Advice for new studio with SSL

[ejboom1]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be building a recording studio in Minneapolis, MN over the next year that will be home to an SSL 4000g. This is the SSL that was in Unique Studios in NYC for much of the 1980's and the 1990's. Here's where I would like some advice. I have found a 2000sq ft. space that is quite suitable, save for the ceilings. The ceiling starts at 11ft and slopes down to 9.5ft in the back. My concern is that the low ceilings will keep some clientèle from booking studio time. I would place the control room in the front with the highest ceilings. That would leave the live room with about 10.5' ceiling. Is this going to hurt my ability to book acts with larger budgets? Thanks!

[avare]

Originally Posted by ejboom1

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be building a recording studio in Minneapolis, MN over the next year that will be home to an SSL 4000g. This is the SSL that was in Unique Studios in NYC for much of the 1980's and the 1990's. Here's where I would like some advice. I have found a 2000sq ft. space that is quite suitable, save for the ceilings. The ceiling starts at 11ft and slopes down to 9.5ft in the back. My concern is that the low ceilings will keep some clientèle from booking studio time. I would place the control room in the front with the highest ceilings. That would leave the live room with about 10.5' ceiling. Is this going to hurt my ability to book acts with larger budgets? Thanks!

Lenght? Width? First thought is keep the low end at the front, and have some deeper absorption in the ceiling at the back.


Andre

[Jeffrey Hedback]

The answer is it very likely could. All factors optimized 10.5' ceiling is "doable" for pro space...but ask yourself (all things being equal), "wouldn't you book your drum session in 14' room?"

Other factors can offset that:
- a great tech so console is fully functional at all times
- amenities...you know your local competition (which is solid) and that in today's economy day rates on pro facilities can be ridiculously low...have the amenities to cater to the needs of YOUR potential clients.

These two factors can offset the ceiling height for many clients. Short of 12', your're not going to use the ceiling height as selling factor. You're also not going to book much in the way of string sessions or the like (at pro level).

Of course, the above assumes all acoustics and integration are pro level.

It's a great question and one I've gone through in much detail with several clients. It's so important to have a REAL business plan today.

All the very best.

[Jeffrey Hedback]

I shouldn't assume that you've considered how the sound isolation envelope will reduce the ulitimate finished ceiling height.

Appropriate floor and ceiling isolation could easily gobble 12"+

[ejboom1]

Thanks for the responses. The length of the place is 75' and 25' wide. I will be working with a professional studio designer and there is a great tech in the city that I will be employing to service the console as needed. This space works well with our business plan as the price is right, and it is directly on the Mississippi River. It will have a great getaway feel right in Minneapolis. Those ceiling heights do have me more than a little concerned. The potential dimensions for the control room should be fine... 19ft wide by 11ft tall by whatever I want long. The 10.5ft ceiling by 19ft wide live room may just not cut it in comparison to the control room.

[Musiclab]

I hope you've done a lot of cleanup work on that console, if not I think you will

[spm_gl]

Get a good interior designer, so the room at least doesn't look so low. There's a lot one can do with light and colour to make a room seem larger.
Acoustically, making the ceiling sound higher is not too difficult. All things considered, I doubt clients will shy away from a low ceiling, as long as the live room doesn't feel like a small cave.