bedroom acoustic setup - which orientation question?

[goldenchildaudio]

Just moved into this house and we are trying to figure out what to do w/ this room for acoustics..Now that I live far away from the studio I used to work at, I'm trying to adjust my room for mixing ITB and doing recording of vocals & instruments. Question: Where should the O place the desk/monitors/daw and vocal recording area? It is a bare room with nothing in it. Bass traps will be installed in corners as well as diffusers (loads of ringing when in middle of the room - expected) - I have read Ethan and Pauls suggestions but my room is shaped pretty weird as is probably most on GS. My thoughts were either next to the large window or place the desk smack in the middle of the wall without any windows?

Thanks for the help in advance!

[SAC]

Originally Posted by goldenchildaudio

Question: Where should the DAW/Desk be and my vocal recording area? [/IMG]

Quite frankly, considering the lack of usable symmetry, location of ingress/egress, and places to install treatment, the best answer I can give you is: In another room!

Your best hope may lay in bass trapping the corners and assembling absorbent Gobos (plus a ceiling cloud) in order to construct a symmetrical workspace facing the top wall.

If the drawing is relatively accurate to scale, facing the bottom and allowing for ingress/egress through the door is going to place your work station in the middle of the room....not optimal. Measurements (esp. ETCs) are your friends here.

[goldenchildaudio]

Sac - I was dreading that answer - hmmm

Originally Posted by SAC

Quite frankly, considering the lack of usable symmetry, location of ingress/egress, and places to install treatment, the best answer I can give you is: In another room!

Your best hope may lay in bass trapping the corners and assembling absorbent Gobos (plus a ceiling cloud) in order to construct a symmetrical workspace facing the top wall.

[goldenchildaudio]

So the best way for this particular room is to place everyone in the top wall uh?

(most of the rooms in the house are shaped like this, odd angles etc.)

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by goldenchildaudio

my room is shaped pretty weird as is probably most on GS.

I'd set up at the bottom of the drawing with the speakers facing up. Then put RFZ panels on stands in front of the window and closet. Or hang them from the ceiling using long wires etc.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[goldenchildaudio]

Ah interesting - thanks for the reply

I'll look into getting RFZ panels...and you'd probably recommend corner traps with your suggestion or still do 8' bass-traps?

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I'd set up at the bottom of the drawing with the speakers facing up. Then put RFZ panels on stands in front of the window and closet. Or hang them from the ceiling using long wires etc.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[DanDan]

The hardness of the walls may help decide. Concrete reflects bass strongly, drywall does not. Really the only sure way to make the best choice here is to measure acoustically. One speaker if fine, just try your different options. If you are lucky you will get less bad modal action in one direction. Trust the Waterfalls not the FR graphs, although no harm in looking.
RFZ panels can be on stands, so keep an open mind. Visual symmetry is not the same as acoustic. Again measure and tweak. Don't be afraid to have different level and eq settings if your speakers are active. Balance them acoustically.
Optimum bass trap locations can be found by playing sine waves at the resonant modal frequencies, moving about to find hot spots. Use some sort of level meter. Some spots will be a lot hotter than others, so prioritise bass trapping there.

DD

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by goldenchildaudio

you'd probably recommend corner traps with your suggestion or still do 8' bass-traps?

The more total corner surface you cover the better. One 2x4 foot trap is good, but two, one atop the other, is better.

--Ethan

________________
The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[johndykstra]

What are the dimensions Golden?

Also, how deep is the closet, and can it be used for bass trapping?

[goldenchildaudio]

John,

I'll measure up the room right now and post back! Thanks for helping out

Mike

Originally Posted by johndykstra

What are the dimensions Golden?

Also, how deep is the closet, and can it be used for bass trapping?

[goldenchildaudio]

Room dimensions are about 12 x 12
Floor to Ceiling = 8 FT

This is what I understand:
- Desk/Daw/Station faces Balcony Window
- RFZ panels infront of balcony window behind monitors
- Back wall covered w/ 6 broadband panels to cover most surface area
- Side wall near window gets 2 broadband panels (basstraps.net DIY build) which comes out to 24 x 48 (4" inch thick) panels
- Ceiling cloud

Question: What about bass trapping the corners? Is that needed?

My issue: I have this ringing/echo problem when standing smack in the middle of the room.

Sorry I am still a bit confused with broadband bass traps and absorption panels...I've been reading all of the articles on GS but I think my head is starting to hurt ha ha

Thanks for the help in advance

Originally Posted by johndykstra

What are the dimensions Golden?

Also, how deep is the closet, and can it be used for bass trapping?

[PaulP]

Originally Posted by goldenchildaudio

Sorry I am still a bit confused with broadband bass traps and absorption panels...I've been reading all of the articles on GS but I think my head is starting to hurt ha ha

This is normal, and I congratulate you on giving it some effort. This will pay off immensely. It's best if you don't rush forward but go at a pace that lets you learn before doing each step. Give it some time.

Your room, with the dimensions you've given, has some serious difficulties if you're going for a balanced response. There are a few frequencies in particular which will cause you problems (I'll let you calculate which ones they are once you've learned how). Better yet download Room EQ Wizard and it'll tell you exactly what your problems are.

The idea is to treat your room as little as possible. To do that you have to measure the way it is, then treat each identified problem with specific treatments. You keep testing at every stage to track your progress. It will be a lot easier for the experts around here to help you if you present them with some test results.