John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

Hello All,
I've realized that I need help on the very basic level. I do not have the knowledge or time from a construction sense and really need someone to do the plans. I realize that costs money. This is a business. I have been on here for a little while, read all the FAQ's, bottom line, I'm a musician/producer and programmer not a construction guy. Here is what I have in a nutshell..

I'm looking for a quote to do the plans. I need to keep construction under $20,000 USD if at all possible. If needed I will build in stages, but bottom line, I need plans and I need a quote for how much the plans will cost, or maybe someone just wants to help a guy out LOL.. Anyway.. here goes.

First off, thanks for the great forum. I wish this resource was available for my last studio. I've been chatting about it in the forums, and it was successful, but it could have been so much better. I figure if it came out that well (sound wise) on luck, imagine what I could do if it was done properly.

I read the requirements for the forum, I'm going with more information better than less hoping this sets you up with enough information to know if you can help me.

My main customers are single/dou singer/songwriter type clients with acoustic guitars. There will be some 3-piece Rock bands, and quite a bit of voice-over for Computer Based Training, radio spots, etc.. I have more gear than should be allowed. I am the founder of the OvationFanClub.com so for starters I have over 50 guitars. Two full keyboard trees along with a B-3 and Leslie. Lost count of guitar and bass amps, and a drum kit. Obviously most of this will be stored outside of the studio and brought in as needed..

I'm not sure if you need to know the gear, maybe for size options?

Main console will be a Tascam DM4800, hooked to a Windows based PC.
Two 24" flat screens. I use very little outboard gear.

I have Event 20/20 passive monitors that I like. I also have NS10M's

Mostly Neumann and Audix and Shure microphones.

Crown, Hafler, Dynaco and QSC amps.

Measurements in Feet.
(obviously I'll provide exact dimensions if we can move forward.)

- The shell of the building already exists @ approx. 31' L x 13' W x 12' H
- It has a cement slab floor, the walls are drywall already.
- Both floor and ceiling are unfinished
- I need not worry about neighbors and such.

- Entry. If you were looking down from an overhead view, building running lenghwise we'll call it east-west... there is an entrance on the south wall about 2 feet from the southwest corner. You can see what I mean in this thread where I posted some idea's that led me to realize I need HELP !!!!! While the picture does show a door on the other end, it isn't there yet. The end of the building was a 4-panel folding door that opened to allow a boat in. That end will be framed and sealed appropriately with whatever door and its placement we come up with by design. The bump-out for the bathroom is not built on the outside yet either, but it will be located in the "west" side on the south-west corner with access as appriate.

I am looking to have three or possibly 4 rooms, depending on what you can come up with.
- Control Room / Mixing room
- A Booth for vocals
- A small booth for amp isolation
- Tracking Room.

A couple of designs that intrigue me are of course the container design as that really shows what can be done in a small space done properly. Also Zen's studio on the website, with the angled control room in intriguing to me as it provides additional space for a vocal booth and amp room. Very nice indeed.

As far as my vision... the control room just needs to be big enough for me and a small couch on the back wall. Much like the container is set up.

Well I think I've taken enough of your time if you have read this far. If you think you can help me with a design, then I'd appreciate a range based on what you can provide.

Thanks in advance. My apologies if I was too wordy... I figured I would get as much info to you as possible at first pass.

_________________
Miles-Kevin Baron
Sunny Ledge Recording Studio
Mount Vernon, Washington

Here is a floorplan I came up with.

I also did a representation of the current building. Currently the building is a finished shell. Roof, walls all finished, just no floor or ceiling and only one door. The restroom will be added on as well.
The other end of the building currently consists of 4 full-length door panels that will be removed and the wall framed in so I can put a door anywhere on that end based on design.

Inside dimensions 31 x 13 x 12 (feet).

It is important to note the grade. The existing door, shown in the shell, is 2' up from the floor. The building is built slightly into the side of a two foot hill. I was actually thinking of using this to my advantage of having the studio, restrooom area at that grade, then as you can see in my floor plan, a set of steps down to the tracking room.

Currently there is a platform with stairs so you don't fall two feet when you walk in the door The building was a boat storage building.

_________________
Miles-Kevin Baron
Sunny Ledge Recording Studio
Mount Vernon, Washington