Home Iso Booth

[robnokshus]

I've just about put the finishing touches on the home studio and it's come down to creating the iso booth for my microphone. I've done the web searches and have seen all of the various (and very expensive) pre-fab booths out there, none of which fit my situation or budget. I was wondering what folks here have created for their project studios.

Here's what I'm dealing with: My work area is actually a corner of our family room. One wall is panelled, the other a drape covered window. The room is carpeted. I would like to build something free standing that I coud just fold up and put in the garage when I am not using it. I don't have a closet near by, so that suggestion won't work. Would rather not re-invent the wheel if I don't have to. Any suggestions?

 

[brian_stevens]

You might find some good DIY tips in the forums at http://www.johnlsayers.com.

> I've just about put the finishing touches on the home studio
> and it's come down to creating the iso booth for my
> microphone. I've done the web searches and have seen all of
> the various (and very expensive) pre-fab booths out there,
> none of which fit my situation or budget. I was wondering
> what folks here have created for their project studios.

 

[voiceguy]

> I've just about put the finishing touches on the home studio
> and it's come down to creating the iso booth for my
> microphone. I've done the web searches and have seen all of
> the various (and very expensive) pre-fab booths out there,
> none of which fit my situation or budget. I was wondering
> what folks here have created for their project studios.
>
> Here's what I'm dealing with: My work area is actually a
> corner of our family room. One wall is panelled, the other a
> drape covered window. The room is carpeted. I would like to
> build something free standing that I coud just fold up and
> put in the garage when I am not using it. I don't have a
> closet near by, so that suggestion won't work. Would rather
> not re-invent the wheel if I don't have to. Any suggestions?
>


This is going to sound crazy...but I do national voiceover out of this setup...and it works pretty well.

Go to J.C. Penney...not even kidding.

Get a 3, 4, or 5 panel Japanese Floor Screen...also known as a Shoji Screen.

Then, order 1' x 1' panels from Auralex...

Get Foam Core board at any art supply store...thicker is better. Mine is about 1/4" thick.

Cut that into 1' x 5' strips.

The Shoji Screen is a little over 6 feet tall.

Place the 1' x 1' squares of Auralex on the 1' x 5' strips of foam core...vary the directions of the panels, to help diffuse sound, while absorbing.

Ok, now you have 3-5 panels of foam, all 1' x 5'...

Place these strips down the center of each of the panels of your shoji screen.

Then, go to Markertek.com

Order their "Sound Absorbing Blankets. I have 2 of them...I overlap them on one another...

Toss the blankets over the top of your setup...double them up for better absorbption and isolation.

I have small eye-hooks inside that I hang a pair of halogen lights I bought from IKEA...flip on the lights, place your mic inside along with your copy stand...and you'll be AMAZED at how nice it sounds.

I live in a loft...14 foot ceilings...and no doors or interior walls...

This little setup is fantastic...and it's completely collapsible and removable...

So, when we have people over, I just fold it all up into a nice little triangle.

I think for the whole thing, I spent like $250-$300...I can't really remember for sure.

Good luck! I've thought about lots of other solutions...including revamping my bathroom into a voiceover studio...and also thought about building a closet in my place...but I'm going to wait on Whisper Rooms and what-not when we move into a house...

But for now...this little solution works GREAT

I can send you pics if you'd like...

Take care!

Mike Bratton
Voice Guy

 

[asap]

A good cardoid pattern mic. Aurulex foam, about 14" x 14",
mounted just behind your mic on the stand. Prevents reflections from walls. And, a compressor/limiter with a downward expander. Believe it or a not, the $100 Samson S-Com expander is better than the ones in Symetrix and DBX mic processors.

For vo, the right equipment(above)can make up 98% for a "bad" room.

 

[robnokshus]

> I can send you pics if you'd like...
>
> Take care!
>
> Mike Bratton
> Voice Guy

Mike, thank you for the detailed description of your iso booth. This sounds like a workable solution to my problem and yes, I would very much like to see pics of your setup. You can send them to: [email protected]

Thanks again! Very helpful!

 

[upndownthedial]

>
> I have small eye-hooks inside that I hang a pair of halogen
> lights I bought from IKEA...flip on the lights, place your
> mic inside along with your copy stand...and you'll be AMAZED
> at how nice it sounds.

Mike: Dont the halogen lights get a little warm in there?
...I'm also envious that you have an IKEA near you.

 

[voiceguy]

> >
> > I have small eye-hooks inside that I hang a pair of
> halogen
> > lights I bought from IKEA...flip on the lights, place your
>
> > mic inside along with your copy stand...and you'll be
> AMAZED
> > at how nice it sounds.
>
> Mike: Dont the halogen lights get a little warm in there?
> ...I'm also envious that you have an IKEA near you.
>


Well, I did forget to mention...that is IS a sweatbox when you're in there...

So...all I can say is...if you can avoid it...don't do any jobs for books-on-tape...and you're golden!

Seriously though...it gets warm, but it's bareable...you can always step out periodically and catch a breather.

It's no warmer than those pre-fab booths though. Those ventilation systems are COSTLY to add on to them...and they're not as quiet as you'd like them to be...at least, not always.

So, if you're lookin' for a workable alternative to spending several K on a booth...it does it's job...

Just invest heavily in some good Anit-Perspirant, and promise your wife / significant other that you'll always shower after a session.

And hey...it's like having your own sauna in your house!

I've lost 3 pounds just thinking about my booth!

Mike Bratton
Voice Guy

www.mikebrattonvoice.com

 

[voiceguy]

> > I can send you pics if you'd like...
> >
> > Take care!
> >
> > Mike Bratton
> > Voice Guy
>
> Mike, thank you for the detailed description of your iso
> booth. This sounds like a workable solution to my problem
> and yes, I would very much like to see pics of your setup.
> You can send them to: [email protected]
>
> Thanks again! Very helpful!
>


You bet...will send those pics this afternoon.

Rock on, and good luck!

Mike Bratton
Voice Guy

www.mikebrattonvoice.com

 

[Hart]

Here's my "travel" booth. Works pretty well:

Got it from Jeffrey Fisher and Harlan Hogan's book, "The Voice Actor's Guide To Home Recording."

I'm in the process of building my own booth now. At the moment the framing is all done and I've draped blankets and quilts over it. Sounds okay actually. In the next week or two I will sheetrock it and go from there.

Got a lot of good info from John Sayer's site (as mentioned earlier) Also some good info over at www.recording.org and www.homerecording.com There's also A LOT of bad info out there so double and triple check everything.

 

[gumbo]

Mike, please send me the pix as well? This sounds like the solution I was seeking in my family room as well.

[email protected]

Thanks

Ed




> > > I can send you pics if you'd like...
> > >
> > > Take care!
> > >
> > > Mike Bratton
> > > Voice Guy
> >
> > Mike, thank you for the detailed description of your iso
> > booth. This sounds like a workable solution to my problem
> > and yes, I would very much like to see pics of your setup.
>
> > You can send them to: [email protected]
> >
> > Thanks again! Very helpful!
> >
>
>
> You bet...will send those pics this afternoon.
>
> Rock on, and good luck!
>
> Mike Bratton
> Voice Guy
>
> www.mikebrattonvoice.com
>