Vocal/Isolation booth problem solving

[vanderlae]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the middle of working out the best way to tackle putting in a iso booth for voice/overdubs; I thought I might be able to get away with not having one but I was kidding myself. At the back of my space is a small entrance opening up to the room, and that's where I'm looking at putting it.

It's an odd shaped area; the ceiling pitches up on one side (see photos) which is probably a good thing if the booth follows the contours of that, but my main concern is to have it provide a balanced (neutral) sound. Larger booths are better for this of course, but I am hoping that I can achieve this with the right acoustic treatment when building it. Last thing I want is for vocals or voice-overs to sound boxy.

Outside dimensions are approx. 1400mm (W) x 1920mm (L) x 3400mm (H) at the highest point.

I am torn between treating each wall separately to effectively butt-up to each other and provide the booth, or building the booth inside the space as a free-standing (albeit, secured) booth. The existing door that opens to the entrance means either I need to work with it, or build the wall of the door to clear it whilst putting in a door of course on the booth wall to get through it. I lease this place and need to be able to pull it down.

FYI, because the entrance is recessed and you don't see all of the space from the actual room/studio, you would only see the door of the booth. Which is handy.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. I've tried my best to take photos that show the small area at the back of my space.

cheers!

Dave

[rick]

you are not going to get a balanced neutral sound in that space
accept that and the solution is easy

hit the walls with a 3-4 inch type open cell foam (try fonic in brisbane) bung a doorway and a door in with a window in it without treatment
bunnings have a double glassed door for about $300 with a neato blind inside it
stick a rpg skyline on the sloping roof and it will be great (well pretty great )

i think rodes have started selling wall mounted and overhead mic stands under $100 get one of them i reckon
unless everybody that is using the booth will be skinny

patch your holes in the wall up when you leave

[vanderlae]

G'day Rick.

Yes, I guess wanting a neutral sound as in 'open' or 'natural' is never going to happen, but I don't mind it sounding tight as long as it doesn't suck any qualities from the voice going into the mic, not make it sound boxy.

As for your suggestion of the foam, well I've been using CSR 'Soundscreen' in the room for hung walls (wall on wall), and it sounds good. Dry, dead. Like the photos below. What do you think of extending this idea to the area for the booth?

RPG Skyline is a good idea. Gotta find a supplier and price now.

Of course, other than to contain sound, my objective is to prevent sound getting in, hence why I was thinking about making it a 'booth' style rather than just treating the existing walls. Granted however that treating the existing walls would be a lot easier and I like your suggestion of the door from bunnings also. Nice one.

Ta, Dave.

[Hud]

That fabric + wood combo looks awesome dude, I'm glad to hear it sounds good too! Beats my regular calico..

[vanderlae]

Hudan, calico would have been a cheaper (much) option and I did consider it, though I was going for a certain look and in the end I chose something that didn't just look like a giant pin cushion! I will probably use this same fabric in the 'booth', if the cost isn't too prohibitive.

[vanderlae]

Re flooring for the booth, I am thinking about hardwood floorboards - add some reflection for the occasions I may need it - I know it's a small space, but my train of thought is it at least provides an option.

Considering the size of this - approx. 2m x 1.4m x 3m (height at the highest point) is this a viable option or should I just stick to carpet?

Ta,
Dave

[Hookemeister]

Re flooring for the booth, I am thinking about hardwood floorboards - add some reflection for the occasions I may need it - I know it's a small space, but my train of thought is it at least provides an option.

Considering the size of this - approx. 2m x 1.4m x 3m (height at the highest point) is this a viable option or should I just stick to carpet?

Hi David

I believe in keeping all options open so I'd suggest you go with the hardwood floor then go to your local carpet shop and buy yourself nice plush piece of pure wool carpet and get them to cut it to size (slightly smaller than the floor area) and get them to overlock the edges for you. Make sure it's pure wool... you don't want static electricity problems.

This way if you want to deaden the ambience you roll out the carpet piece.

Keep the carpet rolled up in the corner when your not using it on the floor and you'll have the added advantage of some low frequency absorption. Make up some Velcro cable ties to stop the carpet from unwinding when it's rolled up.

Hope this helps.

Greg

[Hookemeister]

Oops... forgot to put my surname.

Hey Rick is there a way I can have this automatically done when I reply to a post???

Greg Hooke

[Kurt]

Greg, in the user control panel you can set up a signature, it will automatically add whatever you tell it to to the bottom of every message.

[Hookemeister]

Thanks Kurt... too easy.