from them).

Good luck in your quest for good sound.

Paul P

[AusChris]

Thanks guys.

I think you have a bit of studying to do . I'm sure with a bit of thought
and effort you'll be able to get your room to sound good. There's not much
magic involved in a basic setup.

That's what I wanted to hear


After reading a fair few threads it's starting to not look as intimidating as I thought it would be. thumbsup

I'll hold off on the monitors until I've got a basic setup. Bass traps and proper placement of monitors sounds like my best bet.


When I do buy my monitors - do you think trying them out at the store will be good enough to make a decision on what to buy? It'd be great if I could find a store that lets me test them at home. One thing at a time though, I'll focus on basic treatment for now

[Glenn Kuras]

When I do buy my monitors - do you think trying them out at the store will be good enough to make a decision on what to buy? It'd be great if I could find a store that lets me test them at home. One thing at a time though, I'll focus on basic treatment for now

I always find it VERY hard to test monitors/speakers in the store. Try to find a place that will let you return them if you don't like them. I use the Yamaha HS50's and like them a lot, but like I sad before monitors are really a personal item.

[DanDan]

Monitors and the room are very like a drum kit and a room. i.e. the sound changes radically with the room. If you are not doing a lot of treatment, the best shot is likely to be a monitor which rolls off nicely, not to provoke unnecessary subs. It's a money thing too. I have looked into this a lot in the past, but there are a few new contenders now, like Focal and Barefoot.
In money order, I personally know and recommend
Alesis M1 active
Mackie HR824 (not the 624)
ADAM S3A vertical
PMC IB1

DD