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| eds1275:
For anyone interested in some sweet sound as well as ideas on how to PROPERLY isolate the sound between rooms, may I recommend a book called Home Recording Studio: Build It Like the Pros by Rod Gervais. I probably generate way more noise than most of you [guitarist/drummer/play in several bands/live in a recording studio] and though I have special needs as far as sound isolation, I used many of the concepts in this book working in my living room and redoing all my hvac. It also has some great blueprints for sound absorption for the DIY'er including bass traps, slot resonators, fabric wrapped panel absorbers [Ond brought that up above which is what prompted me to mention this book]. In my case I didn't follow exactly as the book reads, as my studio does not need the isolation that this guy was talking about. I can play drums downstairs and not 12 feet above me my fiance can nap on the couch. The myths section covers a bunch of the common misconceptions, and there is a chapter on fire safety [for example if you were going to cover some acoustic panels with fabric and line your walls with them]. Information on orienting your circuit breakers to reduce noise in your electricity, using star grounding and isolation transformers etc etc etc I guess the point I'm getting at is it isn't all recording studio specific, it's a great resource for anyone building or remodeling a space that has special noise and acoustic needs, and especially for nice electronics. The book itself is about $50 and is worth every penny. Even if you aren't building your own area, knowing this information could really help you plan it with your contractor. |
| Ond:
That book is a great tip! (I'll be checking it out for one). @javeryh - there's nothing wrong with an open plan approach and you'll be combining the best of both worlds Arcade and Movies! Get beer on tap in the bar and a popcorn machine and you'll be living the dream ;D. It may be way down the track, but I thought about my room size and function first and then chose a house design and builder. What I mean is, it doesn't hurt to plan some aspects in detail up front before construction. In a more multipurpose area I'd go with a large 60" (or bigger?) Plasma or LCD screen rather than a projector arrangement only because projectors are at their best in a darkened room. I know that one common mistake some folks make is they go and cram the biggest projector screen they can onto a wall without regard for seating distance and then find it too big later (think front row at IMAX). There are easy to use formulas for optimum screen size vs seating distance around. |
| javeryh:
@eds1275 - I'll check out that book. Sound isolation is definitely a concern. I have young kids and a wife who is way over sensitive to sound. I'm planning on soundproofing the entire basement area but I'm not sure how yet (2 layers of drywall with green glue?). I also don't have an unlimited budget. @Ond - I think I'm going to go with a projector even though it will be an open design. I can't resist that big screen. I'm going to paint the walls a dark color in the theater area and the basement won't have any windows so light won't be too much of a concern (I hope). I'm also going to put a TV above the bar. The plan right now is to only go with one row of seats - viewing distance is a concern too. There is so much information to absorb - I'm overwhelmed! |
| HanoiBoi:
Hey Javeryh, Another thing I'd highly suggest is to come up with a list of everything that you really want in the basement. Measure that stuff and keep little templates (I did this in excel). Then copy and paste them into your designs a la colorforms and you'll really start to imagine how the place will feel. Also, think about creating separate design plans. One could be for lighting (lighting placement, switches, dimmers, which switch controls which lights?, etc.) another design for sound (speaker placement, receiver placement, in-wall controls, touch screen, etc.) and even another separate design for TVs/Screens (placement, outlets, coax cable, HDMI cable, receiver, receiver placement, etc.) That stuff will really help you flush out some wants vs. needs as well as help you measure quantities such as wires, lights, speakers, screens, etc. One last thought for now...our biggest decision for our basement was whether to add a bathroom or not. Initially we weren't going to, but we are very happy that we did. It's a little getaway and going 'upstairs' to use the restroom would be a big buzz kill. -HanoiBoi |
| Ed_McCarron:
--- Quote from: javeryh on September 21, 2010, 12:38:31 pm --- --- Quote from: saint on September 21, 2010, 11:51:48 am ---Are there any windows, or is it totally enclosed? Ambient light will effect suggestions on where to put things. --- End quote --- There are no windows (or rather, there don't have to be). This entire thing is my basement so the most I'd get would be some transoms. --- End quote --- Code will let you do that? Around here, once a basement becomes 'living space' and not 'storage' you need egress windows. |
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