Building a Listening Space: Step1-Acoustics Forum-Acoustic Fields Forum

Hi All.

I’ve never had a space for my music before but I’ve now got that opportunity. So whatever happens I’m ahead of the game. I have a blank sheet of paper on ‘what to do’ and a blank piece of ground to do it on but also plenty of constraints.

1. I have an initial budget. I have no idea yet, how far it can take me. I lack the building skills but I can do the grunt work.

2. It’s a music room.
It’s where I will practice and record, mix and listen to my records. Practice and recording have no particular requirements. The recording is all DI other than vocals.
It will be sound-resistant as we have neighbours I will not upset.

3. It’s an Office.
There will be a partitioned section where I’ll be earning my keep. This will double up as a vocal booth if needed.

4. It’s a summer entertainments room
There will be a large glassed frontage opening out onto the garden where friends and neighbours can grab a beer, talk a load of nonsense and enjoy some music, live or otherwise.

-oOo-

I’m aware of the difficulties that the glass will present to listening and sound-resistance. I’ll probably need a double frontage to assist with sound-resistance and I’ll need to do something on the inside to reduce the effect of the glass on the listening experience. Moveable screens of some type maybe?

With the conflicts in requirements and eventual cash constraints, I know I will have to compromise. Whatever happens, it’s going to be educational.

-oOo-

The first question then, is on the general construction approach to take. i.e. The things I’ll need to discuss with the builder to get things moving.

I assume a suitable concrete base. But what should I use for walls and roof. High density block (0.5kg/1.1lb each)? Concrete bricks(2.2kg/5lb each)? Timber? I’m thinking a vaulted roof rather than flat one and high density block (for better wall mass than timber and less labour than concrete brick). Timber cladding for aesthetics.

Any thoughts or comments are welcome.