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Develop the design brief for a recording studio control room, live area and programming suite

URN: CCSMT1
Business Sectors (Suites): Sound Recording and Music Technology.
Developed by: ScreenSkills
Approved on: 2020

Overview

​This standard is about developing the brief for design of a potential recording studio control room and live area or a programming suite.  This briefing is likely to be for an acoustician, studio designer or architect.

This involves specifying creative and physical requirements and budget and time constraints, researching suitable spaces, assessing designs against requirements and legal compliance, and agreeing changes to brief or designs.

This standard is for anyone who needs to commission a design for a potential recording studio control room, associated live area or a programming suite.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. obtain accurate information about available budgets and required timescales
  2. agree requirements for space and any other physical requirements with stakeholders
  3. research and agree desired creative and acoustic requirements with stakeholders
  4. develop a brief which specifies full details of all requirements and constraints
  5. develop a brief in clear, unambiguous language
  6. investigate suitable spaces for conversion
  7. identify people or organisations with sufficient relevant expertise in recording studio design
  8. give the people or organisations receiving the brief suitable opportunities to clarify your requirements
  9. analyse feasibility studies and drawings for designed space against requirements
  10. check calculated room responses of draft layouts meet requirements
  11. check studio conversion design plans comply with legal requirements
  12. assess projected construction and installation costs against budget
  13. manage conflict between desired requirements and what is achievable at appropriate times
  14. agree changes to designs and requirements with appropriate people
  15. assess projected completion timescales against requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the purpose of recording studio control rooms, associated live areas  and programming suites
  2. how to identify the potential of spaces for conversion into recording studios
  3. the stakeholders involved and how to consult them about physical, creative and acoustic requirements
  4. communication methods for liaising with technical experts and designers
  5. how to develop and structure a brief
  6. how to assess creative and acoustic requirements
  7. the principles of sound
  8. the effects of physical requirements on recording studio operation
  9. how to identify people who may have experience in recording studio design including acousticians, studio designers and architects
  10. what is involved in a feasibility survey including measurements and investigations into the supply of mains wiring, air/heating, ventilation and air conditioning and other requisite features
  11. the materials, equipment, racking units and furniture required and reasons for use
  12. the importance of structural and acoustic research
  13. where to obtain information about budget and costs
  14. the importance of keeping records
  15. studio construction methods
  16. building standards relevant to recording studios
  17. relevant health and safety factors to be taken into consideration including noise control

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Creative & Cultural Skills

Original URN

CCSMT36

Relevant Occupations

Studio Engineer

SOC Code

3417

Keywords

Design brief; Design; Recording studio; Programming suite; Live area; Performance; Sound; Music; Music Technology; Sound Recording;