New Studio Construction

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:00 am

Hi,
This is my first post and my first attempt at building a studio. I have been surfing the posts and reading Rod Gervais book. My budget is about $35,000.00 USD not including gear. The studio will be built in an existing 30' X 30' metal building. It has a 4" concrete slab. The metal walls have 2" of insulation and I plan to build standard wood framing with 3" Auralex insulation inside the current structure. I hope to start construction in May 2008. I have not drawn much of the isolation construction needed yet but will add that as I get closer to the final version. The building is in an isolated area several miles from the nearest city so neighbors are not a problem. The HVAC and Electrical systems are going to done by professionals who have some experience with studios.
Are there any serious flaws with the general layout?
I was considering using a floating floor system using Microllam Beams and TJI Joists. Does anyone have any thoughts on that system in a recording studio?
Any Ideas on the best approach to wire the console and live room?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Peace
Reg
http://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=redskyv19yg2.jpg

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:38 pm

Quote:

I was considering using a floating floor system using Microllam Beams and TJI Joists.

That would indeed be a floating floor! Wink

I keep reading about mass / density in respect to isolation. Every page I turn...more mass and more density . I have books piled up in the corners and webpages printed in another pile and they all say the same thing...mass /density.
With mass / density in mind, I think glue-lams and wood I-beams as a floor is a flawed idea. I'm not making light of it.

Considering the cost of concrete vs whatever you are going to spend to build this framed floor PLUS make it transparent..just seems excessive. And your budget isn't excessive monies.

Is a Floating Floor Right For You? Answer: Probably NOT.:
http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8173

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:34 pm

Thanks for the reply,
I was thinking of the floating floor more for the ease of wiring under the floor. However, I see your point from a cost standpoint. Would you suggest all the wiring be in the walls and scrap the whole floating floor idea?
Thanks
Reg

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:47 am

Reg,

if you read the book - the answer is in there -

WHat you propose to do is the building of a large drum head - even properly built with isolation supports is isn't any good for a studio - and in fact might well hurt........

But - if you were to build something along the lines of a 2x6 frame - place your conduits for pulling your low voltage lines through - and (once all done) fill itwith sand to the bring before laying down the phywood deck - then that would work just fine.

Rod

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:54 am

BTW -

as far as your design goes - I would change the live room -

it's symmetrical - and it should be assymetrical in order to avoid many modal issues - - flutter echo - etc., etc.

you want symmetry on a control room so you have balanced stereo left to right - but look at how difficult it is to treat the room to get the sound right for just a small area (the listening spot we call the sweet spot).

Why would you want that in a room where you could be placing a microphone anywhere in the space - just to have that area screw things up?

OK?

Rod

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:39 pm

Wow, thanks for the response. I will go back and re-read a few of those chapters in your book.
As for the layout, I sometimes record small choirs and I was worried I would not have enough room for all the musicians in the live room. Here is another version adding a bass trap behind the drums and another wall by the entrance. What do you think?
Reg
http://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=redskyv20fq9.jpg

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:44 pm

It hasn't mentioned yet. You said the budget is $35,000 for a 900 ft^2 facility. This is VERY low. You might be able to do it. Calculate the cost of what you want to do, and see how it compares with your initial budget.

Andre

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:30 am

why add the wall?

Why not just take the existing walls and using the top point of the bath wall - rotate the wall below outward by say 14 degrees - that will acheive the same thing and give you more live room at the same time.

Rod

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:32 pm

The budget is a flexible issue. I can spend less on some equipment upgrades if needed and use more on the building. I am also counting on some cheap labor (me and my teenage son).

Thanks to Rod for the feedback on the layout and the floor. I will post some pictures when we get started.
Reg

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