Equipment Placement For Best Mixing Results

[BriHar]

I'd put the desk against what you now refer to as the rear wall, this would give better symmetry for the mix position, the drum position could be similarly inverted. As it is now proposed, I'd fear the lack of trap combined with the recessed door on the right side, plus the window on the left at a 1st reflection point would adversly skew your sound field at the desk.

[6L6MAN]

Originally Posted by BriHar

I'd put the desk against what you now refer to as the rear wall, this would give better symmetry for the mix position, the drum position could be similarly inverted. As it is now proposed, I'd fear the lack of trap combined with the recessed door on the right side, plus the window on the left at a 1st reflection point would adversly skew your sound field at the desk.

Thanks for the reply BriHar. I'm in the process of building a plug for the window that will consist of several layers of soundproofing followed by a 3" sheet of acoustical foam. Also, do you have any recommendations on types of treatments that could be applied to the door and corner area?

Thanks

[BriHar]

You seem set on your current orientation, is there a specific reason?

Regarding the door corner, perhaps a trap on a hinge that could swing in from the wall - this is not uncommon in this kind of situation (also seen it done with trapping on wheels).

[6L6MAN]

Originally Posted by BriHar

You seem set on your current orientation, is there a specific reason?

Regarding the door corner, perhaps a trap on a hinge that could swing in from the wall - this is not uncommon in this kind of situation (also seen it done with trapping on wheels).

Not just dead set on it, but based on my recording it would give me more room. I will be recording mostly guitars and it will allow more space if the largest wall is not blocked with the desk. If it will make that big of a difference then I move desk to the larger wall. I was planing on installing diffusers across the entire rear wall with sound absorption above and below. With this being said would the odd shaped door still be an issue.

Thanks for your help.

[Syncamorea]

Unless your rig is huge, just track as drawn, then flip the room to mix.

I lug a bunch of gear to different venues to record, so I know it's no big deal to flip a room. Optimize your treatments for the mix orientation.

[6L6MAN]

Originally Posted by Syncamorea

Unless your rig is huge, just track as drawn, then flip the room to mix.

I lug a bunch of gear to different venues to record, so I know it's no big deal to flip a room. Optimize your treatments for the mix orientation.

Thanks for the reply. Flipping the room back and forth would not be an option. The mixing console will be permanently mounted to the wall. Also, I'm covering the rear wall with diffusion and the front will be absorption. This room is not an office or bedroom / studio, it's only going to be used as a studio so I'm free to apply treatments as needed. The window can be thrown out of the equation. I was planning on building a plug for it but if need be I can remove the whole thing, brick it up and sheet rock over it. I was under the impression that the treatments rear of the mixing area were more crucial than in front. If I flipped the room, I'm not sure how the diffusion will perform in the offset corner next to the door. What's your thoughts? Thanks.

[BriHar]

In that case, I'd lose the window and place the mixing desk on that wall this will give you a greater depth, and the effect of the door well will probably be minimal (the greater the distance behind you - the critical treatments are the ones nearest you - sides and front - 1st reflection points) and should be easily treated with an absorber mounted right on the door. The drums can be shifted to the corner opposite the door i.e. the proposed layout shown above can be rotated left 90° within the space.

[6L6MAN]

Thanks, BriHar. Closing in the window this weekend.