Forum Post

User16795498720717791131 (Customer) asked a question.

November 1, 2023 at 2:53 AM
Room Design/Mix Position Advice
I have a W= 20ft X L=19ft X H=8.35ft room size.
My problem is, that I have a center bulk head running down the center, length wise.
(Vents for upstairs)
It hangs down 14' from the ceiling and 4 ft wide. It's Popcorn texture ceiling finished.

I also have a all brick fire place with mantel running a natural gas Fireplace to my left.
Right now, the bulk head runs from front to back of me.
Thats the 19ft measurement.

Even though I have that bulk head, should I rotate my mix position to make that bulk head run from left to right over top of me so that I can have the length be the longer side of the room for my mix position and me face the 19ft wall?

I have attached a pic for some reference.

Thanks in advance for your advice!
  • 5 answers

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi,

    I reviewed this with a few colleagues. Adding 45 degree bass traps to the bulkhead probably won't hurt but without analysis of the room, the benefit is speculative. I know it is potentially expensive but bringing in a real acoustician will result in better treatments. In additional to determining the orientation (taking into account the bulkhead and brick surface) various treatments including bass traps, vertical pennants, horizontal panels or combinations of all could be the bigger bang for the buck. I'm not at all casting doubt on the viabililty of your space as a good Atmos mix room. Flexibility and compromises are a fact of life and built into our studio technical guidelines.     https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/Dolby-Atmos-Home-Entertainment-Studio-Technical-Guidelines

    However, addressing this further with limited data gets beyond the scope of what is practical via this forum.

    Best,
    Adam
    Expand Post
    Selected as Best

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi,

    That is indeed an interesting room layout with some unique challenges. However, given that the width/length are only different by a foot, leaving the room oriented as it is currently oriented so that the bulkhead goes front to back is the lesser evil. Re-orienting the room 90 degrees would present a large reflective surface for the front speakers that could be harder to control. Of course, this opinion is based only on the supplied dimension and one photo. An acoustician might be able to recommend treatments that could help address this situation, but I would not expect reorienting the room to be recommended.

    Have you entered your room information and speakers into the DARDT? The current version is here:     https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/The-Home-Entertainment-Dolby-Audio-Room-Design-Tool-v5-3-12-is-Now-Available and there is a new version in testing available here: https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/The-Home-Entertainment-Dolby-Audio-Room-Design-Tool-v6-ALPHA-2-is-Now-Available?

    These will help you optimize speaker placement and mix position within the existing room layout and orientation.

    Best,
    Adam
    Expand Post

  • User16795498720717791131 (Customer)

    Thanks so much for your input. It means a lot to me.
    So let me push a bit further if I may?

    I included a little drawing of my room for a bit more ref.

    I don't mind doing acoustic treatment on all sides of that bulkhead as I plan to cover it any ways.
    If I acoustically treat this bulkhead surface by adding 1" Sonopan + material covering all surface of the sonopan,
    do you still see me rotating this room 90 degrees from present as still being bigger evil of the two?

    You said "Re-orienting the room 90 degrees would present a large reflective surface for the front speakers that could be harder to control."
    So.... If I put a 45 degree bass trap along the entire section (as I did the outer perimeter of the ceiling) on both sides, that should get rid of mostly all the reflections, do you agree?

    I also have installed two (after that pic above was taken) Ceiling clouds that are 4' X 12' that is 6" thick Safe & Sound Rockwool + 1" Sonopan board, + Material to cover all.

    IMO,
    I think, it may be better to have the fireplace (Lots of free acoustical deflection from the bricks) behind me
    &
    Mic booth (acoustic 3D Panel deflection material installed on outside walls of booth) to my rear right.

    Again, thank you for your input.

    Sincerely,
    LexXxus.
    Expand Post
    • LexXxus Control Room

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi,

    I reviewed this with a few colleagues. Adding 45 degree bass traps to the bulkhead probably won't hurt but without analysis of the room, the benefit is speculative. I know it is potentially expensive but bringing in a real acoustician will result in better treatments. In additional to determining the orientation (taking into account the bulkhead and brick surface) various treatments including bass traps, vertical pennants, horizontal panels or combinations of all could be the bigger bang for the buck. I'm not at all casting doubt on the viabililty of your space as a good Atmos mix room. Flexibility and compromises are a fact of life and built into our studio technical guidelines.     https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/Dolby-Atmos-Home-Entertainment-Studio-Technical-Guidelines

    However, addressing this further with limited data gets beyond the scope of what is practical via this forum.

    Best,
    Adam
    Expand Post
    Selected as Best

  • User16795498720717791131 (Customer)

    I understand and totally agree with everything you have said.
    The guide is the perfect next step for me.
    Thank you very much!

  • User16795498720717791131 (Customer)

    I believe I posted this in the wrong forum area but it should be moved under "Room Design"
    My bad.

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