Multi use studio build questions

[Justice]

I am in the process of looking for a new house to purchase once I complete the sale of my dads house. One of the requirements for the new place will be room to build a multi use studio.

It would be able to be used for rehearsals, recording (audio and video) and down the road, live streaming of performances. The house I am currently looking at has a detached garage that is approx 950 square feet. I would be converting about 400 sq feet for the studio.

My debate is do I want to do a standard control room/ live room setup or do I want to do an open setup? I'm thinking for the video and performance streaming that the open concept my be the way to go. Of course I'll know better once I have actually aquired the space and begin laying out the studio.

Audio recording wise my plane is to bring in a Behringer X32 and connect it to my MacPro since the X32 can act as both the interface and the control surface for recording, and would also pull double duty for mixing the rehearsal, performance and streaming audio for those events as well.

So any preferences, pros or cons about either style of studio?

 

[And I]

If you're mostly going to be playing while recording, I would just leave the space open. 400 sq feet is a decent size but if you split it into two rooms, it might be that neither will be big enough... No need for the "traditional" recording studio setup if you're not going to use it like a traditional recording studio, where the engineer is in the control room while the band is playing.

 

[silky smoove]

I'm starting to build a similar sized space to what you're describing. Mine will be 364sf upon completion. Read the thread I've started about it. You can skip the backstory and jump to the basic design section a few posts in. Most importantly is the "soft wall" design that Tom at GIK worked up for me as a solution to having a live room/control room setup in a space this size without having to deal with the common problems associated with rooms that small.

My New Studio Build (perhaps overly detailed) | TalkBass.com

 

[ofajen]

ASC Studio Traps are very handy for both tracking and mixing. I've used them with great results for 15 years.

Otto

 

[ScottTunes]

If I'd known then what I know now... I would have built the largest space I could, and kept my options open.

IME/IMO, keep it large/open.

You can use GOBOs, and other temporary methods of dividing up the space if/when needed.

A smaller space is harder to tune, and can cause too many problems.

 

[silky smoove]

A smaller space is harder to tune, and can cause too many problems.

This depends completely on construction methods. If you build a conventional wall with drywall on each side, then I absolutely agree with you. If you build it as a "soft wall" by constructing a frame of 1" dimensional lumber, filling it with rockwool, then skinning the outside with something like Guilfords of Maine "Anchorage" style fabric, you'll end up with a dividing wall that provides isolation between spaces without the negative acoustic benefits of hard reflective surfaces. In fact, it will act as a giant bass trap and likely improve conditions in a small space.