Studio design help needed

Rick Hulett · Post by **Rick Hulett** » 30 Jul 2008 2:32 pm

I've got access to an old movie theater for cheap. I've got most of the gear I need and a budget for a remodel on parts of the theater. What I'd like to do is put a control room with isolation booth in place. There are two very small rooms on the stage that could also be used for iso booths. The idea would be that the space could be used for both recording and as a live music venue. I've got a basic design, but could use some help from someone with acoustic design experience to help with room dimensioning, mode calculation, etc. Basically, I want to avoid as many dumb mistakes as possible. If anyone has the expertise and is interested or if you know someone that would be interested, let me know. Here's a picture of the space in the process of being gutted.

Rick

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 30 Jul 2008 3:23 pm

http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/index.php

I've decided to 'step up' my home studio to accommodate bigger projects and found that bulletin board. Pretty informative concerning construction tips, acoustic treatments, calculating room modes, etc.

Craig Stenseth · Post by **Craig Stenseth** » 30 Jul 2008 6:51 pm

If you don't already look at the "Tape Op" message board, you might want to check that out. There is a section called "Making a Space" that has a lot of information along the lines you're looking for. They also put out a free magazine that's a pretty good read.

http://tapeop.com/messageboard/index.php

Rick Hulett · Post by **Rick Hulett** » 30 Jul 2008 10:14 pm

Thanks guys. I've found both those boards and read until I'm cross eyed. I think I know what to do. I'd just like some one to look over my shoulder and make sure I'm not making any obvious mistakes.

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 31 Jul 2008 9:41 am

also http://www.gearslutz.com

I know Larry Crane (editor of Tape Op) lives in Portland and built out Jackpot recently:

http://www.jackpotrecording.com/main.html

He's probably a great source of info.

Rick Hulett · Post by **Rick Hulett** » 31 Jul 2008 9:44 am

Chris, I has forgotten that. I think I'll see if I can get in touch with Larry. Thanks.

Rick

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 31 Jul 2008 7:21 pm

Awesome looking space with a ton of potential, Rick. I tried for a long time to find a theater that was quiet enough to use as a studio. With all the rooms I have built over the years, I tended to get the fundamentals in place and work with them for a while before doing too much--way better to start too live and work down than trying to liven up something too dead

...

Rick Hulett · Post by **Rick Hulett** » 31 Jul 2008 10:13 pm

Thanks John. As it turns out, I did a gig tonight and in the audience was an Acoustical Engineer who worked for Bose. She said that she'd built several studios in LA and recommended the same thing. She said to just be sure we separate the power and audio, go ahead and build the room and that she would come over and help us tune it when we're ready. Sometimes things just work out.