How to Set Up, Test and Improve Your Home Music Production Studio Room - Acoustics Tutorial

[@zerberk]

the clap test was insane. absolute madlad

[@JM-yu8sb]

So are your comments PHAT DADDY. madlad. I should use that :)

[@Jay2097]

This might be the best and most comprehensive acoustics video on youtube. Well done. Practical, concise and not too scientific.

[@warpacademy]

Cheers mate. Thanks for watching!

[@Dyallo1988]

I dunno. I think they left out acoustic treatment. It was just about speaker placement

[@MrCJHamill]

I agree absolutely. So many useful tips in this video and easy to understand.

[@midnightwind8067]

Some of this advice contradicts Ethan Winers acoustics work. Might be good to compare theories.

[@warpacademy]

@@midnightwind8067 please post specific statements or theories and we'd be happy to discuss. This tutorial is solely for music production / mixing / engineering control rooms. Not recording spaces, home theatres, or hi fi listening rooms. So for that reason, sometimes you'll hear advice from acousticians in those niches that may be different.

[@simoncallender]

I was not ready for how dry that last clap was.

[@kostaszervakis]

Ohhhh "SBIR", "Against the wall", "Acoustic axis of the speaker", "Equilateral placement", "A point just a little bit behind the head of the listener". It is extremely hard to explain complex scientific information in a simplified manner. You are incredibly talented man! Bravo!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers!

[@Shivamkhandelwal]

This is the best lesson I've ever seen on youtube So comprehensive and to the point, You're a genius.

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hwkley]

That clap at the end really showed the effects of room treatments. I need to get on this

[@warpacademy]

Yep. It really makes a big difference. Cheers!

[@maciejlegowicz5834]

I think I've watched the whole youtube in search of a solution to my cubical spare bedroom 3mx3mx2.3m with window and doors that I'd like to use for production and I finally found this one. Thanks - I can go and start doing something.

[@warpacademy]

Cheers!

[@DemonicDaron]

I cant believe how much different the clap sounds. I have watched the clap test for like 10 minutes in a row with my jaw dropped!

[@warpacademy]

Acoustics matter for sure.

[@3DThird]

I'm so impressed with the quality of information in this video! I'm treating my room and this will be very handy. Thank you!

[@anemoia980]

That clap demonstration was insane.

[@warpacademy]

Acoustics are so important for sure.

[@tombodfish3045]

Most comprehensive and concise video I have found on room acoustics. Thank you.

[@dsquareddan]

thanks Drew! I learned a lot in this video. Especially the reflection off desk, I haven't seen anyone address that issue in any other videos on youtube

[@warpacademy]

Cheers D! Glad you learned some new bit. I've wanted to do a video like this for a long time. Stoked to have this on KZbin now. Happy music making!

[@ericsentel5636]

He is right on a lot of points except the placement of the monitors on the rear wall The “in-phase“ frequencies get amplified, and the “out-of-phase“ frequencies cancel out. This principle is known as the boundary effect. To solve the problem, pro studios often build their monitors directly into the wall, thus eliminating all rear reflections. however, by placing the monitors directly in front of the wall will cause even more build up of energy this is what should be done create the maximum separation between the wall and the monitors that the room-size will allow. For most rooms, that’s between 1-2 feet. This won’t SOLVE the problem, but it will lessen it somewhat, by reducing the strength of the reflections. also buy monitors with front bass ports

[@Mingmingmeow90]

This info is so valuable. Thank you so much for giving it for free

[@victorchege330]

Very informative👍🏾👍🏾

[@warpacademy]

Glad you think so!

[@pbenson56fran]

I need to remember this. I've watched this twice already. Thank you

[@warpacademy]

We have a new one on acoustics, much more advanced, that we’re editing right now for launch in the next couple days. Stay tuned!

[@pbenson56fran]

@@warpacademy okay

[@warpacademy]

Here's the new acoustics video. It's live and published now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPQdKuhmK2Se7c

[@katiaquarius]

Fantastic video, incredibly helpful with great insights!! Thank you!

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BJ-fj6jw]

Thanks for your professional presentation. Useful info!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers!

[@chrislinnon4476]

Fantastic video! You explained rsmall room setup better than any other video I've viewed over a 3+ year voyage. Thank you very much.

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@roberthunt1540]

Normally I wouldn't take any advice about anything from a guy who wears his hat backwards and starts his video with "What's up guys", but this dude is pretty good!

[@warpacademy]

I actually wear the hat backwards for acoustics reasons. The brim interferes with the audiopath picked up by the overhead Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic and compromises pickup ;)

[@ghost4004]

brilliant video, i realised i have so much acoustic problems in my room that i will need to sort, going to use this video as a base list but it's going to be a very hard job. thanks for posting this

[@warpacademy]

Glad you got some value out of this one. Yes, acoustics are involved and time consuming. But the rewards are huge. As a producer, you really will benefit from being in a better room.

[@thebookwaswaybetter2827]

Incredible video. Perfect for my circumstances. I can’t thank you guys enough! Liked subscribed and shared!

[@tekkhero9767]

Good video hit many core concepts that help to understand 👍

[@warpacademy]

Hey Tekk. Thanks for watching. If you liked that one, then you'll LOVE this. It's the new studio design I'm building, with TONS more info on best practices and design hacks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4fVeGWBlKpqp6s

[@eranelron]

Amazing video, very informative. I was speechless at the clapping part, you have the optimal room for mixing!

[@TomBrislin]

Fantastic resource, thank you!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers Tom, thanks for watching.

[@tclin2938]

very comprehensive one, many thanks

[@MerlinsMelody]

Very useful video.

[@voicedrifter]

Great video Drew! I love the space you've put together downstairs of course, but lots of awesome tips for a more budget space as well.

[@warpacademy]

Thanks! We had a blast making this one for sure. Happy music making!

[@opamusic9457]

The best video explanation on KZbin! Amazing work

[@avikchamoli6830]

I knew nothing about the room acoustics, but now I know still very little, but I don't feel as intimidated. Thanks for this one.

[@warpacademy]

Happy to help!

[@MrCJHamill]

Absolutely fantastic and easy to understand guide! Thanks so much! This should help many people! I've learned so many tips of you from this video! Thank you very much.

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidbrown2806]

Good info at least I know were to set up the deal now, and yes it's in front of the window. Question is ..... how do I treat the window? Wall to wall very thick curtains ????????

[@efraimk1673]

Appreciating this video in 2022 aswell!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers!

[@SotoBaggins]

Great video! I have a degree in audio and there are some considerations in this video that I hadn’t thought of before.

[@warpacademy]

Cheers mate.

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Excellent instructions and details!

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@udmmusic6052]

I did exactly like this. I have a windows on a fully square room and i put my desk infront the window and now have 3 dry walls where i can put my acoustic treatment. I even measuered perfectly how far the speakers are from the corner and my desk and now i am sitting perfectly in shape with the sound. cant wait till i get my acoustic treatment shipped

[@musikkloud5941]

UDM Music Ok we get it you are the teachers pet! Now stop interrupting the rest of us trying to learn something 😏

[@udmmusic6052]

@@musikkloud5941 Ahahahahahhahhhahahah

[@TheINFJChannel]

What is this nifty lil gadget at 5:20? Total Star Wars/Jetsons vibes. Cool 😎

[@warpacademy]

Not sure exactly which gadget you're referring to, but in the shot are the Apogee Duet II audio interface and the Sonarworks room measurement mic. Cheers!

[@mvvishnu3160]

Which is better proper acoustic(full treated acoustic)or only set up panel?? Which is proper detaling of sound we can get??

[@andynonimuss6298]

As recommended by well-knowns like Wes Lachot and Rod Gervais, and other notable acousticians, the Stereo Vertex Point (the focused point where the speakers are aimed behind your head) should be 14" to 16" from your Listening Position (ear line). The reason you don't want to just to brush the ears is because of head lean. You need to add 4" to the left, 4" to the right, 4" forward, and 4" back from the Listening Position point to account for typical head lean. No one keeps their head perfectly straight and centered at the Listening Position at all times. At 10" behind the Listening Position and 4" of head lean, your L or R ear would be 2-1/2" outside of the equilateral line. At 12" behind the Listening Position and 4" of head lean, your L or R ear would be 1-1/2" outside of the equilateral line. When you map it out in a CAD program (with the human head being close to 8" in diameter) you will find that 14" behind your Listening position works out perfectly for keeping your head inside the stereo field despite any head lean. i.imgur.com/hRtuFXX.jpg

[@warpacademy]

Hey Andy. We use about 12" as a standard, so a similar measurement. I am curious though about these measurements. If you toe your monitors out further, as Wes and Rod may recommend, that accounts for head lean backwards but not forwards. As the monitors are toed out further out, then you lean forwards, you're actually much further away from the sweet spot. How do they explain this? Of course you're going to lean forwards and backwards are you mix. For that reason it's important to know where the sweet spot is, and to buy monitors that disperse directional frequencies (high end) sufficiently wide to account for this.

[@andynonimuss6298]

@@warpacademy Well 14" wouldn't mean toeing anything out further. You are still maintaining the 30-degree equilateral triangle. At 14" you are just moving the Listening Position (sweet spot) directly up 2" into the triangle from your 12". Basically just more into the triangle. I think it's easier when you see a CAD drawing. Here's an image from Sterling Hill that explains it better: i.imgur.com/hRtuFXX.jpg

[@warpacademy]

Hey Andy. I see what you mean. Easier with images for sure. Thanks for the link and comments.

[@andynonimuss6298]

@@warpacademy Yes sir. :)

[@qjin744]

thank you! This is really helpful!

[@warpacademy]

You're most welcome.

[@timsarlos6403]

Absolut awesome video 🎉 Great summary of that topic

[@havertyk]

Great tutorial! I am turning my basement into a studio and this is super helpful.

[@muzicianist]

Informative, Thanx!

[@riktascale4]

Great presentation!

[@devine_noise]

Great job. I can send this to my friends whenever they ask me questions about my studio setup. You covered everything brilliantly.

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OUTTATIMEMTL]

WOW well done video and very comprehensive!! Thank you

[@jayp.2313]

Great job teaching me.

[@mirasiogomez4138]

Exactly the vid I was looking for. Great.

[@warpacademy]

Glad I could help!

[@ItsAverageJohn]

this is brilliant! Thank you!

[@selahkeys]

thank you for sharing!!!

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

This is hands down the best, most informative video on acoustic properties of a room on the internet! I kind of feel like I owe you a consultant fee! I do have one quick question, if you have a minute... I am a woodworking enthusiast, and am planning to build a desk that I will use for both my recording, and for work (software engineer, working from home). None of the bedrooms in my house are ideal for conversion into a home office, so I was planning on just using my large living room as my home office/recording studio/living room. Watching your video has made me question a few things though. You had, in both your studio and guest room, the desk pushed up to a wall, with the user facing the wall. I had planned to have my desk pulled out 40 or so inches from the wall, and I would sit behind the desk with a sheet-rock (dry wall) wall directly behind me. Is that just a huge no-no? I am perfectly fine with it if I'd have to dead the wall behind me with thick cloth covered Owens Corning 703 panels to prevent sound from reflecting off the wall and at the back of my head. But, do you think deadening the wall behind me completely like that would solve one problem but create another? I'd love to know what you think. Thanks for the killer videos.

[@sj4267]

Also if this kind of set up isn't possible for you, you might want to consider getting a pair of really good reference headphones and a subpac. This will bypass bad room acoustics :)

[@Elboy522]

I'm a bit perplexed about how you encourage setting the monitors right up against the wall. All I've ever read and heard from other people is to have space between the back wall and your nearfield monitors. Would you care to elaborate?

[@rashaderwin1459]

Well-needed video! I've been trying to use REW to fix my room and it left me confused and with damaged equipment. This video made things much clearer. Thanks!

[@warpacademy]

Glad to hear that. Happy music making!

[@krytux]

hey man, great video keep up the excellent work!!

[@Itsmaestroprinceofficial]

Your video is very helpful thank u very much 😊

[@jossxx]

thanks

[@warpacademy]

You're welcome!

[@adamhennessy007]

Such an informative video! Thanks guys! Some great Gems in here like the size of your desk that I didn't know about.Thanks for makin the Video for us.

[@warpacademy]

Yeah buddy! Nice to see ya on the channel Adam. Glad you liked that one. Much love homie.

[@stevepopemusic1658]

Great video, plenty of useful information.

[@Perpetuousdreamer92]

what a video. thanks from tunisia

[@warpacademy]

Cheers! Glad you liked it.

[@nirniro1]

Thank you for that detailed video 🙏🏻

[@warpacademy]

My pleasure!

[@kennymorrell4240]

Great info. Thanks

[@mattb1568]

This was done so well. I love how clear and to the point you are. And the editing was superb!!! Now if only I could find 300 dollars for sonarworks laying around. Lol

[@warpacademy]

Thank you so much!

[@williamoliveira1409]

well done video. thx

[@warpacademy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GG-dz1nf]

Thanks a lot for making this video, really helpful.

[@warpacademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NessunDorma732]

Great video ! Very informative thank you

[@warpacademy]

Cheers mate. Thanks for tuning in.

[@Josh-n6y9s]

amazing ..!!

[@barneschris5148]

What about floor? Carpet or wood? Great video

[@warpacademy]

Hey hey. I have an updated video that includes full details on the floating flooring. Building a Mixing & Mastering Studio - Part 2, Design Walkthrough kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4fVeGWBlKpqp6s

[@naveenwickramathunga7237]

Usefull Tutorial. Thank you. Your Explaining is Amazing.

[@warpacademy]

Glad you liked this one. Cheers!

[@egav2]

This is the richest advices for room acoustics.

[@nsjx]

Thanks for the vid. I did not know about the desk issue. My biggest issue is my vaulted upstairs ceiling. The walls to either sidevof me are only a meter high, then the ceiling begins angling inward. For now I use calibrated Sonarworks HD650’s and a Subpac turned up only enough to feel the sub. All that and refrence track/analysis (which is the most helpful of all).

[@warpacademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Yeah the desk issue is a huge one. Especially considering most pro studios have huge mixing desks, cluttered with gear. If you saw an acoustic test of that setup you'd cringe. Your spot with the vaulted ceilings sounds difficult for sure. Have you ever done acoustic tests?

[@nsjx]

Warp Academy I’ve only run the Sonarworks calibration up there in that room. At the time I had Auralex everywhere. What is your feeling about a window right in front of my mix position? Do I need a diffusor? Is that a problem? I use the Se Munro Eggs w port on bottom-front of speaker and I wonder if they will exhibit the same concentric bass patterns as your test monitors? If I recall, these are shaped like eggs tto avoid a lot of reflection issues in the vicinity of the monitor itself.

[@nsjx]

I have not re-run calibratiob since version 4 was released. Should perhaps do that. I’ve just gotten too comfortable with doing most of the work like I described above. This day and advanced analysis tool age one get get FAR with good ref material, a decent analyzer/oscilliscope and Sonarworks it seems

[@warpacademy]

@@nsjx if you have a window in your studio it'll be a major acoustics issue no matter where it is. Covering it with absorption won't help much as that can create a resonant chamber behind the panel. Probably your best option is to stuff the entire window full with rock wool, then place an acoustic absorber over top of that. Won't be even close to perfect, but it'll help a lot. Cheers!

[@SparkyTheInvincible]

This would be pretty helpful if my room wasn’t a FUCKIN IRREGULAR POLYGON

[@warpacademy]

Time to get a new room.

[@alejandrodetejas]

whoa I thought it was for sure better to keep the speakers as far away from the wall as possible? Wouldn't being nearer to the room boundary increase the amount of colored sound at the listening position?

[@warpacademy]

Hey Alex. Good question. You're going to get reflected sound from all surfaces around you in any bedroom studio. The key here is to position your speakers for the most ideal frequency response in a non-ideal space. The prime way to set things up is to custom build a front wall and flush mount your speakers into it, thus avoiding the problem entirely. However, this is technical, and costly, which makes it prohibitive for many people. The next best thing is to reduce the degree of phase cancellation by getting the bounced signal as close to the direct signal as possible. I highly recommend you do your own acoustic testing to look at the results for yourself. If you use a free app like Room EQ Wizard (REW) and a calibrated acoustic measurement mic like the Mini-DSP UBIK-1, you'll clearly see for yourself the effect of different speaker positions. Don't take my word for it, check it out yourself :)

[@whocares7447]

Never in my life have I thought that I'd be getting tips from Edward Norton.

[@chrismaister721]

Hi there, Excellent video. Much appreciated!! One question tho. You mentioned that the ear should be on the same level as the acoustic centre of the monitor instead of the speaker's tweeter. However, there're lots of articles, videos and even official site of speakers brand that recommend an ear should be on the same level as the speaker's tweeter. So I am quite confused about which of these two ways should be applied to set up my monitors. It would be really helpful if you could answer my question. Thanks again!! Cheers

[@k.ripley458]

I have the same question, and i was buffed by the confidence he mentioned it since its the first time i heard that opinion. Usually as you said everyone from official manufacturers to forums to pros recommends tweeters at ears height. After one year has passed what do you recommend?

[@itschriselement]

Great video. What would you guys do if you have a window on the wall behind the desk, but drywall on the left wall and a closet on the right wall ?

[@areyounew1593]

How to decrease the sound coming out of the room?

[@spiritlevelstudios]

Insulation

[@lvkz777]

Great Video! Would you recommend putting the subwoofer near the wall, too? I used this Trick for my monitors and they Sound much better now. Just left 7-8cm for the Bass Reflex whole

[@warpacademy]

Yes, you definitely want your sub against the wall or flush mounted into the wall. If you look at the manual where they talk about sub setup, you should see instructions on that. You'll definitely want to do some proper acoustic testing though, to ensure your low end is in phase.

[@brianzimmerman6774]

would love to see more about your personal studio build, looking to do something similar mounting monitors on the wall

[@warpacademy]

Noted! Perhaps I'll post some photos of the build and walk through them in a video.

[@tjh890]

nice video

[@warpacademy]

Cheers mate. Thanks for watching. Subscribe and stay in touch.

[@beats_hit]

This was so much helpful. Thanks a lot.

[@warpacademy]

You're most welcome.

[@pbenson56fran]

I am going to watch this later. This is going to be good a bedroom studio. Yes!

[@keepitbape]

Perfect! thx!

[@MarshalArnold]

Nice video, but I would have liked to see more about what types and where acoustic treatment should be used in a room and how that is determined.

[@warpacademy]

For sure. That's a completely separate video we're making, as acoustic treatment is a very deep topic.

[@salsa0215]

Excelent video!!!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers!

[@firstlast4592]

You sound amazing!

[@warpacademy]

Thank you so much!!

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

"Avoid desks with keyboard trays" "Don't clutter your desk with studio equipment" *Uses a desk with the keyboard tray *Clutters his desk with studio equipment But very informative video nonetheless. Keep it up!

[@warpacademy]

Good eye for sure. Let me elaborate. My studio is used for sound design and creative work as well as mixing and mastering. When I'm in a creative mode, I get out all of my gear and have it at my fingertips. When I'm mixing, I put it all away and place acoustic panels in the speakers' acoustic path just like I stated in my video. That's pretty normal. I'm in the process of designing an engineering desk with my acoustician but it's not complete yet. That'll be in a future video when it's done. But for now, I'm using acoustic absorption to eliminate comb filtering off my desk. It works quite well actually.

[@dancersendrecords1469]

This is such a great video well well done! Any particular tips for a small attic room with vaulted ceiling?

[@LeviWhxte]

YOU ARE THE BEST TY TY TY

[@officially_s]

Is buying a measurement mic really necessary for sonarworks? How about just using an ordinary condenser mic (AKG p120 or AT2020)? How much will be the difference

[@Rene.Rhodes]

But you didn’t explained what acoustic treatment we have to use and the placing and the relationship beetwen them

[@warpacademy]

Correct. Acoustic treatment is a very deep topic and one that you can’t even scratch the surface of in a single video yet alone one that covers other key topics. See my other videos for a deep dive into acoustics. I have a whole playlist on studio building. Cheers!

[@spacemanpope1805]

Thank you for passing on your knowledge

[@warpacademy]

Cheers Justin. Thanks for tuning in. Subscribe and stay in touch!

[@dmitriikrasikov3678]

Thank you so much for this video

[@warpacademy]

Most welcome 😊

[@CutTheBullshitFitness]

Great work!!!

[@warpacademy]

Cheers mate. Thanks for watching.

[@Xe0nLight]

Hey looking at the video for the third time in past month I guess, something what you said is bothering me. You say we should push in the monitors right up against wall, but most manufacturers advise you move them 50 to 75cm away from the wall. For example I got my Neumann KH120A monitors yesterday and I'm trying to do a setup of the room which is 2m wide and 4.5m deep with 2.6m ceilings with big glass window I'd be looking at so monitors would partially be against the glass. Given that I have the room depth is it better that I focus on sitting position somewhere around 38% of the room depth and pull monitors closer to myself or to place sitting position based on monitors being pushed against the wall I'm looking at?

[@warpacademy]

Hey Milos. Yes, we're aware that many manufacturers recommend spacing the monitors away from a wall. However, acoustic testing doesn't lie and I have no idea why they recommend doing that when you have SBIR to contend with. When you have monitors off the wall in an untreated room, acoustic tests usually will reveal large phase cancellation in the low end. This is very different when you have proper trapping that extends floor to ceiling and addresses all your room seams. You can't just follow speaker manufacturer's blanket/general advice and expect to get good results. My recommendation is always to do the acoustic testing yourself, first hand. If you don't take scientific measurements in your space, you're just shooting in the dark. The tests will provide invaluable information. Also, you should definitely plan on spending at least as much on acoustic treatment as you did on your monitors, likely more. Testing along the way and following room treatment best-practices. Best of luck with your studio!

[@deathmarket4118]

Man you a beast

[@warpacademy]

Thanks for watching.

[@deluxsaucepodcast4554]

Thaaaaaank you!!! I posted my first song to yhe world and its not that great... In my room, amazing... So before i submit song 2 and an album... Let me change a few things. Super helpful video!!! Thank you.

[@warpacademy]

You got this!

[@ganaorganador]

Greaaat content man!! What about having some isoacoustics over the monitor stands (angled downwards)?

[@warpacademy]

Glad you liked this one. The Ultimate Support stands decouple just fine on their own. They're designed to decouple. However, in some applications that may help. Ultimate Support actually partnered with Iso-Acoustics and made a model of stand that has the Iso-acoustics decouplers built into the top of the stand. I'm not a fan of angling monitors at all. The reason is that if you move slightly forward or backward in the mix position, then you're outside of the sweet spot as the monitors will now be firing above or below you.

[@colinc508]

I'm just curious why you recommend moving the monitors as close to the walls as possible? I thought this is known to enhance lower frequency but not in an accurate way and only exaggerates the low end frequencies which will lead to poor mix decisions.

[@manuelninogarces9574]

yes, that is right! moving the monitors as close to the walls is totally wrong! It can increase the gain of low frecuencies 6 db! that is a lot! and it will increase the difference by room modes so the frequency response would be terribly worse!

[@manuelninogarces9574]

also the description of comb filtering is totally worng! I don't know, there is some misinformation in this video

[@sereroserera367]

@@manuelninogarces9574 how would you acoustically treat studio doors and windows?

[@skeogeirl7144]

Push monitors against the wall if on stands ? Can this not add up to 3db on the low end therefore creating phantom bass within a room ?