A studio in a shipping container

[Luke Jackson]

... shipping container.

I've seen a few of these shipping containers used on building sites/industrial sites for various purposes, and it got me wondering about putting a little project studio into one.

Anyone done it? Obviously a big ambient drum sound isn't going to be possible, but a vocal booth is viable. Monitoring would be an issue obviously too... (but not much more so than in a lot of peoples' spare rooms)

[. . . Delete This User . . .]

by the time you've lined it and fitted it out, it's only really big enough for one workable, room....

get 2, and maybe you're on to something....

granted no height for overheads, but it can nonetheless be made to work....

I looked at refrigerated ones for a client project to reduce the work needed, as they're already insulated & lined.... we had designs ready to build, but then a building came up that they'd been hoping for, and we shelved the project, but it seemed eminently do-able

done Mobiles before, which amounts to the same thing, but it's still on a lorry !!

[Neokoenig]

http://www.containerstudios.com/ might be some source of inspiration then..

[Luke Jackson]

They look pretty good!

[James Perrett]

For our oceanographic research work we put all kinds of things into containers. Our Isis ROV has a complete control room in two interlocking containers which ends up looking very similar to a recording studio control room when it is put together. Our Autosub AUV has a thermally insulated workshop/garage container which is actually 2 containers joined in a T shape for use in cold climates.

Of course, you need access to some heavy duty lifting equipment to put the containers in place and some serious cutting gear if you want to start cutting holes in the side to join 2 together but there are people who build custom containers all the time.

James.

[Luke Jackson]

Seems pretty likely it's do-able then...

When you're not doing your oceanographic research,where do you store the containers?

[Richie Royale]

You may require planning permission for the siting of containers on land, so check that before you shell out any money or time on it.

[James Perrett]

If they're not on a ship they're usually stored in a large yard or next to the appropriate lab so that they can still be used back at base. Container labs are very common on research ships.

Cheers

James.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Anything is doable given enough funding... and if transportability is important then building something within a shipping container is certainly doable. There are commercial companies already offering this kind of thing, and the major-league coach-builders who specialise in TV OB-trucks and the like would be able to offer something quite imaginative and effective.

It would also be possible to do as a DIY thing if you have the skills, tools, time and budget... but it won't be cheap or easy. The obvious size constraints will be an issue, not to mention the need to control the very dominant room modes. The steel shell will also need serious treatment to control the inherent structural ringing and relatively low mass.

It can all be done... but at he end of the day I'd rather spend my money on a more conventional block-built building which would be easier and probably constructed for less. Unless I wanted to be able to transport the thing at some future point...

hugh

[Luke Jackson]

If they're not on a ship they're usually stored in a large yard or next to the appropriate lab so that they can still be used back at base. Container labs are very common on research ships.

Cheers

James.

Does any of the equipment in them require mains electricity? If so is getting a supply difficult?

[James Perrett]

Yes, our containers have mains and the wiring is very similar to the wiring to any external building in the UK. The external cable comes into a box with circuit breakers and an RCD. On a ship designed for use with container labs you will usually find suitable 32A connectors for the containers close to where they will be used but on land you would have them permanently wired by a qualified electrician.

James.

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks

[ef37a]

Certainly RFI should not be a problem!

Dave.

[Folderol]

Certainly RFI should not be a problem!

Dave.

But using your mobile will be. Hmm, has possibilities...
"Sorry about missing your mother, dear. I was in the studio and didn't get the text."