I’m currently in the process of building a new studio, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share how I approach setting up a room for recording, mixing, and content creation.
I really enjoyed my previous studio, so my goal here is to recreate something similar. But before I start installing acoustic treatment on the walls and ceilings, I first need to decide on a general layout for the studio. There are two key values I need to consider when setting this up—even though these two values are often at odds with one another.
A big thanks to Sessiondesk for supporting this project and audio education. I’ve been using the Sessiondesk TRAPEZ 60 for several months now, and it’s been a huge asset to my workflow.
Optimizing the Studio for Audio
Even though this studio will be used for both audio and video production, my top priority is optimizing the room for audio. This involves following a few key principles for audio studio setup, even if some of these principles conflict with video production needs.
The first principle is to ensure symmetry to the left and right of the listening position. Symmetry is essential for achieving an accurate stereo image when listening through studio monitors.
In a rectangular room, I can either set up along the short wall or the long wall. In both cases, centering the desk on the wall would ensure symmetry from left to right. However, there are two main reasons I’m setting up along the short front wall instead of one of the long walls.
The first reason is that there are two doors in the back corners of the room. Setting up along the front wall will keep those doors unobstructed, maintaining symmetry and allowing the doors to open freely without sacrificing space in front of the desk. While it would be ideal to have acoustic treatment in the back corners, I don’t see it as absolutely necessary in this particular space.
The second reason is that setting up along the front short wall puts the back wall farther away from the listening position, reducing the risk of reflections bouncing back too soon. I’ll still have to deal with sidewall reflections, but I want to avoid sitting in the direct center of the room, from front to back.
Monitor Placement and Studio Layout
The next important factor is the placement of studio monitors. Ideally, I want to create an equilateral triangle between my listening position and the monitors, where the distance between the monitors is equal to the distance between each monitor and my listening position.
In small rooms, however, compromises are often necessary. For instance, moving the monitors away from the front wall can help prevent SBIR (Speaker Boundary Interference Response), which is caused by low-frequency reflections from the front wall. But in this room, moving the monitors forward would push my listening position closer to the center of the room—something I want to avoid.
To save space, I’ll keep the monitors as close to the front wall as possible while leaving just enough room for acoustic treatment behind them. Since there isn’t much energy at this wavelength hitting the front wall due to the speaker’s directivity, I think this is a fair trade-off for the extra space. If you have a larger space, feel free to experiment with monitor placement.
I’m starting by placing my listening position at about 38% of the room’s length from front to back, a standard guideline for minimizing room modes at lower frequencies. The monitors will then be positioned to maintain the equilateral triangle.
The desk I’m using is the Sessiondesk TRAPEZ 60, which is part of their modular line of desks. Ideally, I’d like more space between the monitors and the desk to reduce the chance of reflections bouncing off the desk and back to the listening position. In the future, I hope to move into a larger space where I can upgrade to the TRAPEZ 80 or 100 center module, while keeping the same rack modules.
Acoustics vs. Ergonomics
While acoustics are important, ergonomics also play a critical role in studio design. A studio is more than just a space for critical listening—it’s also a space for recording instruments, mixing, and creating video content.
For example, the Sessiondesk TRAPEZ 60 provides both a workspace and rack storage for my audio gear, allowing me to make hands-on adjustments without needing an additional standalone rack or table. This keeps the floor space clear for other equipment. While some prefer smaller desks to minimize reflections, I’m willing to accept a bit of desk reflection in exchange for the workspace and functionality the desk provides.
Many would prefer to use a smaller desk surface to minimize the negative acoustic impact of reflections. If that’s your preference, you might opt for the Sessiondesk SOLO, which is a smaller version with just one rack unit. Or, you might prefer no desk at all for a more minimalist setup.
Another place where ergonomics take priority over acoustic perfection is with acoustic treatment. The thicker the panels, the more effective they are at controlling lower frequencies. However, installing thick panels along every wall and ceiling would reduce the available workspace and hinder the overall vibe of the room. I’m using 6- to 7-inch thick panels in key areas to reduce early reflections while keeping enough space to work comfortably.
Maximizing Space for Gear
One of the biggest challenges in a small room is maximizing space. Between mics, lights, and acoustic treatment, the floor can quickly become crowded.
To save floor space, I’m using the Impact Varipole System from B&H Photo, which allows me to mount lighting and microphones vertically without stands. This system doesn’t require any permanent wall or ceiling fixtures—it stays in place using friction, making it ideal for rented spaces where you can’t drill into the walls.
Focus on Creativity Over Perfection
Ultimately, the goal of studio design isn’t to achieve perfect acoustics—it’s to create a space where you can work efficiently and stay inspired. While acoustic treatment and equipment placement are important, don’t let the pursuit of perfection get in the way of your creativity.
The way your studio makes you feel and the efficiency of your workflow are just as important as technical considerations. So, build a space that inspires you to create, and remember that it’s about the work you produce, not just the perfection of the space.
Designing a studio is all about balancing acoustics, ergonomics, and workflow. By optimizing your setup for both functionality and creativity, you can create a space that works for recording, mixing, and content creation. Keep in mind that creativity and workflow are just as important as acoustic perfection.