John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum

Moving house soon and as I can't take the 'studio' with me, am going to convert one half of a double garage at the new place. Planning on soffit mounting the speakers as Mr Sayers detail (which I can't find at present) but a bit worried on heat build-up. I can see the air path in at the bottom, out at the top, but is there a way to tell if the amps are getting enough ventilation to keep them cool? I felt the back of the speakers (Mackie HR624's) which are currently on floor stands and was surprised at how warm they were. Thanks.

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Get a couple of those In/Out thermometers - the kind you can get for cars as accessories are fine. Mount the external temperature probe in the soffit where the Amp is and have the display show the Ext temperature - this way you can constantly monitor the temperatures, in fact some of the fancier thermometers may have an alarm - not sure. I use one of these for monitoring the temperature in my Isobox. Unfortunately the thermometers don't have 2 probes which is why you'll need two devices.

Also, make sure you don't pack insulation too close to the Amps - give them plenty of air space and keep the ventilation routes as short and simple as possible.

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Brian
As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way...

That's a very good idea thanks.
I was also curious about the science as well, how you know you're getting air movement through the void?

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As long as you have a clear air path from floor to ceiling, as shown in John's design, then convection will take care of keeping the air moving. And if you have a temperature sensor in there, which shows that the temperature is staying within the range recommended by the manufacturer, then you are getting enough airflow, and enough cooling. Of course, if the thermometer shows temperatures rising, then you need to either enlarge the air passage or force cool air through it somehow.

- Stuart -

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I want this studio to amaze people. "That'll do" doesn't amaze people.

Ah, good old convection. I wondered that. Thanks Stuart.

Now for more research, more design, more sketches.

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Welcome to the wonderful world of studio design!

- Stuart -

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I want this studio to amaze people. "That'll do" doesn't amaze people.

Yup. The devil is in the detail, or something like that! I think I read that studio build is about 90% design, 10% construction??

Me and a friend built a single room 'control room' in my garden from scratch a couple of years ago. I got really good results mix wise, but the isolation left a little to be desired Still, as I say with my mixes 'my next one shall be better than my last'

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