Studio construction/design Consultants in CT/USA??

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:36 am

Before we really get into defining/constructing our studio space and requirments, it has been suggested that there are professionals who consult and offer their suggestions on the best use of the space for a fee.

Not sure a phone consult is best, prefer p2p.

We're debating on 2 things in our design:

1- one or two rooms in a 29'X11' space & should we push that back to33'x11' to accomodate two rooms (is that increase really worth it)

2- what's the best ceiling construction to isolate as much sound as possible (heavy metal band) - w/what exists now.

Does anyone have a good referral of someone in CT/USA? Is there a link to a site with names & contact info.

Any range of fee costs???

Apologies if this is not allowed... or if I've missed the link in some other posting.

Thanks much.
Dee

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:54 am

www.blackmersound.com

They're out of Boston, but I can't see why they wouldn't want to travel to CT.

Not sure of their fees, though.

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:02 pm

muthrerth wrote:

it has been suggested that there are professionals who consult and offer their suggestions on the best use of the space for a fee.

I'm in New Milford, CT and I do this sort of consulting all the time. Usually my services are free, included with the purchase of my company's products. But it depends on how much advice you need and what type. I'm not an isolation expert, but I can help you with all aspects of acoustics and treatment and room sizes etc. Rod Gervais, who moderates this forum, is a consultant who's expert with isolation, and Rod is also here in CT.

Quote:

one or two rooms in a 29'X11' space & should we push that back to33'x11' to accomodate two rooms (is that increase really worth it)

I prefer all in one room unless you're recording bands with drummers for hire.

Quote:

what's the best ceiling construction to isolate as much sound as possible (heavy metal band) - w/what exists now.

Where do you need to isolate? To the next room? To neighbors 100 feet away? Isolation usually requires more than dealing with just the ceiling.

--Ethan

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:21 pm

Thanks for jumping in Ethan.

We were actually at Home Depot purchasing/scheduling the delivery of the sheet rock, lumber and insulation (pink fluffy).

Even if you're an acoustics expert, would you be able to see the existing space / structure and give us your thoughts on the best construction method?

I'd like to make sure we have the right materials in hand for our build schedule. We have the muscle (school vacation) and skilled labor coordinated for next week - Mon>Thurs.

We will have drums in the space for my son and the band..not sure if that's different from what you mentioned - "drummers for hire". But I'm always thinking about what might be going on and preparing for the future...

As far as the where we need to isolate goes...

The space we're planning is directly beneath the home's kitchen and dining room of a ranch style home - hence the ceiling concern. The house is 2200sqft on the main floor with a full basement - walk out feature to the back yard (french doors are NOT inside the studio space). Not concerned about the neighbors.
Also planned for the lower level is a home theatre that will be just on the other side of the 29' wall. We're planning to put a bar/pool table/rec-room in the space outside the shorter (11') wall.

I've planned double wall construction per Rod's book on all the walls on the interior and will come off the two foundation walls w/ 2x4s, insulation and two layers 1-sheetrock/1-homasote soundboard.

While I was out I scanned and e mailed the drawings to myself (w/2 room design - haven't had time to make new ones yet) and the total basement floor pland drawings. They were 17"x11" - too large for my scanner. I can either e mail them to you directly for review and comment or I will be setting up a site to post them and photos for a link to post.

Yes we'll be needing various acoustical treatments and was recommended to your company for such.

Hard to sleep with all this excitment!

Let me know about sending you the drawings ...

Cheers.
Dee

We'd love to see these guys have a place where they don't have to wait till someones' grampa leaves the house to practice and/or record! Not to mention all the other creative stuff!

We're determined to giterdone.

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:53 pm

Not to cut Ethan out... not my intent, but our moderator Rod Gervais is also in your neck of the woods.

Just a thought.

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:20 am

Having Rod consult would be very cool! (no dis intended to Ethan here either) With him being in CT - even better. Unfortunately - maybe I haven't looked in the right place, but - couldn't find his contact info.

Always been one to gather info from many sources to form my own opinions/plans.

Originally I tried to link to Rod's web site noted in the book, but the url is unavailable www.rodssoundsolutions.com

Also figured he must be swamped with people like myself and/or not available. I notice he's on other recording forums, as well. Busy guy.

If you..or someone else here - could point me in the right direction for contact info, that would be great.

Many thanks.
Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:29 am

Ok..DUH!!

found it.

But Hey - I am new to the "forum" style of things..

Apparently Rod's e mail is available as an option when he responds to a post....

Thanks for the nudge.
Dee

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:30 am

MadMax wrote:

Not to cut Ethan out... not my intent, but our moderator Rod Gervais is also in your neck of the woods.

Heh, I said that in my first post. Smile

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:36 am

muthrerth wrote:

Even if you're an acoustics expert, would you be able to see the existing space / structure and give us your thoughts on the best construction method?

I'm really not the right guy for that job. I know the basics of construction, but I'm not expert enough to give advice worth charging for. Embarassed

Quote:

The space we're planning is directly beneath the home's kitchen and dining room of a ranch style home - hence the ceiling concern.

I do know enough about isolation to tell you that it will not be cheap or easy to reduce the amount of sound traveling upstairs.

Quote:

Yes we'll be needing various acoustical treatments and was recommended to your company for such.

I can definitely help you with that when you're ready.

--Ethan

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:51 am

Yes, you did say Rod was THE guy. & right here in CT.

and so ...I have inquired/requested about a consultation with Rod via e mail.

With what will be going on in the space, construction and financial limitations, we hope to build the best we can afford. I have no fantasies about perfection when it comes to containing the sound of these guys when they get rockin'.
Good that the bedrooms are on the other end of the house. :>)

Providing the space and encouraging their creativity is the prime goal. When we shopped for a house this fall, the space for their music was on the "must have" list.

Looking forward to all of it!

Cheers,
Dee

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:49 pm

and just in case, Rod also has an excellent book you will want to have called "Home Studio Construction - Build It Like The Pros" which contains invaluable information for design, isolation, and treatments.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:59 pm

Hi Dee,

There are a few choices here for your isolated floor. We recommend that you use the Auralex U boats or soft Neoprene strips at 6" x 5/8" wide in a criss cross fashion, but Neoprene can somewhat costly.

As for your walls, we would recommend Sheetbloc plus between your 5/8" sheet rock with added 4 lbs fibrex mineral wool between the frame work. You would also need to use sound control paste or sheet rock glue on the frame to the first layer of sheet rock.

Note - the remainder of this post was edited by Rod......... sorry - but we do not allow free advertising here.......... please do like everyone else and pay for a banner to help support RO if you wish to use Ro to support your business.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:40 pm

RecordingStudioDesign wrote:

As for your walls, we would recommend Sheetbloc plus between your 5/8" sheet rock with added 4 lbs fibrex mineral wool between the frame work. You would also need to use sound control paste or sheet rock glue on the frame to the first layer of sheet rock.

Note - the remainder of this post was edited by Rod......... sorry - but we do not allow free advertising here.......... please do like everyone else and pay for a banner to help support RO if you wish to use Ro to support your business.

Suffolk Studio Design

Hey, do you guys have Prince Albert in a can?

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:41 am

RecordingStudioDesign wrote:

Hi Dee,

There are a few choices here for your isolated floor. We recommend that you use the Auralex U boats or soft Neoprene strips at 6" x 5/8" wide in a criss cross fashion, but Neoprene can somewhat costly.

As for your walls, we would recommend Sheetbloc plus between your 5/8" sheet rock with added 4 lbs fibrex mineral wool between the frame work. You would also need to use sound control paste or sheet rock glue on the frame to the first layer of sheet rock.

Note - the remainder of this post was edited by Rod......... sorry - but we do not allow free advertising here.......... please do like everyone else and pay for a banner to help support RO if you wish to use Ro to support your business.

Very sorry guys! We are new to this forum and had no intention of advertising. I noticed in the previous post that a website to a company was noted and that the original poster was asking for contact information for further help. I was offering some free advice, but will review the rules in more detail. I did not see this as crossing the line. We were only trying to help. Sorry, please accept our apologies!

Bob Embarassed

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