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[andshesbuyingastairway]

under the realization that ISO recording is the way many choose to go nowadays, i have to ask someone who has recorded say a live rock band (guitar or two, bass, drums) in one room; how much min. square footage is necessary so that 'pain in the ass' low end bleed, etc. is not a problem?  what about for some other slightly more intricate situations?  

[Ethan Winer]

andshesbuyingastairway wrote on Tue, 22 May 2007 01:35

how much min. square footage is necessary so that 'pain in the ass' low end bleed, etc. is not a problem?

A lot of engineers prefer to keep a band close together rather than separate them to reduce bleed. As you put things farther away the leakage is lower in level, but it's also delayed which can be an even bigger problem.

A good strategy for recording a band all in one room is to have the players set up as they would on stage. Then keep the amplifiers reasonably soft - especially the bass amp - and use absorbing gobos between the drums and singer etc, and maybe a few other gobos here and there. This way the gobos help to reduce bleed, and whatever bleed you still get is not so distant and hollow sounding.

--Ethan

[franman]

I'm with Ethan on this one... but to answer your question you're probably looking at at least 500 SF... More is better as it offers more options both acoustically and ergonomically, but we've built plenty of very functional live rooms for rock and small ensemble recording in the 500-600 SF range... I like to have more like 900-1000 when possible, along with a variety of (acoustically) different Isolation environments... but...

[andshesbuyingastairway]

what about the true professionals that do it (especially the notable rock guys, the ones that have done it since studio development has been more solidified as a practice, no one in the sixties or early seventies at least) how many square feet do they use?  

am i reading right that sound city is 2000 sq. ft?

[Travis Engler]

andshesbuyingastairway wrote on Thu, 24 May 2007 00:52

no one in the sixties or early seventies at least) how many square feet do they use?

lol, recording bands together is almost a lost art.  The old guys set the standard.

To answer your question, as much square footage as you can afford.  You need at least 80-100sq/ft per person just to feel comfortable, 200 is more ideal.  Like the other guys said for a typical 4 or 5 piece you need around 500sq/ft minimum.  With a room that small you better have pretty tall ceilings, at least 12ft, and well designed wall angles and internal bass trapping.