I want to build a small studio / rehearsal room at the end of my garden. It would be primarily for rehearsing small groups, and working on mixing and production. I'm not really aiming to make it suitable for professional-level tracking. So I don't want to put a massive effort into the internal acoustics, but I do want decent soundproofing qualities.

It would be a completely free-standing structure starting from scratch. I'll need to apply for planning permission, but I don't anticipate this being a problem as loads of the other other houses in my road (including both my neighbours) have similar structures at the ends of their gardens. Given the opportunity to start completely from scratch (as opposed to extending an existing structure) it ought to be possible to do the soundproofing really well. But I'm not sure how I should go about it. Are there particular builders who specialise in it? If so, what kind of premium do they charge? Or should I just get an ordinary builder but arm myself with as much info as possible first in what needs to be done? I have a bit of money earmarked for it but don't want to spend more than necessary.

Thanks for any pointers.

theres a whole section dedicated to this subject:

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/postlist.php?Board=DESIGN

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www.trackerband.at

Hi Wurlitzer.
You already did get your first pointer.
Of course you had to post this thread
in Studio Design & Acoustics section.
It will be moved there anyway.


However, here is some stuff that I know.

The best soundproofing material is probably lead.

What is important to remember is that for soundproofing
(unlike for acoustic treatment) complete coverage is essential.
Even if only single lead "tile" is missing, soundproofing will be compromised.

Another idea I just had, after reading Steve Albini interview in Sept. SOS
is to use adobe bricks to build your studio.
Adobe bricks are almost certainly a very good soundproofing material
and I guess they sound excellent if Albini is using them for acoustic treatment.
Alternatively, if you are in the UK, maybe you can find an old man who remembers how
to build a cob cottage. I've never seen a cob cottage in my life, but I think they
could be used as very good studio, and look kinda cool and patriotic.


And most important thing is to never follow my advice without getting second opinion.

Digi Em.

P.S.
For rehearsals your local church can work fantastically well.
Just tell the vicar or minister or whoever you have in your country to fuck off.

That's a cob cottage.
For those who don't know what I'm talking about.


Isn't it fantastic studio?
And very British.

Digi Em.

now I'm worried now that my studio is not patriotic enough. what shall I do...

And by the way we dont tell people to feck off around here. Its just not the way it works. The vicar would just kick you in the balls, and who could blame him.
A.

Fair enough.
But I thought that fuck off is essential part of British culture.

Digi Em.

Quote Digital Emotion:

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[That's a cob cottage.
For those who don't know what I'm talking about.


Isn't it fantastic studio?
And very British.

Digi Em.

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Doesn’t everyone in the UK lives in a cob cottage… and most Englishmen wear pin striped suits, bowler hats and carry a rolled up black umbrella under their arm… the rest wear union flag waistcoats, pork pie hats and have their faithful bulldogs at their side… and Vera Lyn is always on the radio singing: There’ll Be Blue Birds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover…

Tim ;o)

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Studio: www.kymatasound.com

Nah, we all live in castles.

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need to get rid of this stupid sig...

House? Well when I say house, it was only a hole in't garden covered by a sheet o' tarpaulin, but it was a palace to us!

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Pauls Studio Build Diary at http://forum.studiotips.com/viewforum.php?f=1