John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

Morning guys – Hope you’re all well. Many thanks for all the kind words of encouragement! It’s truly amazing what these people are achieving in such a short time. I now realise that there was no way on earth I would have ended up with these results on my own!

Ro – Not quite sure what you were asking, but there is absolutely now bounce in the floors at all, and, as for the doors, they’re all rated at forty db, and there’s 3 of them between the control room and live room, and 2 of them between the control room and iso booth. Time will tell, but, I’m already soooooooo confident they’ll be just fine.

You all say you love the pictures, so here comes another 70 or so to bring you up to speed. A lot can happen when you’ve had 300 hrs of highly skilled craftsmanship over 10 days as you’ll see! (3 blokes – 10hrs a day each)

Enjoy my friends.

First off – the colour scheme with the fabric samples sat between the two shades of my favourite colour……………..Yup green. (This also ties in with the business card, and implies the theatre style chill-out area.)



Archie carries on with the front wall frame out and, soffit enclosures.



And, the surround pods.



Especially for Ro – Magnetic seals.





Next up, side wall frame out.



Time to reveal the mint colour that will match the lighter fabric. This is the live room



And the two decorators – Sarah and her dad Bryan!



Now you probably noticed that Sarah’s roller was a darker colour, so here it comes, the rear wall of the control room! As has been said many times, the camera has completely changed the feel of this shade, but, to be fair, it still looked a bit radical to me when it was first painted. It looks a lot better now.



Iso booth.



Live room opposite wall.



Soffit wall filled with 60 kg RW3.



Some fine examples of Archie’s attention to detail. Toilet door lining.





No fixings visible on the magnetic seals.





Rear control room wall lights. You’ve seen these before!



Time to get all the mains back boxes in.



Front wall mains will be hidden here, and covered with removable panels.



More door detail including handles and push plates.







Gene builds an additional silencer for the automatic extractor in the toilet.



Then it’s onto the studwork that will conceal all the plumbing.



I just love the accuracy of this guy’s carpentry – sorry!







Then my fabric arrived, and my worries about the darker green disappeared, perfect match all round.



With the front wall framing complete, ‘rockwooled’ up to the hilt and covered with mesh, it was time for Archie to make up and fit all the MDF frames that cover each flat surface of the ‘soft’ walls and ceilings – 42 of them!



Each monitor enclosure has an access pipe for cable.



This is the void area between front lobby and control room which will be fitted out with storage shelves. Bottom view.



Top view.



This gives a clear view of the ‘barrier’ wall on the left, and the control room wall on the right. The gap between is of course deliberate.



Again, the gap on the other side is intentional.



A better idea of how the front of the control room will look.



Rear lobby inspection hatch.



Then my ‘hard’ flooring turned up.



Along with all my glass!



As well as the legally compliant, weather proof mains isolators for the air-con.



Gene has made a great job of laying this lot.



And now Archie can crack on with all the fabric work.







He insisted I have a go – It’s bloody hard work and almost impossible to get all the weaves running perfectly straight!



Now, as if Archie’s carpentry skills weren’t enough to get you going, check out his fabric finishing! (Great colour match from Sarah!)



This is one of the air-con returns, it would be possible to see this through the vent.



So, they are all dealt with by adding more fabric to the insides.



Then it’s onto glass, and introducing Maris, the surprise that turned up a couple of weeks ago.

First cleaning, and then caulking up forever.







First of 10 vents to be fitted.



Time now to show you all some more detail about this fabric work. Firstly, as mentioned, each flat surface requires an MDF frame.





An ingenious fabric dispenser.



Cover panel – No, this aint easy either.



Go on to the next one! 1 down 41 to go.



Start nailing into place.



And then, with around 10mm of the panel pin still showing, remove the head with snips, and hammer home with a plannishing hammer.



Finally, and very carefully, pulling the cloth back over the pin with a large needle, making the fixing totally invisible.



These are the results.











Archie only had one shot at the ash panel. This area is wider than 8’ and had to be done in two pieces, so the way he’s even taken care to match the grain on either side of the join is pretty cool I reckon.



Cut out and ‘dress’ for back boxes.



Fit back boxes.



Then my gadget bliss dimmers turned up, touch sensitive and remote controllable! God I’m sad!



Control room floor – The rear of the room will be carpeted.



When you’ve got to connect up 37 down lights, you’d best get cracking Mate!





More fabric framing – This time on the 'soft' wall of the iso booth.



All glass is now fitted!



Live room ceiling gets the treatment, and the grey incidentally will also be used for the panels around the surround pods.





Well chaps, that’s pretty much where we are right now, my workstation is being built by Studiopeople as we speak, and my Latvian ‘taskforce extrordinaire’ pull off the job next week, (sometime!).

Stay tuned,

Warmest regards as always,

Lou.

Oh my god!

That looks magnificent! I love the front wall. It couldn't be any better! Everything looks just perfect!

lou theres a door hinge upside down mate who are these cow boys

looks the part mate.

joey

man, I'm still gasping for air... can't believe the detail you and your well-crafted/skilled/handy mates are putting into this project. unbelievable, what a job!

I hope it's worth all the time and money you spent onnit (as in: good soundproof and acoustics and of course a feel of "aaah, I'm home")

Lou, you the man of the year already

So, euh when ye'r finished... come over and gimme a hand, wil ye? cheers mate!

Looks like crap! Give it up Lou! It'll never make it off the ground, besides, "if man was meant to fly, God would have given him wings."

Total rubbish, and a total waste of time and money.

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James

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"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
Napoleon Bonaparte

The next time we fly to visit our friends in the UK there will be no more of these silly strips to view shakespeare's playhouse or a castle from 500 years ago. We'll be knocking on the door of Lou's studio.

what a sight. I love the pictures. You've honed in on detail most of us are dying to see. I absolutely love the detail around the doors. The finish carpentry is great. It appears that he's even matched grain on the 45's by flipping the boards.


The figures in the stock he chose are great as well. A great peice of wood to use against the white background -

Having that figured maple (it is maple right?) out by itself is wonderful.

I guy I helped do trim work for a spell would tell cheezy jokes all day while we worked "D'ja hear about the cow who jumped over the barbed wire fence?? It was udder distruction..."... He never told the same one twice though. One of his favorite lines was, "This is one of the few professions that you can be proud of wielding the thinnest of pencils" - speaking of how precise and exact his cuts and marks were...

I have a million quesitons running around right now based upon how good this is coming out, but can you clarify with picture or description on what sort of wood went here:

Is it a birch vaneer or ply? I really like how that turned out and I have a few spots where I'll be covering with wood. I had assumed I'd do some sort of tongue and groove, but I like that look you have there.

Guys - Thank you all so very much for the kind comments, and I will give you a proper update, and, answer you all 'Lou style' tomorrow morning.

It's been manic here all day and it's still only 3.30pm, however I just had to quickly share some monumentally good news.

Peter no 1 (air-con) has been here for the last 2 1/2 hrs 'gas-ing' up, and more importantly, firing up all my air-con!!!!!!

Both units work perfectly, the silence in the system is more 'paladium' rather than golden, and Jeff is totally 'bowled over'.

My air-con war has ended in a unbelievably efficient draw!

The speed at which these babies heat and cool is awesome.

What a weight off my mind - a few celebration beers tonight, me thinks.

I feel like a little kid in a toy shop.

More in the morning,

Kindest regards, as always,

Lou.

Lou -

Maybe the BEST I've seen on this site... Absolutely beautiful - in every detail!!

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- Brad

www.theSecretSystemBand.com

"...over the years, 'the-blues' has raised many children..."

WOOOOOW you´re almost done mate!!!! looks amazing!

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www.timesforgotten.net

www.myspace.com/timesforgottenband

Been a hell of a ride boss!!!

You have developed a damn nice looking environment and I hate myself for envying you so

What are we going to do when this ones over? I need my studio build fix!

Maybe you could take pictures and give a Lou style update when you cut grass or something? What about your neighbors? Do they cut grass?

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Brien Holcombe
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Sound: You can't stop it, you can only try to contain it.

Thats my laugh for the morning. I have actually been thinking about posting a picture of my grass but dont want to get in trouble.

Looking sweet Lou. I have been watching and waiting for the finish work because somehow I knew it would beyond belief And it is. I can tell from your excited posts its been very rewarding to have a crew that knows what they are doing, do it for you.
But I am truelly envious of your round windows. Might have to do some remodel this summer.
Peace
Tom

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http://www.lost-studios.com
facebook.com/loststudiospdx

Right Chaps – A bit later than scheduled, but, a proper reply nonetheless.

VK – So nice for you to stop by, and, what with you and Andreas watching this, the current Scandinavian contingent helps us all keep the European interest in line with our American and Australian cousins. Nice one dude!

RO – What a nice post my friend, thank you………………



Nice idea buddy, but, yourself, James, Brad, Tomvan, LordTim, Dynamike, etc etc, are all far more worthy candidates, as you guys have done it all yourselves. My only real saving grace on this forum, is that I’m still in charge of the project, and I’m making sure that everything is happening as it needs to happen. There is actually an inconceivable amount of organizing involved. You rather nicely mentioned:



Ro – The rooms all sound FU”£$*%G awesome already! Each area has its own unique characteristics. The live room is vibrant without being obtrusive. The iso booth is controlled without sounding dead, and my control room is ‘to die for’ I’m so sorry for appearing to be a total twat, (no porn gags please), but I can already hear that this place sounds ……………………………………Well you know! I already call it home!

DH – You and I will remain email buddies for a long time to come, (others too, I hope), that was quite possibly the funniest post I’ve read!! Thanks Dude.

Joey – Ah yes, Mr ‘Eagle eyed’ Joey! You total star! I was gagging for someone to spot the upside down hinge, and fair play my friend – you did! However, it aint upside down!!!

Here’s why. If you skip back a couple of posts, you’ll see that I documented those hinges as being a ‘Tapered Roller Bearing’ mechanism. What this means in real terms, is that one side of the hinge must always be mounted on the door, and the other, always on the lining. Take a quick look at this:



Ok, looks the right way up – Right? Well, it is, if the door is opening outwards and hung on the right hand side. However, if the door was opening outwards, but hung on the left hand side, then you’d have to mount the hinge the ‘other way’ up to maintain the structural load capacity for which it was designed! The widest part of the ‘taper is always at the top. (This eliminates the need for a left and right hand hinge). See, piece of piss really!

Cram – Dude, you are flyin’ and, it was real nice to hear from you. You asked:



YUP!

You then enquired:



No buddy, all the woodwork and doors etc, (manufactured and supplied by Studiopeople), is/are solid Ash veneer on MDF.



Ditto dude!

Brad – Bloody nice thing to say, and, as you already know, I thank you kind Sir.

Valgaer – Great keys my friend, and your place is already looking ‘kick-ass’ King Crimson – U.K. are influences you may well be interested in. Great website BTW, totally love the ‘red trees’ Peace and much thanks to you and yours.

xSpace -





Man, tell me about it. Thanks for the response Brien, your humour kills me, and is quite honestly among the funniest up here, mind you, it’s even funnier when others don’t get it! Incidentally, I don’t need you to cut my grass, (sorry man), neither would I insult you by asking you to do so. I would however, happily employ you to manage someone else to do it for me!! PS, I hope the interview went well my friend!

TomVan – Mate, I agree, Brien’s remark totally floored me! Perhaps we should start googling ‘John Sayers – Recording Studio – ARRID HUMOUR’ Man, we could make a fortune as script writers.

You mentioned:



That remark Tom was frankly, priceless! Peace!

Well, I hope I’ve just about covered everybody for the moment, so on to a quick update.

These guys are working so fast that it’s real hard for me to keep up, but I’ll give it a go!

Yesterday, as you know, was awesome from a studio point of view. The air-con is bloody fabulous, the toilet is also working beautifully, and believe it or not, we now have power connected. Three very big things in one day. No noise, no water leaks, no blown fuse boards. I’m deliberately making light of this milestone since I can barely contain my own excitement let alone anyone else’s. Think of the potential shit that could have hit the fan yesterday!

Here come the quick pics, (this time), to bring you all up to speed.

After 16 tonne grab lorry No 10, (yes chaps 160 tonnes of crap have been removed from the property since we started this whole project last July) 6 yard skip No 2 is now full. All that’s in here is off cuts, cardboard, fabric, packaging etc.



The rest of my cable has arrived. Som 16 pair, Som digital 2 pair, 200m box standard (but descent) mic/line cable, and the all important RJ45.



Live Room ceiling – All edges will be finished in the manner to which I have become accustomed.



The staples that Archie removed because he wasn’t happy!! (Had to show you this-sorry)



Extra fabric on the inside of Rosco’s silencers.



MDF framing for front lobby ceiling fabric ‘tacked’ in place.



Fan cooler No2 ‘gassed-up’ and sealed. Man this all feels bloody great at the moment.



Front lobby MDF fabric framing detail.



Front wall of control room paneling coming to an end!





AC System 2 sensor in a state of temporary ‘danglement’.



Restroom/Toilet/Shithouse floor now in.



I instruct ‘My Captain, My Captain’ (dead poet’s society) to tidy up the air-con supply cable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



He does.



Archie cracks on with panel number whatever – I’ve lost count now.





I forgot to mention in my last post the 22mm of neoprene/acoustic foam that is glued to the inside of all the window linings (and between the glass), around the perimeter framework. This is what it looks like. It’s installed to significantly minimise/stop, any resonance between the panes.



Lower panels, front wall of control room now done.



Sub-Woofer enclosure.



Ash detail to eventually be around all windows.





Yes my friends – Studio 4 has power!



Nerdy 3 way dimmer and air-con system 2 sensor.



More of Archie’s fabric work.



Live room air-con return ducts.



Ash work around windows prior to ash architrave.



Archie already on the fabric ceiling for the iso booth,



Well my friends, you’re now all bang up to date. Apart from of course, that since starting to do this quick update 2 hrs ago, Gene has called me into my new facility for the ceremonial turning on the lights gag. Dudes – Those dimmers are sex on a switch!

To finish, just a sneak preview of my ergonomically designed workstation which is due to arrive at the end of next week. Yes, I know I sound, to newcomers, like a pretentious money laundering git, but, I was told to sit in my seat whilst someone very carefully measured the height of my ears from the ground, arms stretched out comfortably, natural reach – front/back/left/right blah, blah blah!



I close with a favour: U.K. dudes – Please come and visit real soon. Just p.m. me and I’ll mail you directions. I just want to share this whole experience with some people who are not necessarily going to be employing me! Joey – JohnP – Oz – Any of our Scottish brethren, get your arses down here quick and have a beer with me! James, Brad, Cram, Ro, and of course Ken and Glenn, sorry Tom……………..Oh shit I could go on all day……………………You’re all welcome.

Stay tuned buddies,

Warmest regards as always,

Lou.

Great project and fantastic build diary. You also have a Canadian-Estonian following this so add Baltic Connection to your international list of fans.

Andre

Sup?
All i can say is DAMNNNNN Lou,,thats just killer,,I'm envious
Looks like i gotta save for a plane ticket

MOSH ON
DAVE

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Gentlemen,,,Start your Wallets.

Aloha Lou,

Again, congratulations on a beautiful job. I am glad to see it turning out so well, especially with all of the challenges along the way.

So, any idea of when you'll start installing and firing up the equipment to see how it sounds?

Continued best of success to you & Sarah!

Aloha

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Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you.