John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

This is my first post! So much great information on this forum....where to begin. I am in the research/planning phase of a new studio project. I am planning to build a 2 story 3 1/2 car garage (24x36' approx.) and want to build out my studio upstairs. It will NOT be connected directly to the main living area, but rather separated by either a porte cochere or a mud room area. I've seen a ton of information about how to alter whats already been built, but as I've got an opportunity to build from the ground up, I thought I'd reach out to anyone who has attempted the "upstairs garage" scenario. I've read Rods book and have a lot of design idea's as well. I will be working along side the construction crew and guiding the process. The home is in a residential area and I will undoubtedly be recording full bands. My vision (in a perfect world) is to have 2 large primary areas...the control room and the live room with a small iso booth, storage closet and half bath. I haven't seen a lot of second story garage studios, and am curious about the "pitfalls" or things to beware of. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Songwriter/producer from the Detroit area. Currently in the planning/researching phase of a new studio build. Most of my projects can be linked to through www.facebook.com/scottchristymusic

Hi "Lakehouse". Welcome.

You haven't seen many because they are hard to do, and expensive! The issue is isolation: If you don't need any isolation at all, then a second floor studio is a real possibility. But if you do need isolation (and clearly you do, since you mention that you need a live room as well as a control room), then things get a bit more complicated. Isolating requires mass. Lots of it. Mass is heavy (duh!). Putting a huge amount of weight (several tons) on the second floor implies major support structure underneath, on the first floor. That costs money. So if you have plenty of money, then a second floor studio is also possible. If not, then you have two choices: 1) Live with little to no isolation (not usually a viable option). 2) Build on the first floor.

That's one of the reasons why the introductory message for all newcomers asks that you post detailed information about what you are trying to do, such as how loud you are, how quite you need to be, what type of studio it is, what type of music and instruments, what your budget is, etc.

If you could provide that information then we can give you a more realistic answer as to whether your plan is feasible or not.


- Stuart -

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I want this studio to amaze people. "That'll do" doesn't amaze people.

Stuart thanks for the input. I suspected as much after reading the various posts and books. Unfortunately I am limited to where I can set up shop. More info....I will be getting loud, as I do hard rock (marshall stacks 8x10 bass cabs, drums etc). In my old studio/practice space (basement) we cranked it up 2 nights a week (until 11pm) without incident. Also, I forgot to mention that I am on a 1 acre lot....so my (2) neighbors are each about 150-200 feet from the garage. Ideally I need the live room to double as a practice space...so it needs to allow me to crank 2 marshall cabs/bass cab/drums/PA system. The studio is private...only local bands that I'm involved with. I do a lot of writing and tracking myself and have had several songs placed in movies etc. My budget is 60-80K. I figured I'd have to frame the garage out with 2x6 and do all the proper iso techniques by the book...however....if in your experience you know this will not "cut it" then I will definiitely put the old thinking cap on. One additional thought... 90% of my tracking is overdubs....so my goal is to squeeze in that 10% of "loud rock band" basic tracks/rehearsal a couple nights a week and not get arrested lol.

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Songwriter/producer from the Detroit area. Currently in the planning/researching phase of a new studio build. Most of my projects can be linked to through www.facebook.com/scottchristymusic