III.

Standards for a recording studio

> RT60

Reverberation is measured by the time taken for a sound to die away to a specified level.
The most common way of measuring reverberation time is known as RT60, which is defined as the
time taken for a sound to fall to 60 dB below its original intensity. You can calculate the theoretical
RT60 for a studio using the following equation:
RT60 = (0.161 V) (S A)

where
RT60 = reverberation time in seconds
V = volume of studio in cubic meters
S = total surface area of studio in square meters
A = average sound absorption coefficient for all surfaces

The total sound absorption, which is S A, can be obtained using the following equation:
SA = (s1 a1) + (s2 a2) + (s3 a3) + (s4 a4)

where
s1, s2 = surface area for each element of the studio
a1, a2 = absorption coefficient of each element

The sound absorption coefficient for any material is measured in sabines, defined as:
1 sabine = 1 square meter of 100% absorbent material

All of the above equations are only accurate when the average sound absorption coefficient is less
than 25%, although they can still be used for estimates. For precise calculations, the absorption of air
may need to be considered, in which case youll need to use this more accurate equation for
reverberation time:
RT60 = (0.161 V) (-S log(1-A))

Choosing a value for RT60

Ideally, your value of RT60 should give a natural atmosphere and be suited to the kind of recordings
that you intend to make in the studio. The actual or optimum RT60 figures for different
environments or recording areas are as follows:
A studios RT60 should:

Be under 0.3 seconds for a studio whose volume is less than 100 m3. This figure is
particularly important for frequencies up to 2 kHz. Unfortunately, its hard to achieve
without using numerous absorbers, although not so difficult for a large studio.
Be constant between 60 Hz and 8 kHz, although small increases below 125 Hz cant be
avoided in smaller studios. In a large area, where the total volume exceeds 300 m3, there
shouldnt be any increase in the value below 250 Hz.
Give a result at 63 Hz thats less than 50% higher than the figure at 250 Hz.
Deviate by less than 10% between 250 Hz and 4 kHz: a high value in this range can result in
recordings that contain sibilant speech or shrill music.

We chose MUSIC STUDIO with 0.8 1.6 reverberation time.

Source: https://whitefiles.org/b1_s/1_free_guides/fg1mt/pgs/h13g.htm
IV. Design for recording studio

> Types and area of Material

> Calculations empty room, with equipment, w/ people

Guidelines to set up a recording studio:

The bigger the room, the better.

Choose the quietest one with the fewest neighbors.
Soundproofing can be an option.
Hard flooring such as concrete, tile, or hardwood is ideal.
Choose a downstairs room to avoid excessive foot noise from upstairs floors.
Have high ceilings, asymmetrical walls, and lots of irregular surfaces.