Multi-purpose Music/Home Theater/Recording Studio

[gullfo]

effectively - yes.

[goodwater]

Thanks Glenn. I really appreciate your help.

Initially, I considered putting brick or stone on the TV wall to add texture to the room and aid in acoustic treatment (perhaps some diffusion). My interior designer suggested wood slats instead to add warmth to the room. The wood slats wall would have approximately 10 feet wide and 9 feet high.

While researching how to do this, I found an interesting method for creating one that incorporates sound-absorbing material, and I thought it might be a good idea, despite the fact that I haven't done any acoustic testing yet, considering my studio monitors will be nearby. I also plan to mount the front speakers of my 5.1 system on this wall.

In summary, it involves making a frame to put rock wool in, covered with fabric and then the slats:

In this example, for a living room, the designer uses a 1½ inch thick Rockwool Comfortboard 80 insulation.

Q1: Is it a good idea to do that (absorption wall) in my case?
Q2: If so, should I use a 3-inch thick insulation instead of 1.5 inches?
Q3: Should I use slats of different widths?

Stef

P.S. For those interested in learning more, here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/GznlZmNBpHY?si=0T2qmQ0U_Y7yxk1P

[gullfo]

Q1-Q3 - is ok. for your studio - deep absorption is proper. as far as slats - you determine the aesthetics. if you like the regular slats and spacing - good. if you want to vary the slats and spacing - also good. since they're behind the speakers, the low frequency which will wrap behind them doesn't care the wavelength will be too big. for the most part it will appear solid enough. next concern would be spacing for absorption purposes to reduce SBIR due to your speaker placement, plus any reflections from your other surround speakers.

[goodwater]

Hi,

In a previous post, I mentioned that I would discuss CAT5 and audio/video cabling later. Actually, although this wiring is almost entirely already in place, I think I can still mention it here since it's part of my design. However, if I've made a mistake or omitted something important, I probably won't be able to correct it since everything is sealed. Nevertheless, feel free to point it out. It might help others, and I'll still be able to sleep soundly at night...I hope!

At the same time, I'm going to show you the simulation setup I made in 2024.

As for the "studio" audio cabling, it's not complicated. Apart from the snake cable I ran in the gym, all the wires/snakes will be in the studio, running along the walls as much as possible or through the storage areas to get from one side to the other.

Legend :

1- Main Studio Monitors (I will instead use the Behringer B2031A speakers that I recently purchased.)
2- Second Studio Monitors
3- Speakers connected to a vintage amplifier for listening to vinyl records and CDs
4- Home theatre front speakers (connected to the 5.1-channel home theatre receiver) (I don't really intend to place them that way...)
5- Home theatre center speaker (connected to the 5.1-channel home theatre receiver)
M- Mackie CR-1604 console to connect the synths and modules on my right
A- Alesis Studio 12R console to connect the synths and modules on my left
TV- Big screen simulation

The computer is at the back of the desk, so I don't hear its fan much. But if it turns out to be too noisy, I can enclose it in a ventilated, soundproof box. There will be one or two Furman Power Conditioner units in each rack. The equipment will be plugged into one of the four power outlets on the wall at the back of the desk. I intend to raise the back of the desk slightly to create an angle.

Here are the diagrams I made at that time for my audio and MIDI connections:

My priority is to first position the main studio monitors optimally, creating a 7-foot equilateral triangle. Then I will place the other speakers.

For the placement of the front and center speakers of the 5.1-channel system, I see two options: (1) I mount them on the wall on either side and below the TV (see picture below); (2) I place them on three stands. The front speakers are Energy e:XL-15B-1 and the center speaker is a Sony SS-CN305, so not professional-grade at all, but acceptable for my needs.

My preferred option is to mount them on the wall. This reduces the number of wires running along the floor and the number of speaker stands needed near the desk. I can place it slightly higher than the other speakers (because when I use them I won't be sitting at my desk, I'll be further away) and as far apart as possible to improve the stereo image. Also, the home theater receiver (Marantz SR5009) has a speaker calibration function. Otherwise I would have to put them on separate stands near the desk and at a height that exceeds that of the studio monitors and the computer monitors (as in the photo above).

QUESTION 1 :
Would there be significant advantages to placing them on stands rather than on the wall?


I've separated my home audio equipment from my studio gear. So his reduces the amount of equipment on or near the desk and I don't need to turn on the studio equipment and computer if I just want to listen to music or watch a DVD or a drum lesson. They're located next to the storage unit on the right. So when I want to listen to a record, CD, or DVD, I have to go there first, start the media and then move to where I need to be to listen or watch.

I have always listened to music with a home sound system, never with studio monitors (and never in an acoustically treated room ).

QUESTION 2 :
Assuming I'm using quality home sound system speakers and receiver, will I experience a noticeable improvement in sound quality if I use my studio monitors instead?


Here is another diagram showing CAT5, HDMI and home audio speaker cabling :

Red lines : HDMI cabling to TV
Green lines : 5.1-channel speakers cabling

Finally, here's my idea for a cloud above the studio monitors. Initially, I thought of building an 8x8 foot setup (with four recessed lights), but I find it very large (and very heavy too), and I'm not sure such a size is necessary. So I'm proposing a 4x6 foot setup instead.

Here's how I would position it:

QUESTION 3 :
Is this cloud size sufficient and correctly positioned?

As usual, all comments are welcome.

Stef