Building the Studio: 2020-11-13 to 2021-01-30
Start from zero
I bought a house in Michigan in October 2020. I discovered there were hardwood floors underneath the carpet, so I had the carpet removed and the floors refinished. I kept the carpet to use in the studio that I was planning to build in April 2021.
I moved into my house November 1st, 2020. My company laid off my entire department 5 days later on November 6th. I did nothing for the next week trying to process what happened.
Day 1
On November 13th, I decided to build my studio. It was an average of 40 degrees (F) and I only had myself and a space heater.
The back of the garage wall was a workers bench with an upper area supported by a loose vertical beam. You are looking at a 13 foot side wall and the carpet roll from the house.
Step 0: Taking inventory
Initial inspection. I had two windows that were boarded up, exterior walls, no ceiling (what you see are boards laying across the top), cement floor, 2-pole wiring, and lack of a wall to make it a room. There was also a weird corner shelf by the side garage door.
Step 1: Designing the room
Nov 13th - 19th, 2020: I had to figure out how many wood panels needed for the walls and ceiling. Same measurements used for drywall. Also mapped out how the studs and door will be laid out for the 13 foot wall I have to build.
Step 2: Tear Down
Nov 20th - 24th, 2020: I removed every wood structure from each wall over 4 days and this gave me a nice pile of wood to reuse.
Step 3: Framing
Nov 24th - 25th, 2020: Reusing the wood, I mounted a vertical stud in a window. I installed a baseboard around the three walls using a 2.5 inch air gap. Added a board to the long wall to mount the ceiling. Added support framing to the ceiling so it could hold the weight of the plywood and drywall layers.
Step 4: Electrical
Nov 29th, 2020: Ran new romex, added ground line, installed boxes and outlets, and insulated gaps in the exterior wall.
Step 5: Insulation
Nov 30th, 2020: Insulated three walls.
Step 6: Build a wall
Nov 30th - Dec 23rd, 2020: Build the wall to cut the garage in half. Frame the door. Mount the baseplate to the cement. Due to the size of the wall and the garage door unit in the way, I had to build the wall in place instead of raising the wall.
This part took the longest because I was recording "Chasing Darkness" in my basement during the same time.
Step 7: Ceiling
Jan 1st, 2021: Chasing Darkness is released.
Jan 2nd, 2021: I get the delivery of wood panels and I have to move it from my driveway to the garage because it is about to snow. I jump right in and build the first layer of the ceiling.
Step 8: Back to the wall
Jan 3rd, 2021: I panel the outer side of the wall and insulate the inside.
Step 9: Back to the ceiling
Jan 3rd, 2021: Got the last ceiling board placed, ran insulation, and dropped the electric line for lights.
Step 10: The walls
Jan 4th - Jan 5th, 2021: Installed wood panel over all the interior walls.
Step 11: The door
Jan 9th, 2021: Installed the studio door.
Step 12: Drywall
Jan 9th - Jan 13th, 2021: Installed the drywall, spackle, and primer coat of paint.
Step 13: Paint
Jan 14th - Jan 15th, 2021: Using a laser and tape to make lines. I applied two coats of paint. Also installed the light fixture.
Step 14: Carpet and Mirror
Jan 16th: Rolled out the carpet. Also hung a large mirror on the wall.
Step 15: Diffusor panels
Jan 15th - Jan 25th, 2021: Built two diffusor panels based on BBC diffusor schematics.
Step 16: FINISHING UP
Jan 17th - Jan 30th, 2021: Installed the console, ran CAT5 cable from house to the garage, put up acoustic panels and diffusors, and moved in my gear.
In 78 days I built a studio with my own hands.
