I Transformed A 50-Year-Old Bedroom Into A Professional Studio

[leobrennauer]

Hey everyone!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post; if not, please correct me. I mean no offense.

After almost two years of work, I’ve finally finished my studio, and the first video about the build is online. Since I’ve gathered a lot of useful information from this forum, I want to take a moment to thank all of you!



If you’re interested in How I transformed this 50-year-old bedroom into a professional music and video studio, or just generally into studio builds, DIY projects, or anything like that, feel free to check it out – I’d be happy to share!

https://youtu.be/gOE3c2UUrwM?si=uWqU1fllWtzvTDS5

In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting more detailed videos about the build. So if you're interested, I’d love for you to subscribe.

I’m also open to your thoughts, tips, or questions!

Take care!
Leo Brennauer

[Drew Stephenson]

Love a studio build diary and that looks like a nice space.

[Sam Spoons]

Good job and a great space. How do you plan to use it now you have finished?

[Arpangel]

Nice, love those diffusers on the ceiling, also that piano.

[OneWorld]

50 years old!!!! it doesn't look a day over 49

Seriously though, it looks fantastic, a job well done and looks such a relaxing space. ideal for creativity

[Drew Stephenson]

OK, I know this is dull, but it's so nice to see someone get an acoustician involved right at the beginning.

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

[Sam Spoons]

OK, I know this is dull, but it's so nice to see someone get an acoustician involved right at the beginning.

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

Yes, I'm curious (nosey) to know more about the location and the house too, your family home?

[The Red Bladder]

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

That used to be a normal building practice in some parts of the world - though hydrated lime and/or ash was more usual. It prevents rot and mice and keeps noise down - our house in Germany had ash mixed with lime under the floorboards. I can't remember if it is still there or not.

[tea for two]

My fave part is at 7.01 concealing the cables in wood cable channel to fit seamlessly with wood ceiling lights and wood beams.

Seeing an acoustician phew made me feel relieved that you did this. Glad you put this at 25seconds this way those wanting to know about a studio build will hopefully realise acoustician's importance.

::

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

That used to be a normal building practice in some parts of the world - though hydrated lime and/or ash was more usual. It prevents rot and mice and keeps noise down - our house in Germany had ash mixed with lime under the floorboards. I can't remember if it is still there or not.

Woz finking of mice watching this build since there's been visitors this last year in the flat.

::

Someone I met briefly had a pole dance installed in their bedroom. Imo every bedroom studio should have a pole dance.

[leobrennauer]

Love a studio build diary and that looks like a nice space.

I'm working on it! Will be releasing many more episodes going more into detail. Im not a very talented writer so there will be only that

[leobrennauer]

Good job and a great space. How do you plan to use it now you have finished?

"How I Transformed This 1-Year-Old-Studio into a Professional Bedroom"... Just kidding

Thanks for asking!

It'll be used for all sorts of work. I studied Filmcomposition in Zurich (CH) so there'll be that but also I'll do film work and pop music. I plan on mainly using it for myself though, so there'll be no way of "booking" my studio or time in my studio to record in. This is also why I choose to build it as Live-End / Death-End, so everything in One room.

Also I'm working on Tutorials, Docs, Review, Videos and even some Productvideos for companies, so the visual aspect of the Studio was very important for me aswell.

[leobrennauer]

50 years old!!!! it doesn't look a day over 49

Seriously though, it looks fantastic, a job well done and looks such a relaxing space. ideal for creativity

Thank you so much!!

This is what it looked like before (roughly 50 years ago, it was lastly renovated). Of course it has been used and interior has changed ever since then but the windows, the floor and all the raw construction elements are from that time period

[leobrennauer]

OK, I know this is dull, but it's so nice to see someone get an acoustician involved right at the beginning.

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

Honestly YES! I wanted someone to oversee the project. I always think it's a matter of making smart decisions with your budget. Of course, I could have gone for better speakers; of course I could have gone for Basotect, of course... but everything comes at its cost and I thought rather have everything one level below and safe some money for an expert than not to.

[leobrennauer]

OK, I know this is dull, but it's so nice to see someone get an acoustician involved right at the beginning.

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

Yes, I'm curious (nosey) to know more about the location and the house too, your family home?

Exactly! This house was build in 1910 I think, on the countryside of Bavaria-in the very south of Germany close to Füssen/Schloss Neuschwanstein. It was renovated by my grandpa twice in the last century and had been partially unused for the last few years because my grandma didn’t need that much space. I know this is a privilege, and I’m incredibly grateful for the luck that my parents didn’t want to use the apartment themselves. However, they were very happy that I took the initiative to renovate this old house, including the apartment. With my father’s help, we managed to restore a home that had previously been written off by a structural engineer we consulted a few years ago.

[leobrennauer]

But also, you have gravel in your ceilings?

That used to be a normal building practice in some parts of the world - though hydrated lime and/or ash was more usual. It prevents rot and mice and keeps noise down - our house in Germany had ash mixed with lime under the floorboards. I can't remember if it is still there or not.

Yes 100% on point! I'm located in the south of Germany and this was totally normal. Also it was kind of stupid because this gravel was the ONLY insulation they used to the ouside Even in my Grandpas house (father-side), who used to live in a farmers house, they had better insolation.

[The Red Bladder]

This house was build in 1910 I think, on the countryside of Bavaria-in the very south of Germany close to Füssen/Schloss Neuschwanstein. It was renovated by my grandpa twice in the last century and had been partially unused for the last few years because my grandma didn’t need that much space.

I saw that Franz Josef Strauß was Landrat (Town Clerk or Town CEO) of your town for a couple of years! It is a stunning part of Bavaria and not far from the Alps.

You have also answered my next question - rented or bought? That is an issue that always colours the quality of a studio build.

[leobrennauer]

This house was build in 1910 I think, on the countryside of Bavaria-in the very south of Germany close to Füssen/Schloss Neuschwanstein. It was renovated by my grandpa twice in the last century and had been partially unused for the last few years because my grandma didn’t need that much space.

I saw that Franz Josef Strauss was Landrat (Town Clerk or Town CEO) of your town for a couple of years! It is a stunning part of Bavaria and not far from the Alps.

You have also answered my next question - rented or bought? That is an issue that always colours the quality of a studio build.

I’m actually hearing about Franz Josef Strauß for the first time. Are you referring to Munich? Because I'm not from there, I’m from further south

And for the other question: Since it was built by my grandpa, I thought I had already answered the question: So, it belongs to the family, which means indirectly to me, yes this makes things easier - deffinetely!

[The Red Bladder]

I’m actually hearing about Franz Josef Strauß for the first time. Are you referring to Munich? Because I'm not from there, I’m from further south

No, I meant THE Franz Josef! He was your Landrat from 1946-48. Have a look at your town's Wiki page - he is on the list of notable people connected with the town. (You are not on the list - yet! I'm sure you will be one day - your film music is that good!)

[leobrennauer]

I’m actually hearing about Franz Josef Strauß for the first time. Are you referring to Munich? Because I'm not from there, I’m from further south

No, I meant THE Franz Josef! He was your Landrat from 1946-48. Have a look at your town's Wiki page - he is on the list of notable people connected with the town. (You are not on the list - yet! I'm sure you will be one day - your film music is that good!)

You're really digging deep. Thank you for the kind words!

[tea for two]

I should written this is my earlier post.

Thing that's special about your studio Leo that's worth cherishing is your family your dad your friends were all involved in helping build it.
You showed them working in the video you thanked them in the video there is a photo of a buffet in the studio for your family friends.

Whichever you would do in the studio hopefully you will feel inspired because of family friends helping.
Because this is way more inspirational than just building a nice studio.

I enjoyed seeing you conducting.
I was taken aback to see you only have a few hundred views a few hundred subscribers.
It just takes one breakthrough: could be a cooperation with a famouse name, could be anything who knows.
Whilst being aware of severe pitfalls dangers of the industry.
Sending lots positive vibes your way Leo.

::

There's a studio build being documented on this forum Leo, which because of family of the builder being involved is special also special because we have known of the studio builder decades on SoS forum.

[James Perrett]

That was a very interesting video - especially comparing your approach to mine where I'm under fairly severe budget, space and time constraints. I was interested that you upgraded the floor rather than upgrade the ceiling below which I would have thought would be more effective. Mind you, for various reasons, my recent studios have needed to be at ground level so I don't have much experience with soundproofing floors.

[OneWorld]

50 years old!!!! it doesn't look a day over 49

Seriously though, it looks fantastic, a job well done and looks such a relaxing space. ideal for creativity

Thank you so much!!

This is what it looked like before (roughly 50 years ago, it was lastly renovated). Of course it has been used and interior has changed ever since then but the windows, the floor and all the raw construction elements are from that time period

Thanks for the pic. I have one question, as a point of curiosity. Would you not need a vocals booth? I know nothing about studio design but nearly every commercial studio I have been in had a vocals booth.

[Drew Stephenson]

Vocal booths take up a lot more space than they appear to, well, worthwhile ones do. Otherwise you're better finding a good spot in the dead end and recording there.

[leobrennauer]

50 years old!!!! it doesn't look a day over 49

Seriously though, it looks fantastic, a job well done and looks such a relaxing space. ideal for creativity

Thank you so much!!

This is what it looked like before (roughly 50 years ago, it was lastly renovated). Of course it has been used and interior has changed ever since then but the windows, the floor and all the raw construction elements are from that time period

Thanks for the pic. I have one question, as a point of curiosity. Would you not need a vocals booth? I know nothing about studio design but nearly every commercial studio I have been in had a vocals booth.

That's a great question. I actually don't work much with singers or voiceover artists because most of my music is instrumental. However, if someone does come in, I have stands with absorber material that I can set up to kill early reflections. Either way, I think a recording in a studio can include the room if it sounds good and controlled. I also have two stereo microphones permanently installed that run during every recording, so if I want, I can blend in a bit of room sound. I'm also a big fan of an open sound; it doesn't have to be super dry for me.

[leobrennauer]

I should written this is my earlier post.

Thing that's special about your studio Leo that's worth cherishing is your family your dad your friends were all involved in helping build it.
You showed them working in the video you thanked them in the video there is a photo of a buffet in the studio for your family friends.

Whichever you would do in the studio hopefully you will feel inspired because of family friends helping.
Because this is way more inspirational than just building a nice studio.

I enjoyed seeing you conducting.
I was taken aback to see you only have a few hundred views a few hundred subscribers.
It just takes one breakthrough: could be a cooperation with a famouse name, could be anything who knows.
Whilst being aware of severe pitfalls dangers of the industry.
Sending lots positive vibes your way Leo.

::

There's a studio build being documented on this forum Leo, which because of family of the builder being involved is special also special because we have known of the studio builder decades on SoS forum.

I was extremely happy about this message. I don't think I've ever heard such thoughtful and kind words in a forum as I have here, especially from you in this text. You say everything exactly how I think and feel: we are not alone in this world, and to ignore that and focus solely on ourselves would be wrong. I am endlessly grateful for everything I've received from my friends and family, and at the same time, for the immense luck I have to have been born in this world, in this place where I am. I never take this for granted, and I am just infinitely thankful.

I hope that one day I can give something back to the world and make someone's day a bit better with entertainment and inspiration through my videos – that would be wonderful.