I can give you a bit of help. Maybe others have more varied experience.

1. Avoid room dimensions that are multiples of each other - or an equal-sided box shape. 10x13 is better than 10x15, for example. 10x10 is REALLY BAD. If you have an 8 foot ceiling, then 8x8x8 is probably the worst. If you can angle one of the walls slightly (even 2" on one end), it will also help.

By avoiding related dimensions and parallel walls, you minimize the buildup of room nodes where certain frequencies will be very attenuated or be very loud.

2. A pretty cheap sound dampener (not soundproofing - that's different) that can be found at Home Depot or other places similar is to use carpet remnants nailed to the wall. I got some 2x4' remnants for about $15-20 each. I still have them on the back wall of my studio. I use more traditional Auralex for the front and sides.

3. For soundproofing, nothing will take the place of MASS and variable DENSITY. Two layers of sheetrock are better than one thick, 3/4" layer, for instance. Make sure the seams DON'T line up for the best isolation - and seal the seams. Even mixing 3/8" and 1/2" soundboard or sheetrock is better than two of the same thicknesses because they will absorb different frequencies better based on their thicknesses.

Hope that helps!



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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

Larry
http://www.audibleresponse.com
http://www.myspace.com/larrywilliamsproductions
...now writing/producing with Natascha: http://www.myspace.com/nataschacorrigan