Building a Studio

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:40 pm

Hi, I'll be building a 12' x 20' studio. Concrete slab, with cathedral ceiling of about 13' height in the center, about 9' at the sides. I'm in the planning phase (hope to begin construction in June 2008), and I have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with:

A. I'm going to pay someone to put the shell up (lay foundation, frame it with 2x4's, cedar siding on outside, cathedral ceiling with no cross beams), and then do the room w/in a room construction myself. I've read Gervais's book, and plan to use the 2 leaf double wall construction since he says that's best. But I see that double drywall goes on the outside of the wall. does that mean that it goes like this?:

1. shell (I'm assuming with gaps sealed, and perhaps with rock wool in begtween studs?)
2. space
3. first wall (2 layers of drywall, insulation)
4. space
5. second wall (insulation, 2 layers of drywall on outer side)

B. How in the beejeezuz do I soundproof a cathedral ceiling? I would like to have the same level of soundproofing in ceiling as elsewhere. currently I'm considering using 2x6's for ceiling, and spray ceiling gaps with spray-on insulation, then placing barrier matting, then filling with mineral wool, then two layers of 5/8" drywall. How does that sound?

C. Floor. Since I have a slab for a floor, do I still need to float it, or can I just run cable through the walls and save some $ by just covering floor with plywood, but placing the studded wall assemblies on neoprene coasters directly on the slab?

Thank you!!
Charles

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:09 pm

Charles,

Welcome to RO and the insanity of a studio build....

I would encourage you to post your questions over in the Acoustics forum.

I will also say that you would be best served to read Rod's sticky "Please Read BEFORE Posting"...

The ASCII way to layering....

1. Outside
2. Exterior surface (T111, siding, etc)
3. Sheathing
4. Stud - filled with insulation

5. Air Gap

6. Stud - filled with insulation
7. Gypsum
8. Gypsum
9. Interior of room

What YOU originally described was a tripple leaf wall, which is to be avoided.

If you are planning on more than one room, you COULD do independent concrete pads and avoide the whole floating floor issue.

Again... pop on over to the Acoustics forum.....

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:32 pm

I just finished a similar project myself

16x44
14 ft ceilings
slab with radiant heat (very nice!)

I had the framing done mostly by a friend (traded studio time)
did the rest by myself (every day for 3 months)

I am wondering about your framing, which is 2x4 walls and 2x6 in the ceiling. I am in Maine so we should have similar building codes and I used 2x6 walls and 2x10 in the roof with 2x8 rafters. I may have over built, but you may want to double check.

I am also curious about your need to soundproof. Do you have neighbors nearby, or are you wanting the studio to have good acoustics. I am in a somewhat rural area so I did not worry about leakage and only used a single layer of sheetrock (except for the wall between the control room and the tracking room) My theory was that it was actually better to let some of the sound out rather than have it bouncing around inside the studio and back into the mics.

good luck
MarkG

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:37 am

I'll echo Mark's concern about your roof structure...

I'm in NC and have a LOT less snow load to worry about... and I just barely got by with 2x8 rafters. I would think your snow loads would require at least a 2x10.

Which brings up the subject of codes; permits and inspections... GET THEM!

Without permits and inspections, if something goes wrong... your local government and your insurance company can come back and put a hurtin' on you so bad, that you'ld NEVER recoup from it!

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:46 am

Thanks for the feedback guys and sorry about posting in the wrong area. I need to do some more studying it's clear, but I'll put future posts in the acoustics forum.

Charles

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:30 pm

If this build is using 12' as the base and approx. 4 feet height (9 feet tall walls and 13' roof peak height) it will produce an 8/12 pitch witch is, what, 38 degrees from the the wall plate to the peak?

You can bob sled off of that can't ya?

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