Booth Design Help

[tkpeterson12]

Having recently closed on the purchase of an existing building, we are now beginning the process of the various renovations. That said, does anyone have any ideas (including any floorplans, etc) that can be of assistance when designing the actual sound booth?

I have gotten them to agree to designate a space on the main floor that is approx. 12' wide by 6' deep for the booth, but the difficult part (for me) is how to design it and then get it built.

I know we will want to elevate the floor, but how high do you all recommend? We were thinking maybe as much as 18" but didn't know if somewhere closer to 12" was more appropriate.

Any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated.

FYI, I did do a search, but would like a little more specifics if possible.

[[Admin] osborn4]

Ours is either 18" or 24" I think 18", because there is only one step up to the platform.

I think one of the best things we did was to install the desktop about 2" out from the back, so we could run wires up where ever we needed, rather than drilling holes to route wires. We used a laminate countertop that was rounded on the front and back.

[tkpeterson12]

Where did you get the countertop from, a Lowes or Home Depot type store?

[[Admin] osborn4]

Originally Posted by tkpeterson12

Where did you get the countertop from, a Lowes or Home Depot type store?

I believe so. This was constructed before I became involved. It would be similiar to what would be used on a pennisula (although ours is more of an ithmus ).

[bpalermini]

Ours is just 12" high, just enough so the operator's head is above the heads of the congregation. Once in a while we wish it was higher but not very often.

Our sound counter is the correct height for standing or we have a high stool for the operator to sit on. The video/computer side is designed for sitting on a bit lower stool. Works great for both applications.

Our counters are just nice plywood (the whole booth is, so that it can match the pews, etc.), with banded edges, stained and finished. They were easy to make and work great. We just cut some slots in the back in strategic spots for wire access.

If you look around in my MMX gallery there are layouts and photos of our booth renovation from 2004.

[JLR]

I've posted these before but it was a long time ago... The drawings are on an excel form...

A couple things to think about is gaining access. The booth designs I am posting here have several access points.
1 the floor is removable, each floor panel is bolted down with 5 bolts (pan head screws) this gives full access to any wiring that is run through the floor.
2. The front wall (facing the stage area) opens up. One change from the plans listed is we changed to a sliding door design instead of hinges due to floor space issues.
3. the areas designated as foot space for the operators have removable panels so access is available on the fly without the interruption of opening the front doors.

Counter top was simple plywood with a routered edge topped off with a nice oil based paint.

Any questions feel free to ask.

[tkpeterson12]

JLR,

Thanks a lot for those plans! They will go a long way to helping me get our stuff started.

[liko81]

Watch out when you elevate the media desk. The space underneath has to have similar vibration transmission characteristics as the rest of the sanctuary seating area. This will allow you to accurately judge the "bassiness" of the sound from the desk. If the elevated platform is hollow underneath, you can get resonant frequencies or more overall boominess. If it's too well-insulated, you don't "feel" the bass until your congregation's getting its butt kicked by it.

[Ebroach]

We have been in our new building for about 7 months now. Our soundbooth is 8' x 14' and App 24" inches (same as stage).

When you enter the soundbooth the first work station is our Audio (ls9-32)

Then we have two 19" racks ebedded into desktop. About half of the rack is below the desktop and half extends above desktop. Video Camera on desktop tripod sits on top.

Next we have the Projection Media PC station with 2 19 inch lcd montors with our RF extenders to projectors sitting between.

Then we have our ETC lighting board station.

The main reason that we put the Audio at the left side and nearest the entrance is because the souind dude usually is the one running up to stage and back etc.

Will try to get some pics tomorrow nite.

Ps.
Our desktop is built out of 3/4 plywood covered with carpeting. this eliminates excessive noises if someone drops sometihing on the booth desktop

Found a picture of sound booth entrance to booth is on the far left.

[[Director] drew ryan]

What I have attached is about what we built. The booth is actually recessed in the floor at about 7" in the back. Someone thought that we needed to do that in order for there not to be sight line issues. Anyway, 6' deep is a minimum that I would recommend. we barely have enough room to put the console and have space to move around. Also, the counter is a bit short for getting things underneath. I cannot have any wheels on the racks.

I would also echo the gap between the back of the counter and the wall for passthrough. This design idea was not implemented in this booth but will be in future booths.

[JLR]

The stud wall on the front of ours was left mostly open for the pass through of wireless between top of desk and below...

[Paris MkVI]

This is very generic thought, but it is a thought I always suggest.

Build for the future, not just the present.

Make sure you have more counter workspace than you need now.

Make sure you have more electrical than you need now.

Make sure you have more rackmount space than you need now.

Make sure you have more conduit/cable races than you need now.

Make sure you have more built-in storage than you need now. (You do have built-in storage, right?)

Build for tomorrow as well as today. Imagine what that ideal future might be and build for it now. It will almost always be cheaper to do so.