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How would you setup this studio

G

gareth dunster

Dec 8, 2009
296
3
#1
Hi
We just rented an industrial space to use as a shared band practice studio.
There'll be a bunch of guitar amps, a 2x10 bass amp, v-drums and acoustic drum kit and a keyboard amp and electric piano.There'll also be an 8 track mixer and two powered 15 inch pa speakers
The idea is that we don't have any walk in hourly rate type renters, only a couple of bands that we know who practice regularly and want a more personal space.
This is not really for recording in initially.
The total area is about 900 square ft. Its a concrete construction with very crappy wood frame internal walls( shown in red) which are skinned in 1/4 inch ply, very flimsy.
The windows are single pane metal frame going right across the front of the building and we're on the 20th floor.
The left hand neighbor has painting classes at night sometimes, the right hand neighbor is a food wholesaler, so he leaves around 7ish daily.
How would you you set up this space for internal sound issues and for minimizing annoying the neighbors.
Cheapness is the key consideration.
Thoughts?????
 
#2
room layout
 

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#3
gareth dunster said:
How would you you set up this space for internal sound issues and for minimizing annoying the neighbors.
Cheapness is the key consideration.
Thoughts?????
Click to expand...

I´m afraid it´s more than a setup issue. It takes soundproofing, and that, depending on your budget, might not be cheap. Soundproofing means mass, and air-tight construction. Acoustic treatment, if needed (and usually is), will be cheaper.
 
#4
Without building a room within a room what about a plasterboard wall along the main area filled with fibreglass? Would this be worth the bother in sound reduction?
Any ideas for the window without blocking it up. The view is out over the sea and I don't want to lose it.
I was thinking about a wooden frame with double plexiglass panels with rubber strip around the edge to seal it against the window surround.
I've also heard that the bass amp and drumkit is the major source of noise, so was going to try to get it off the floor, maybe with some of those rubber playground tiles or maybe with a riser on wheels.
How much would this help much?
 
#6
For the windows, I'd say heavy privacy curtains; (as used in hotels or theaters) would be the easiest option. Open and close as desired. Likely as effective as your "plexi-box" idea.

Getting the bass amp off the floor will help a bit, as would a drum screen for the drums; ( these can be built for cheaper than bought if your inclined and already have the needed tools.) Carpeting/rugs on the floor are practically a must.

If the "inner" walls aren't insulated they are acting as reverberation chambers; w/o tearing them out and adding insulation, the best that can be done is likely using carpet padding. If that's not enough may need to add carpeting on top of the padding. IMO, if thats not enough, your stuck unless you totally redo the walls.

Other than that there are a few other recent threads, pertaining to sound diffusion/dispersal; where different suggestions are offered.


How is the ceiling treated?
 
#7
The curtains idea is good. I looked it yesterday and holy crap they're expensive. So, I'm on the lookout for used curtains now.
The ceiling is bare concrete with huge beams.
I was thinking of suspending some flippable double sided panels with carpet on one side, some kind of profiled wood on the other.
I'm contemplating making a bunch of movable multi surfaced panel/screens so we can play with the acoustics a bit.
If anyone has tried this I'd like to hear your results.
 
#8
Proper soundproofing and acoustic treatment will likely cost a mint.

Since you already have v-drums, the most practical (and probably best sounding) solution would be to run everybody through a mixing board that has a few aux sends.

Then feed a headphone amp that offers at least a few individualized mixes, and you're golden. If you wanted to get fancy, you could run wireless in-ear transmitters from the mixing board instead.
 
#10
We've tried headphones in the past and it just doesn't do it, although we'll have that available.
I was hoping vainly for some kind of McGyver super fix, but we all know how that works out in the real world.
Looks like good old plasterboard, wood, rock wool and carpets are the order of the day, and a weeks hard work.
 
#12
gareth dunster said:
We've tried headphones in the past and it just doesn't do it...
Click to expand...

What were your band's problems with a headphone mix? It's a pretty well-mapped application with known solutions to most of the pitfalls.

Still, if one of the musicians has issues with wearing headphones, you could instead run the pre-amps and v-drums through a PA (or even through robust home stereo speakers) at fairly low volumes and still get a polished sounding mix that won't upset the neighbors. The major disadvantages to an open-air solution compared to headphones are that you need to be more careful about monitoring volumes, and you won't get individualized mixes for each player unless you set up near-field monitors for each musician.
 
#13
I didn't think there was much to like about it at all. I didn't like the wires or the sound , the lack of air movement or the feeling that my bfellow band members were playing inside my skull.
The drummer seemed to enjoy it.
I suppose if everyone has a mic so you can communicate during practice it would work better and a sensible wiring layout would mean less drunken tripping/wire ripping antics.
Generally though our practice sessions are loose beery events and headphones didn't seem to fit in.
Also, this is a multi band space and most people like to make a lot of noise, it's part of the fun.
There will be the PA in the room as well and this is how our acoustic band usually plays, but it's still gets quite raucous.
 

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