Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Hello, I would like to have your thoughts on my home office/studio project please. I've all but finished now, just need to decide on flooring. Up until tonight I have been 100% convinced of carpet, however looking for advise and everyone I've read says to use wood flooring. My problem is the room is really echoey (if thats how you spell it) and needs damping down and maybe some limited acoustic foam in specific places. Would my small room warrant carpet in this instance for recording vocals and guitar as well as mixing? It's going to be a multi function room as office/studio/light workshop as hinted by last photo showing desk and workbench. I'm will be covering floor and shelf area with whatever. The ceiling was insulated with board+polystyrene, the floors were raised with chip wood and polystyrene sheets between battens, the walls have all been plastered and painted.

First photo shows my previous home office where I recorded all my tracks (if you've ever listened to them). So I'm trying to improve on what I had.










Last edited by PaulH; 07/07/16 07:52 AM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,732
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,732
Hang drapes from the walls and on the windows. You have a lot of bare flat sound reflective wall space. In place of carpet.... place some throw runs on the open areas of the floor. Cushioned chairs and other furniture will also affect the acoustics so as you add that, the sound will change.

You want to find that balance between the room being too "live" and too "dead".

The room I use has carpet, and acoustic 12" interlocking ceiling tiles. Also no drapes, just furniture. When we had the room painted, the furniture was put into the room adjoining. There was an obvious difference in the "sound" of the empty room. It sounded hollow.... or more "live" with lots of unimpeded reflective surfaces.

After you're in the room, if it's still too "live" it's a simple matter to make or buy sound absorbing baffles and bass traps.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/07/16 08:36 AM.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Paul you want as much damping in that space as possible. Hard floor is for bigger spaces. If you ever find a need for a more live room, put a sheet of paneling on the floor temporarily.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,986
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,986
Paul,

It looks as though you're going to have a really nice, multi-purpose space once it is completed.

I would be thinking of comfort first and how does it sound while recording second. That's because you're likely to be spending extended time periods in the space. If you're not comfortable, how can you enjoy it?

As has been noted in prior posts you can use rugs to dampen reflective surfaces or lay down something temporary to add more reflective surface so both the choice of hardwood or carpet is viable.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Headphones are really the only solution in such a narrow room.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Thanks people. I agree the room needs to be deadened as much as possible. I'm having a short pile carpet fitted on Friday with underlay. I have a kitchen that has wooden flooring and sounds brighter so if I need a brighter sounding vocals I can always record into my laptop from there. I reckon I may need some acoustic foam tiles but will see how it goes first when my stuff is moved in.

Last edited by PaulH; 07/13/16 02:42 AM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Paul,

Scott is right. Don't waste money on sound absorption. The length of one 50 Hz cycle is approximately 22 feet. You simply don't have enough space to hear low freqs adequately.


Regards,

Bob

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Paul, as pointed out in your prior thread, there is very high acoustic modal density in that space in lower frequencies which cannot be managed with carpet. It's just simple physics. For mixing, you will need to use headphones for any accuracy below perhaps 500 Hz or so.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
It will be very interesting to see what happens. I agree carpet may not be enough but it will reduce room echo. I've got some Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones that I've used to mix with all my tracks and so I will continue to use them but also compare them with my KRK 6VXT's.

Last edited by PaulH; 07/14/16 09:50 AM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,035
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,035


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
As long as you have fairly flat response headphones, they will be better for mixing than any speakers in this space. Very simple room mode physics presents very uneven bass response as well as comb filtering in mid and higher frequencies. Absorption on the wall behind the desk and listening position will help to cut down the comb filtering but there is really no helping the room modes in such a narrow space.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Very interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

https://youtu.be/PGzWNp3lxXY

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 421
Well here's my 95% finished room. Just settling in after a week and finding places for everything. Sound quality from my HiFi system is very good. Not tested VXTs yet. Room echo has completely gone.






Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,986
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,986
Paul,

Nice looking room! Looks like it will be a nice, dedicated spot to play with your music.

95% complete. Is the remaining 5% wall decorations? It will be interesting to hear how the decorations alter the sound of the room.

I hope you will post a link or two to some tunes that demonstrate how the new room sounds!


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,035
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,035
A "Man Cave" for sure. Looks neat.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,809
Posts796,453
Members39,961
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Raman, Fanomez, Rohde, Dobrnjac, MaxxFV
39,961 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 189
Noel96 132
DC Ron 105
rsdean 102
dcuny 97
DrDan 96
Today's Birthdays
Ed Haberle, Primo
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5