Garden guitar studio

russpm

I decided to get one of these as wanted to be able to play louder than bedroom levels and also to have a man cave which is much needed in lockdown.

it’s not finished yet but should be done for Christmas. I see these are very popular now with many firms doing these as a modular build, manufactured off site and installed in a few days.

I’ve gone for a slightly higher specification build rather than modular and it’s obviously a longer build time on site.

We have a modest size garden so it’s a relatively small studio size 3m x 2.5m and will have French doors, 2 windows, heating, power and lighting.

going to get all my gear permanently set up in there and get a beer fridge and TV in also.

just wondered if anyone else’s had got one of these and maybe had any lessons learned / tips / ‘wish I’d have done this’ type of thing.

For anyone thinking of one I’d be happy to share times, photos etc.

Thanks 

ToneControl

is the volume level currently constrained by your neighbours or those in your house?

I ask because brick built structures are usually better at containing noise. 

Danny1969

I built a vocal booth in my garden when lockdown started the first time so I could use the lockdown time to record with my band. The I ran some a headphone feed and a balanced line return from it to my little studio in the house. Looks like a portaloo in the garden




I think next year I will build something a lot larger 

Hattigol

Danny1969 said:

I built a vocal booth in my garden when lockdown started the first time so I could use the lockdown time to record with my band. The I ran some a headphone feed and a balanced line return from it to my little studio in the house. Looks like a portaloo in the garden




I think next year I will build something a lot larger 

I'm not fooled. That's a TARDIS and it's massive inside. Am I right?

Danny1969

Hattigol said:

Danny1969 said:

I built a vocal booth in my garden when lockdown started the first time so I could use the lockdown time to record with my band. The I ran some a headphone feed and a balanced line return from it to my little studio in the house. Looks like a portaloo in the garden




I think next year I will build something a lot larger 

I'm not fooled. That's a TARDIS and it's massive inside. Am I right?

Rumbled! this is indeed a shot taken inside, as you can see it's the same colour



I did build that room as well but not in my garden 

russpm

ToneControl said:

is the volume level currently constrained by your neighbours or those in your house?

I ask because brick built structures are usually better at containing noise. 

Yes, neighbours and the missus!
We live in an old cottage constructed in 1880 and the walls are a soldier brick course (no cavity) so the sound transfers to the neighbour’s house easily.

The studio has been designed with the required acoustic measures to be a space I can give it some beans with the volume!

John_A

We were due to move house and had a garden building all planned.  Unfortunately it feel through so that won't be going ahead

Lestratcaster

Had my garage converted last year/end of 2018 into a music room studio thing. Used the wrong contractor though who was a right nightmare. Everything was rushed and not done properly. Ended up having to spend a few quid correcting mistakes like the roof, drainage, electrics and flooring.

If I could do it again I'd have obviously gone with a different contractor but the roof wasn't made of a very good material, insulation could be better (walls and floor) and I'd have installed ethernet at the same time when the mains electrics were being done.

Its not turned out badly though as its been about 18 months I've been in there. Its quite cold in the winter hence I need 3 x electric radiators. Sound isn't an issue cos I'm like 30m away from any houses. So I can turn my monitors up and crank the volume.

Jalapeno

Pics Russ or it never happened !

russpm

Jalapeno said:

Pics Russ or it never happened !

Will do once finished ✅ 

mrkb

We had a (internal dims) 3.5m x 4m one built 2.5 years ago - the best thing Ive ever done, absolutely love it. We used professionals (The Garden Office) The UKs Leading Provider Of Garden Offices | The Garden Office and had extra plasterboard soundproofing added as explained in this video:-

Green Retreats & The Garden Office: Acoustic Pack Review by Alex Hutchings - YouTube

Took a corner of our garden from an area of overgrown weeds -




To a cool area to hang out


And make some noise


Its half fitted out with my music gear and the other side has a sofa/art table for my wife to use. I love the fact everything plugged in and ready to go, flick a switch and make some noise.

Chris_J

russpm said:

I decided to get one of these as wanted to be able to play louder than bedroom levels and also to have a man cave which is much needed in lockdown.

it’s not finished yet but should be done for Christmas. I see these are very popular now with many firms doing these as a modular build, manufactured off site and installed in a few days.

I’ve gone for a slightly higher specification build rather than modular and it’s obviously a longer build time on site.

We have a modest size garden so it’s a relatively small studio size 3m x 2.5m and will have French doors, 2 windows, heating, power and lighting.

going to get all my gear permanently set up in there and get a beer fridge and TV in also.

just wondered if anyone else’s had got one of these and maybe had any lessons learned / tips / ‘wish I’d have done this’ type of thing.

For anyone thinking of one I’d be happy to share times, photos etc.

Thanks 

Lets see it then?!

russpm

mrkb said:

We had a (internal dims) 3.5m x 4m one built 2.5 years ago - the best thing Ive ever done, absolutely love it. We used professionals (The Garden Office) The UKs Leading Provider Of Garden Offices | The Garden Office and had extra plasterboard soundproofing added as explained in this video:-

Green Retreats & The Garden Office: Acoustic Pack Review by Alex Hutchings - YouTube

Took a corner of our garden from an area of overgrown weeds -




To a cool area to hang out


And make some noise


Its half fitted out with my music gear and the other side has a sofa/art table for my wife to use. I love the fact everything plugged in and ready to go, flick a switch and make some noise.

That looks awesome man, great space to escape to and just play.
not having to pack everything away is what I’m looking forward too as much as playing with more volume.

Hattigol

I'm sure I'll be told that they are just as secure as houses but a chunk of me wouldn't sleep comfortably if there were expensive guitars in there. 

Even if they are as secure as a house, surely they're a bigger target for theft as thieves will know they are empty at night?

russpm

Hattigol said:

I'm sure I'll be told that they are just as secure as houses but a chunk of me wouldn't sleep comfortably if there were expensive guitars in there. 

Even if they are as secure as a house, surely they're a bigger target for theft as thieves will know they are empty at night?

I’m installing a link to the intruder alarm on the house plus a camera. The locks are the anti snap type and it will all be insured to the hilt.

Snap

They get hot when the weather picks up - think about some sort of AC unit if poss. Not much use opening doors and windows if you are trying to keep the sound in. I've got AC in this one, and even a short burst will cool it down for a good while. Godsend in hot weather.

ToneControl

Snap said:

They get hot when the weather picks up - think about some sort of AC unit if poss. Not much use opening doors and windows if you are trying to keep the sound in. I've got AC in this one, and even a short burst will cool it down for a good while. Godsend in hot weather.

I don't think you could store guitars in there easily if it gets to -5C in the winter and 35C + in summer when not in use?

russpm

Snap said:

They get hot when the weather picks up - think about some sort of AC unit if poss. Not much use opening doors and windows if you are trying to keep the sound in. I've got AC in this one, and even a short burst will cool it down for a good while. Godsend in hot weather.

I’ve gone for solar control glazing which will help keep it cooler in summer. I’ve also got fresh air ventilation and I’ll see how it performs.
if need be I’ll put an AC unit in.

AlbertC

@mrkb Am I right thinking the final bill for something like that must be upwards of £20K?

russpm

AlbertC said:

@mrkb Am I right thinking the final bill for something like that must be upwards of £20K?

It's currently projected to be £14k. I'm in the North West so construction costs are lower than 'down south'.

mrkb

AlbertC said:

@mrkb Am I right thinking the final bill for something like that must be upwards of £20K?

Yes, about £23k all in. Felt like a big investment at the time, and I did consider cutting costs, but I’m now glad I got all the features I wanted rather than compromise and end up with a still expensive building that wasn’t warm, fairly soundproof or an inspiring  place that I want to spend my time.