My New Studio Build (perhaps overly detailed)

[CryingBass]

At least you aren't in Ventura Co CA, eh? Man, I feel for those people.
And I am certain some of them in Malibu have studios too.
Have you started cabling yet? ( between gear, I ASSume not )

 

[silky smoove]

Have you started cabling yet?

Cabling? As in, installing permanently wired XLR runs?

 

[Stumbo]

Due to the wall section asymmetry the door has to be swung the opposite direction of how I wanted. It is now swinging in the least optimal way possible for the space, which really stinks. It’s my fault for not taking it into consideration when planning. I would have ordered a door with the opposite swing if I had thought of this.

Can you order another door?

 

[silky smoove]

Can you order another door?

I could, although not in any practical sense. I spent $3,398 on the door after taxes and shipping, and am just shy of a grand on the install. This is a specialty product that I couldn’t easily flip, and the notion of laying out another $4,400 for a second attempt isn’t feasible.

 

[Microbass]

Can you order another door?

$2k for a door....

I guess we can only attempt to console you silky, like, how often is it going to be a PITA, really?
And without unlimited space and funds there will always be compromise...

Does it open into the studio space or into the storage area?

 

[Microbass]

I could, although not in any practical sense. I spent $3,398 on the door after taxes and shipping, and am just shy of a grand on the install. This is a specialty product that I couldn’t easily flip, and the notion of laying out another $4,400 for a second attempt isn’t feasible.

My estimate was way under

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

There is no way to modify the door to work correctly for your needs?

 

[Stumbo]

I could, although not in any practical sense. I spent $3,398 on the door after taxes and shipping, and am just shy of a grand on the install. This is a specialty product that I couldn’t easily flip, and the notion of laying out another $4,400 for a second attempt isn’t feasible.

Any pics? What makes it special?

 

[silky smoove]

I guess we can only attempt to console you silky, like, how often is it going to be a PITA, really?
And without unlimited space and funds there will always be compromise...

Does it open into the studio space or into the storage area?

It was going to open into the main room. Now it opens into the vestibule. Since it’s right hand door the entire jamb had to be spun 180-degrees (again, entirely due to the assymetry of the wall section with a single layer of drywall on one side, and the double layer with an air gap on the other which locates the 2x6 studs off-center to the door jamb). So now it not only opens into the vestibule, it also opens opposite the exterior door. To put a finer point on it; You’ll walk in the exterior door, step in and to the right, close the exterior door, swing the main room door open and enter the studio. If it were just that it opened into the vestibule, but the lever was on the same side as the exterior handset it would be a much more ergonomic move. Additionally, now I can’t access the side of the vestibule intended for the drum rack while the main room is open. Enter vestibule, close door, take drum off rack, back up across the entire vestibule to clear the door, open door, take drum into studio, repeat as needed. This is a major loss of functionality.

 

[silky smoove]

There is no way to modify the door to work correctly for your needs?

Nope

 

[silky smoove]

Any pics? What makes it special?

Google: IsoDoor HD/LF

 

[ahc]

I know this will sound ridiculous but can it be installed upside down?

 

[peterpalmieri]

It was going to open into the main room. Now it opens into the vestibule. Since it’s right hand door the entire jamb had to be spun 180-degrees (again, entirely due to the assymetry of the wall section with a single layer of drywall on one side, and the double layer with an air gap on the other which locates the 2x6 studs off-center to the door jamb). So now it not only opens into the vestibule, it also opens opposite the exterior door. To put a finer point on it; You’ll walk in the exterior door, step in and to the right, close the exterior door, swing the main room door open and enter the studio. If it were just that it opened into the vestibule, but the lever was on the same side as the exterior handset it would be a much more ergonomic move. Additionally, now I can’t access the side of the vestibule intended for the drum rack while the main room is open. Enter vestibule, close door, take drum off rack, back up across the entire vestibule to clear the door, open door, take drum into studio, repeat as needed. This is a major loss of functionality.

Can you modify the rough opening and then reinstall the door? Even if it takes some rredoing Sheetrock and framing it would seem to be worth it.

 

[Microbass]

I assume you’ll have considered or look went through every option already but could the exterior door be modified to compensate?

Would drums not be set up mostly permanently?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Sigh! Not the way that you wanted it but opening the IsoDoor into the vestibule allows you to use the studio wall space near the door differently.

As suggested, it may be less expensive to modify or replace the exterior door.

 

[silky smoove]

I know this will sound ridiculous but can it be installed upside down?

Nope. The bottom seal is mechanical and required for isolation.

 

[silky smoove]

Can you modify the rough opening and then reinstall the door? Even if it takes some rredoing Sheetrock and framing it would seem to be worth it.

The rough opening isn’t the problem. The wall assembly and door swing direction that I selected are the problem. Those can’t be changed at this point.

 

[silky smoove]

I assume you’ll have considered or look went through every option already but could the exterior door be modified to compensate?

Would drums not be set up mostly permanently?

The exterior door could be replaced, but that’s more costs I don’t want to deal with.

Drums will come in and out depending on what’s getting recorded. A solo vocalist will be done without drums in the room, for instance. Also, I have multiple kits, so even when they’re setup the kit for a session might change.

 

[silky smoove]

I appreciate the consideration everyone, but I just have to chalk this aspect up as a partial loss. There’s no viable solution that doesn’t involve more money than I’m willing to spend at this point.

 

[Stumbo]

. This is a major loss of functionality.

For all the other obstacles you've overcome , order a new door. A year or twenty from now , you won't regret it.