Guitarist mixing in basement

[Philippe Guivarch]

Hi there

I'm guitarist and my playing zone @ home is the basement.
Everything is ok except the basement is very low (6 feet) just a tad higher than me
I don't play with real amps in this place anymore so I record direct in logic my electrics through various digital solution (the last and fav is Tonex).
My aim is play, practice, record and perform basic-mix on material from my band.
Though you may feel a bit heretic to do that in such a low ceiling situation and you'd suggest to invest in good quality headphone, I therefore chose the monitor route.
I get a satisfying tone through a pair of IK multimedia precision 6 (I'm not connected to Ik multimedia company).
I haven't yet performed calibration on them but I use the x-monitor feature allowing to mimic ATC expensive monitors response giving addictive medium focus.
I did a lot of simple DIY treatment: The wall behind the speaker is covered with huge thick old mastresses, including in the corners.
Though the music I'm mixing contains bass guitars, iI didn't notice any booming bass information.
My main concern is that I'm finally happy with the tone even when I push the speaker a little. Never harsh nor tiring. I don't have to change EQ a lot to have any pleasing result. In fact, I'm afraid that the result of mixing would not transfer to another kind of environment cleverly designed or even live if I take the (Tonex pedal).
I also wonder if in case of so low ceiling, is it necessary to do any treatment on the ceiling (just under the listening position) to avoid reflection (so early in this case)?
Finally, I wonder if it is worth it to add reflection panels on the wall in front of the speakers (I've often read that) ?
Any suggestion to make it better? Any return of experience on very low ceiling situation is welcome. Phil

[Philbo King]

Before adding more treatment, I suggest playing back your mix in different environments to see how it sounds. Maybe what you have is good enough.

[Sam Spoons]

I rehearse, record and mix in my 4 x 4 x 2 metre basement and have several 50mm thick panels spaced 40mm off the ceiling, they do make a big difference along with the other panels on the walls (10 in total inc bass traps). I definitely think getting the mirror points treated would be worthwhile even if you have to go for thinner than usual ceiling panels, but only you know if it's practical given you low ceiling.

FWIW I suspect you've probably made a good start with your mattresses

[Wonks]

The mirror points on the ceiling that need treatment will be halfway between the listening position and your monitors, so if you place the ceiling absorbers with care, you shouldn't need to take anything away from the height at your actual listening position.

Treat the mirror points (the positions where you could see the monitors if you placed a mirror flat against the wall and ceiling) to the sides and above you first. As the monitors are producing directional sound at mid and high frequencies, it's only low bass frequencies that will be radiating backwards from the monitors, so you'd really need bass traps to reduce those direct reflections. But any absorption there will help reduce secondary reflections from sound that's already bounced off the rear wall which then bounces off the front wall back to your ears.

[Philippe Guivarch]

Before adding more treatment, I suggest playing back your mix in different environments to see how it sounds. Maybe what you have is good enough.

Good idea ! I'll give it a try

[Philippe Guivarch]

I rehearse, record and mix in my 4 x 4 x 2 metre basement and have several 50mm thick panels spaced 40mm off the ceiling, they do make a big difference along with the other panels on the walls (10 in total inc bass traps). I definitely think getting the mirror points treated would be worthwhile even if you have to go for thinner than usual ceiling panels, but only you know if it's practical given you low ceiling.

FWIW I suspect you've probably made a good start with your mattresses

Thank you to share your experience. Still have an old mastress to adress the ceiling

[Philippe Guivarch]

The mirror points on the ceiling that need treatment will be halfway between the listening position and your monitors, so if you place the ceiling absorbers with care, you shouldn't need to take anything away from the height at your actual listening position.

Treat the mirror points (the positions where you could see the monitors if you placed a mirror flat against the wall and ceiling) to the sides and above you first. As the monitors are producing directional sound at mid and high frequencies, it's only low bass frequencies that will be radiating backwards from the monitors, so you'd really need bass traps to reduce those direct reflections. But any absorption there will help reduce secondary reflections from sound that's already bounced off the rear wall which then bounces off the front wall back to your ears.

Thanks ! after the treatment of the ceiling I'll try the mirrot points of walls !