ACOUSTIC DESIGN FOR THE PROJECT STUDIO

What is a "project studio?" Does a "project studio" have acoustic considerations that are different from any other type of studio?

The dictionary defines project as an undertaking requiring concerted effort. We can then assume that a project studio is one built (or configured) for a particular project, be it record, film or television score, jingle, or any other type of project. Certainly any studio - The Record Plant or your garage- configured for a particular project could fit this definition.

Since this is a discussion of acoustics rather than semantics, lets us assume that the term "project studio" is what used to be a "personal use" or "home studio" with a "very limited budget."

If budget is the operative word, what should a studio cost to build? As a basis for comparison, the typical office TI (tenant improvement) project costs $25-35/SF. That's for basic partitions (2 x 4 or metal studs with sheet rock and no insulation), $3/SY carpet and suspended acoustic ceilings in an existing shell. Today's typical house can cost $100-125/SF.

A commercial studio can cost $150-180/SF or more. A very common project studio was previously a two car garage, about 400 SF. You can do the math. You could buy two cars to put in that garage! What can be deleted?

The laws of physics are not different for a project studio. Nor are the laws of economics for that matter. Either the budget must match the performance requirements or the requirements must be reduced to match the available budget. Trade-offs must be made.

A significant portion of the budget is targeted at isolation, both from the outside in and from the inside to any neighbors. If there is a choice of locations, many dollars can be cut from the isolation budget merely by locating the studio away from external noise sources and potentially impacted neighbors.

More often than not, the site is predetermined. However, the basic principle still applies -within the limits of the site, the proper location and even orientation of the studio can help minimize the costs. There are no magic tricks involved, simply common sense. (Experience helps, too).

Attention should be directed at getting the most for your money. A design that addresses budgetary issues is a step in the right direction. Even more important is proper execution.

For example, resilient channel is often specified for high isolation wall systems. The channel partially decouples the layers of gypsum board from the supporting wood or metal studs. All too often, the wrong size screws are used, with enough finding the studs beyond to defeat the benefits of this system.

Doors and windows are always a problem in any type of studio. It is common construction practice to use shims to align door jambs. This leaves a 3/8" to 1/2" gap between the framing and the jamb. If this is just covered with the casing as is normal, there is left an acoustical hole that will negate most of the isolation provide by the door or wall. Every potential sound path must be sealed airtight. This also applies to metal door frames.

Along with limited budget, limited space is a feature of many project studios. Isolation construction, geometric and acoustic treatment, especially for low frequencies, all takes up precious space. Again, there are no magical solutions. The ergonomics of equipment layout often takes precedence to acoustic concerns.

For best stereo imaging, the room should be laid out symmetrically. If monitor loudspeakers are not soffit mounted, care should be taken in their placement. Avoid placing them equidistant from the intersection of two walls and the floor or ceiling.

Low frequency control is important in any room. But due to limited space, there are few options. ASC Tube Traps or RPG Abfussors are two off the shelf products that offer extended low frequency absorption. Foam and fiberglass panels tend to be ineffective below 250-300 Hz.

What is in store for the future? Automated and robotic construction should make available affordable prefabricated modular wall systems. DSP technology will bring about several exciting developments in studio design. Auralization will enable the acoustics of a space to be previewed before a hammer is ever lifted. Processors that can correct time domain problems are now available and hopefully will soon an option for the project studio.

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