When designing your electrical and lighting systems for your recording studio, here are some things to consider:
1) Make sure you have isolated circuits “ dedicated” with an isolated ground for recording gear, amplifiers and musical instruments.
2) The lighting should be designed with fixtures that are surface mount rather than recessed (LED bulbs create little to no heat).
There are different products on the market today that are very costly, that just regular silicone can take the place of.
When sealing joints, boxes, wall to floor etc. just regular silicone preforms exceptionally well. This can be purchased at your local hardware store for less than 5 dollars a tube. I would suggest purchasing this one case at a time when constructing a new studio.
To build a legal professional recording studio “with permits” you first have to check with Building and Safety and Plan Check and Zoning.
In Los Angeles for example we have run into several locations that had specific restrictions for recording studios and rehearsal rooms. Of course, this will cost you either your time or if you hire a professional a little bit of money but it is important before you enter into a lease or the planning phase of your recording studio, that you have verified your zoning requirements.
Doors and windows are key in the construction of any professional recording studio. Some studios will use video monitoring/ camera system in lei of a double window and in some cases this works fine.
A proper studio window will consist of two separate windows, which are fabricated to fit the opening.
Something to consider when building a sound proof recording studio is to provide proper ventilation, air conditioning and heating to the spaces. Since the rooms will have air tight seals for doors and windows, you must have proper ventilation and fresh air for your artists and engineers.
The best way to accomplish this is by having a separate fresh air supply blower and a separate exhaust fan blower. This way you can exchange the stale air with fresh air on a constant basis.
A proper recording studio design would include not only wall, ceiling and floor sound proofing but would also include layout for the following:
1) ISO Booth
2) Live Room
3) Control Room
If you are planning on a new recording studio or remodeling your existing recording studio it is best to design and develop a plan that will accommodate your new, future and existing gear.
Recording engineers have specific needs and the best solution to meet these needs is a custom desk with integrated rack systems that are not only easy to run but also have easy accessibility for your cabling and configuration needs.
Video monitors are a big part of the design and layout not to mention reference monitors and desk space to accommodate these. Proper wire chassis and gutter systems that make easy access for cabling from control room to ISO booths to live rooms is essential.
When you sound proof rooms for recording you are basically doing 2 things; you are trying to stop sound from coming in and sound from going out. This is accomplished by sealing doors and windows and any place where sound can come in or go out.
Installing solid core doors, double windows and double wall/ceilings is the best way to accomplish a true sound proof recording room. Using sound silicone weather strip gaskets for doors and windows will accomplish the best results. I also recommend using silicone caulking for all joints including floors and ceiling.
Musicians and recording engineers can save tens of thousands of dollars by building an in-home recording studio.
With the cost of professional studios rising building your own in- home recording studio can be a viable option.
First thing you should do is check with your local government agency to make sure your recording studio can be legally permitted and installed.
Next, put together a budget of what it is you would like to spend on your recording studio. Note, a min budget of 5,000 would be needed to even get started and 20,000 to 50,000 would be the average cost for a home recording studio.
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