Build inside a steel shed, starting it right

[Uncle Dub]

I'm planning to move my recording setup from my basement, to a space to be built inside a large (40'x80') quonset hut in my yard. It'll be a practice space / open plan recording area / possible performance space. t'll be a 'deck' like construction above a dirt floor, as it's too expensive to concrete the whole thing. I plan to use maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of it and leave the rest for storage.

My nearest neighbour is a half mile away, so I'm not too worried about soundproofing, but I've a few questions / worries.

If I build one wall, or both walls slightly angled inward (also to get more floorspace out of the semi-circular shell) does this count as non-parallel walls and help cut down reflections?

How high should I put the ceilings? The higher the ceiling the less of the width I can use. Should the ceiling be angled too? (It'll be like living in a funhouse if I'm not careful)

Will I need to insulate the outside of the structure to prevent vibrations from the shell?

I plan to install a ground spike, and run the ground pins in each outlet back to this, how anal do I have to be about this? If I have 4 double outlets grouped together, can I run one ground to this or do I need to run 4 grounds to the same spot?

This is going to be a definite 'work in progress' and I'm not a career recordist, but I want to get the bones right, so I can add to it as I go along, so any advice or gotchas to look out for would be appreciated.

[Dr Rubberfunk]

I can't remember which issue it was, but in the last couple of years I vaguely remember reading a TO article on a studio in an old grain silo. Or have I imagined that one? Anyone else recall the issue# or studio? Anyway, thought it might help with dealing with the (semi) circular metal space, construction techniques etc ...

Did a quick google for 'recording studio grain silo' and the two most interesting links were the http://www.silophone.net/ (which I couldn't make work) and a half million gallon echo chamber : http://youtu.be/m6PU8L9oSW4 !!!

[Uncle Dub]

There was the M.I.K.E. article or the Great Lake Swimmers?

M.I.K.E. was a circular bin, split down the middle, and they just walled the thing with panels, it's main thing was portability I think. GLS just recorded in an old grain bin.

In my case, I think the steel is more incidental, I won't be mounting panels on the wall, I'm building a wooden structure, within the steel, or at least thats the idea. It's a little bigger than a grain bin, that's a full sized exterior door on the front right. I won't be having circular walls or a ceiling, I was talking about angling the walls in a few degrees, and asked if that would count as a non-parallel wall and aid cutting down reflections.

I'm just framing out a space, and I want to make sure I don't do anything silly, and wish I could start over.

[norton]

It sounds like you are framing inside the existing structure for primarily seasonal insulative reasons ?

If that's the case make sure you use a good styrofoam insulation under your "deck" flooring. As far as ceiling construction goes, could you use scissor trusses? They are not too expensive and would allow you to spam whatever distance you would like, without compromising too much ceiling height.

If you're building is going to be anywhere near 40x40 I wouldn't worry about parallel walls. Not even close to being a major concern. You wouldbebetter off not creating a square structure, as they reinforce nasty freQuency buildup..

I've always wanted one of those buildings. Have fun with it!

[Uncle Dub]

I'd like to have the lofty claim of seasonal insulative reasons, but it's mainly cost. I've been in this place a few years now, and not done anything with the shed, because it wasn't floored, and doesn't have power (though that I can fix), but to even get half of it concreted looked to be an expensive proposition, and I'd been toying with the idea of building a wooden floor, but didn't really have any idea how, until a carpenter friend of mine got involved.

Now I'm off to look up what scissor trusses are, thanks

[tonewoods]

I'd use the existing shell, and insulate it somehow....
Here's mine:

[Uncle Dub]

Ooh, that looks very cool, what did you use on the walls, some kind of spray on insulation? My main thing is finance, I can't afford the $6-10K for a concrete slab of such size, and it's a dirt floor.

I suppose I could do a deck floor wall to wall and then spray the walls, but a twenty foot ceiling (I'm guessing as it's 40' across) would be horrendous to deal with, and I have these weird vents that let birds in to crap on the stuff that's stored there.

What is that stuff you used on the walls, and how expensive is it I'd need about 5000 square feet covered?

[tonewoods]

Yeah, it's spray insulation, and would be prohibitively expensive for your digs...

I was just thinking that you might want to take advantage of your roof and interior shape of the building for sonic reasons...

[Uncle Dub]

Damn, that really looks good and I would love to have the shed left in the round, but I'm seeing like $600 for 600 bd ft. for that insulation stuff, even if I cut back my plans to 1/4 of the space instead of a half thats $2500 gone.

Where did you get it from?

[joel hamilton]

That looks super cool!!
wow.

[tonewoods]

Damn, that really looks good and I would love to have the shed left in the round, but I'm seeing like $600 for 600 bd ft. for that insulation stuff, even if I cut back my plans to 1/4 of the space instead of a half thats $2500 gone.

Where did you get it from?

I had some guys come over and spray it, and it was expensive....
But I love the way that room sounds...

[Uncle Dub]

Hmm, there is an outfit in town that do it, wonder if it's worth asking for a quote.

[Uncle Dub]

Still waiting on a call back from the foamers, but I'm thinking, in terms of reflections, am I better building drywall walls, with inslation on the exterior, or leaving the raw steel walls, and if not foam, maybe fiberglass or polystyrene panels exposed on it?

[Brett Siler]

You place looks awesome! It looks like a cave inside of there.

[evilaudio]

Wow is right! Both of you have really inspired me with these spaces. This seems really ideal both sonically and budget-wise! I want a space of my own, but certainly don't have a budget for a traditional building, so something like this would work out really well in my position and area! Tonewoods, your space is really up my alley and looks amazing (I love the "cave" look)! do you mind if I PM you some specific questions about yours (I don't wanna hijack this thread)?
Uncle Dub: Good luck and definitely keep us posted on your progress! Was this hut already there, or did you recently build it?