New practice space. What would you do?

[Ben Harmless]

I've got kind of a cool situation, and I'm interested in any thoughts. Through an odd series of events, my band has found itself in a new practice space in a brand new building of practice spaces, and now I'm trying to think up ways to make it our own. It's about 13x13 feet, with a normal height ceiling and a window with blinds in one wall. Our old space was okay, but we shared it and weren't the ones who initially arranged and decorated it. We did put up a bunch of mismatched string lights, because we wanted "vibe" rather than the terrible fluorescent lights that were built-in, but we now have the opportunity to start from scratch.

Aside from the standard bag of tricks (lava lamp, etc) what would you do if you had a blank canvas? Budget is limited, but this is fantasy at the moment. What's your dream practice space with a medium/small footprint?

 

[Marc Morfei]

Mini-fridge is a must.

 

[Beebe]

I'd line the walls with full bookshelves. This is incredible for acoustics and addresses bass build up issues like dedicated bass traps would.

I'd also put a leather couch in there if it would fit.

Put lamps on top of the bookshelves.

Add velvet curtains on the walls if the room is too bright.

Also a wood floor with an afghan rug is the way to go.

 

[dannyh]

We use to have several rehearsal studios like that around here, bunch of rooms, some with PA provided. Think there’s only a few left.

I use to choose the one that had the best contact high.

 

[Ben Harmless]

Mini-fridge is a must.

Most likely. If we do decide to transfer it, we've got that covered with one coming from the old practice space. One of the best things about the new building is that they're going to have on-site bottle-and-can disposal.

Also a wood floor with an afghan rug is the way to go.

Ooooh. The rug is a really good idea. Believe it or not, there's carpeting in there right now, since the space was converted from offices, but I still really like the fancy-rug vibe. It'll help with the overall-too-bright feel of the room, too. We may also paint, but this is not certain.

I use to choose the one that had the best contact high.

Amusingly, I happen to know the managers of this new space, and I'm aware that they carefully worded their policy about there being no illicit substances stored on the premises. Otherwise, the space used to be an office, and the building didn't feel like it was going to offer much... history of that sort. That doesn't mean we can't make it look that way, though.

 

[Gaylord Amsterdam]

Rope lights, in the color of your choice, will make a huge vibe difference.

 

[Peegoo]

The best advice I can provide is this: don't leave any gear there that will make you very miserable if it walks away overnight. Any guitar with sentimental value, etc., should go home with you when you leave.

I have lost count of the number of stories my pals have accumulated of stuff stolen from practice spaces. Even if you change the locks, it's not secure.

 

[Marc Morfei]

Pay more attention to acoustics than aesthetics.

 

[RomanS]

Pay more attention to acoustics than aesthetics.

This, 100%.
Good sound makes practicing so much more enjoyable, and less ear-tiring.
Bass traps in the corners, some non reflective stuff on a couple of walls (rugs, curtains, book cases, homemade acoustic panels,...), and especially treat the spot where the drummer will be!

 

[Wheelhouse]

13x13 isn't very big. A drum set is going to be loud. And if it used to be an office building, how much noise bleed are you going to get from other people practicing while you're there? How much are people going to give you grief for making noise, even knowing that it was provided as a practice space? Walls for offices are not acoustically suited to be walls for music rooms.

 

[adjason]

I'd hang up a large American flag, lay down some Oriental rugs and then go from there

 

[Ben Harmless]

This, 100%.
Good sound makes practicing so much more enjoyable, and less ear-tiring.
Bass traps in the corners, some non reflective stuff on a couple of walls (rugs, curtains, book cases, homemade acoustic panels,...), and especially treat the spot where the drummer will be!

I am, in fact well equipped to manage the acoustic bit of this, and in some ways,the rest of the project will hinge on that. We've definitely got some options for treatment. I may choose some colors based on how other things go.

I'd hang up a large American flag, lay down some Oriental rugs and then go from there

I do have a modest flag collection, American among them. This may be a productive idea.

Pay more attention to acoustics than aesthetics.

Eh, it usually comes down to this anyway. As much as I have brilliant ideas in mind, they tend to surrender to practicality.

The best advice I can provide is this: don't leave any gear there that will make you very miserable if it walks away overnight.

This is good advice all around. I'm lucky in that I've never had a serious gear heist. This room doesn't feel as secure as my last one (where a cohabiting band kept custom shop Strats, etc.) but at the same time, the building itself is better protected. Still, my guitars travel with me, and my heirloom amp is semi-retired and lives elsewhere.

 

[Peegoo]

If you practice using mics and a small PA, do not place your speakers up on stands or other high-mounted locations. They will blast everyone in the ears. Instead, put them on the floor in the same manner as floor wedges.

This gives everyone the ability to hear the music as well as communicate while playing.

 

[Les H]

Something somewhat comfy to sit on during breaks is all I would need.

 

[teletimetx]

I do have a modest flag collection, American among them. This may be a productive idea.

Sure the home flag, plus flags of nations that you would like to tour - aspirational! I always thought touring Brazil would be amazing, so I'd put up the flag of Brazil. TBH, I've yet to perform outside of the US...maybe I just need to start gathering some new flags!

Or what would be theme consistent with the band name? I was once in a band called the Big Lizard Band, and yep, there was lizard paraphernalia...