Hola everyone!

I just moved into my new house about 7 months ago (small ranch single level with basement)and I've been having a hell of a time trying to get my studio rigged up. I've got a nice sized basement but the problem is that it's not finished (and also storing half my moving boxes). It's one of those ye old time basements with a low ceiling, catacomb bricks, and concrete that looks like it survived through the renaissance and the dungeon master decided to build a house over it.

Point is the ambiance echo or whatever you want to call it I'm getting when I trying to record in this dungeon is killing me. My home studio is where I do 70% of my music making. I put some aurelex wall panels up about 3 weeks ago that helped but isn't helping enough right now. I plan to get a full on studio built in the next few years but I just brought this place so naturally pockets are tight.

After browsing and checking out reviews I'm thinking about dropping some coin on an AE-F filter Soundkitz AE-F sound filter probably the AE-F PRO since it seems to be more about acoustics which is what I severely need right now. I can't just protool out this room echo this time.

Only other thing I'm also considering is probably trying to tile up my ceiling to see if that will reduce echo but looks to be a job that I can't afford right now. Someone else recommended using some instant foam spray to fill in ceiling gaps. I wish I could move my setup upstairs to the main floor but there's not enough space so it's between the basement or the garage.

Looking for tips from others stuck recording in the basement gutter.

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Hello? Is this thing on?

Move to the garage, buy 10 packs of Rockrool and cover them in cloth - but them in the corners and on the walls. Put heavy underlay and then carpet on the floor...that should be better than what you have now...

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Mac Pro, Logic Pro, lots of software and 17 hard drives!

I doubt the filter will make much difference at all and I wouldn't splash the cash i that direction.

Setting up a studio in a basement is always very difficult, not least because of the monumental problems you will inevitably have with bass room modes. A lot of broadband and proper bass trapping will help, but it's a seriously uphill struggle you have on your hands. Taking over another room might be the more sensible way to go...

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Yeah it's a tough one. Presumably the reason there isn't enough space on the ground floor is because you have a family occupying that space. Now, if you were to move your music gear out of the basement, you might find you could put the family down there instead. They might complain, but thw way to explain it, is that it's your job to put a roof over their heads. And down in the basement they effectively have two, which is really quite the upgrade. Then there'll be lots of upstairs space.

Other than that brilliant idea, how big is the garage?

J

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www.jackruston.com

If you can't move out of the basement then I suggest using headphones and referencing the mixes on another system elsewhere with monitors.

A good stopgap solution for now.

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Samplecraze
Stretch That Note

It's difficult to avoid the Irishman's answer "Well, I wouldn't be starting from there, Sir, if I were you!". Turd-polishing is rarely satisfactory. Sorry I can't be more positive.

Any chance of building a "room within a room"?

I remember reading yonks ago that wood pannelled rooms tend to have nice acoustics due to the somewhat random LF absorbtion of the "membrane" panels?

You could mimic this quite cheaply with 25mm batonning and 3mm hardboard, filling the void with rockwool or similar. Handy way to tuck shedloads of wire out of the way too!

NB. the "entrapped" panels need to be fairly random in size, i.e. not all 2x4's!

Best of luck!

Dave.

Quote Zukan:

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If you can't move out of the basement then I suggest using headphones and referencing the mixes on another system elsewhere with monitors.

A good stopgap solution for now.

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That's not going to help what he RECORDS in the room! Sounds like he might be one of those old-fashioned musicians who actually plays something and puts a microphone in front of it.

What are the dimensions of the cellar room you are using?

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TritonExtrMOSS/EX800, NordRack2, ATC1, D550/XV5080/MKS70/MKS7/MKS50/MKS80/S550/JP8080/Ju60/JD990, Blofeld, Mopho, TG77/An1X, ESQM, Emax, Esynth, AkaiS5k/MPC1k, Indigo2, Rogue, Machinedrum, ProOne

Quote Exalted Wombat:

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Quote Zukan:

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If you can't move out of the basement then I suggest using headphones and referencing the mixes on another system elsewhere with monitors.

A good stopgap solution for now.

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That's not going to help what he RECORDS in the room! Sounds like he might be one of those old-fashioned musicians who actually plays something and puts a microphone in front of it.

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I've got to learn to real the whole thread next time....

It's worthwhile reading some of the garage conversion threads flying about here. But I think some plans and dimensions would help to get a better idea of which would be preferable.

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Samplecraze
Stretch That Note

Thanks guys for all the helpful advice. I ended up buying one of the filters from soundkitz on sale. I'm going to give good try and see if it helps any for now. Christmas coming up I better get what I want for ME now otherwise Imma be sol.

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Hello? Is this thing on?