Rural studio set up, beginning stages.

[iipeacefrog]

I'm fairly new to this whole topic, so I figure before I get started it's best to ask the pro's. I live out on a ranch about 20 miles from anywhere and am going to attempt to retrofit an existing building for tracking and mixing.

The building currently has a dirt floor, is framed with 2x4's, but has no insulation and has a gabled roof. The building is 20 feet long by about 10 feet wide.
**About the most standard freakin building you can get**

I've got about a $2000 budget for acoustic treatment and about 4 months. The first step in my mind is fixing the foundation and pouring a concrete floor.

The one good thing about this space is that the area is dead quiet except for the rare airplane and quiet birds, both of which I can deal with if they bleed.

So can a standard structure like the one i'm describing be made to sound good?

I figured I would put hang 2.5" OC 703 from the ceiling, build bass traps and a large diffuser over the mixing console, but I'm worried about the low ceiling, parallel surfaces and hard concrete.

A friend also suggested getting an old canvas army tent and putting that up inside....any feedback on this idea?

I realize that i'm not going to get a very good live sound out of this place...i'd be fine with 'dead as a doornail' and adding reverb later.

Where do I start? Can it be done? Should I buy a testing mic and mount the OC 703 on rails so they can move around until I get the right location with the testing mic?

Thanks pros!

[pdlstl]

Originally Posted by iipeacefrog

I've got about a $2000 budget...

The first step in my mind is fixing the foundation and pouring a concrete floor.

Well, there goes the budget.

[Glenn Kuras]

I figured I would put hang 2.5" OC 703 from the ceiling, build bass traps and a large diffuser over the mixing console, but I'm worried about the low ceiling, parallel surfaces and hard concrete.

Diffusion is generally not used in early reflection points.
What Are Early Reflection Points. Spotlight on Bob Ebeling - Reflection Studio. GIK Acoustics Articles and Newsletters.
Monitor Positioning. GIK Acoustics Articles and Newsletters

[iipeacefrog]

The $2000 budget is solely for acoustic treatment....not the concrete or anything non-acoustic related. Glenn, could you elaborate?

[Jens Eklund]

Originally Posted by Jens Eklund

1. Learn how to make measurements: REW - Room EQ Wizard Home Page
Don’t do anything without measurements.

2. Find the best position. Usually centered up against a short wall, is the best place to start. Confirm with measurements. If the room is big, you can experiment with a position away from the wall but then usually more than approx. 1,5-2 meters from it (speakers).

3. Identify and treat your modal and SBIR related issues and educate yourself about different bass-absorbing techniques.

4. Treat areas that otherwise creates early reflections.

5. If the room is big enough, add diffusers (but read up on how to use diffusers before going nuts).


Always base your decisions regarding different treatment, on measurements. Avoid thin porous only absorbers (including wall to wall –carpet, drapes etc.) unless a measurement indicates the need for it. There are many informative threads lying around; find them.

/Jens

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by iipeacefrog

Glenn, could you elaborate?

Not really sure what you want me to elaborate on?

Do you have pictures and or a layout you can post?