Soundproofing

Juliana Bery · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 16

Hi, Guys! I'm just getting acquainted with this Forum although I've been a happy V123 member since 2004. I'm so thrilled we have this forum to banter, suggest, ramble, learn, and simply vent!!

Anyway, I've got an excellent set-up with my in-home studio. A great dynamic Shure SM7B mic, Mac Mini with DigiDesign002 Rack and Pro Tools, Really Nice Preamp, Really Nice Compressor, the works (at least for my recording world). However, I just moved to a bustling downtown highrise from a quiet suburb (where silent recording was a no-brainer), and now I'm bombarded with buses, planes, construction bursts, screaming kids at the pool 33 floors below me, church bells, honking raging drivers (Miami, afterall, was voted #1 in the US for Road Rage!), music screaming from nearby night clubs, blah blah blah. I love this city, but how do I get it to SHUT UP when I'm trying to record?!

Right now I have some average sound-proofing cone sheets that have lost their appeal to me. When I have to read a high-energy script, for example, my voice clearly bounces off these bare walls, and although no clients have complained yet *knock on wood*, I can hear it, and it makes me grimace... kopf gegen wand

... among other things.

I don't have many pennies to spare right now on extravagant soundproofing sprays or cubicles. I'm limited on what I can do with the space my studio is at right now, and moving my studio to a different room or corner is not an option due to the set-up of the rest of my place.

Anyone have any suggestions? I appreciate whatever thoughts you can offer...

Thanks!

Chip Hinshaw · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 65

If you really want to go the cheap route, hang an old comforter on the facing wall. If you have more than one old comforter, do the other walls.

Try to keep at least 6-8 feet away from reflective surfaces (I know, the ceiling may be a bit difficult).

Honestly, one of the best "low-end" ideas I've heard of (never tried though) is an isolation box (not booth) that is simply a medium-sized box (like a shipping box or you can assemble one) lined with high-density packing foam (sort of like what comes in pro camera cases or microphone cases but is actually less expensive). Glue that foam to the interior surfaces of the box and then sit your mic inside on a mini-tripod or table stand. Make sure the box is deep enough for your mic to sit far enough inside.

Louis Tristan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 266

Sweet!

That's not a bad Idea...I would do somthing like that except use a box that the firdge comes in...It may sound crazy but you could create something like the phone booth similiar to the one that was in Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure.

Using a box that held a giant fridge makes sense and since you have a Mac Mini you can lay it flat or right side up. You may choose to lay in the box for comfort.

Personally, I did the quilt thing long ago. It actually works fine, similar to the Great Wizard of OZ, remeber The Great Wizard behind the curtain..

Just watch some HDTV for some ideas...

As for the fridge box! I can say I experimented and got into one and indeed it's quiet.

Marc Ireland · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 13:12 (GMT) Post subject: Hi Juliana

Hi Julz, from Ireland.

I have been having the same problems. The houses beside me, are getting knoked down, so for the next 2 years Im going to be stuck in the middle of a noisy pit...lol

The bill in ted style phonebooth is a great idea...There are many top sites that do home studio insulation....Just do a google search.

Hey, can I ask....What pre-amp are you using? I too use protools, and am looking to achieve that warm classic vintage sound.

Wo! Wo! ................and incase I forget, HAPPY HALLOWEEN

WO WO! Very Happy

Louis Tristan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 266

Nice piano set up you have there! Your animation character demo was funny....What sort of music do you create

Here is one site which sells booths relativity cheep. You just have to have an imagination and be creative to revamp it, wall paper padded walls etc...

look beyond the old booth. It has potential.

Ever watch Dr. Who, or Superman?
The booth has been known to be used for many great things.

http://www.oldphoneman.com/PartsPhoneBooths.htm

You could make something really cheep if you buy the parts from home depot and use this as your inspiration for your time machine.

http://www.adpost.com/us/collectibles/816/

Please deposit 25c for the first one minute…

Remember! If you can fit all these people in there, then you can fit your Mac Mini with voiceover Equipment too!

Don't forget to invite your friends! Dancing

Richard Wilkinson · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 6

I have built 5 recording studios both large and small. Currently I am working in a custom built room in my detached garage apartment and am pleased with the sound. But, I have also had studios that needed treatment that couldn't be glued to the walls or be made permenant in any way.
Solution: Cool

Use baffles made from a 3/4 inch 4x8 piece of plywood or whatever size you need. Staple or glue, pink fiberglass, the kind that goes inside you walls, to the plywood with the fuzzy side out covering one side completely. Buy cheap burlap, your choice of colors, at you fabric store then staple it on top of the fiberglass around the edge. Burlap has a wide weave and allow the sound to be absorbed. If the burlap is not wide enough, cover half leaving a tuck down the middle and trim with 2"x8' stick. Make as many as you need then they can be leaned on or screwed to the wall. Make 2 and hinge them together making a V and they will stand alone. If you move, take them with you. Get creative and decorate the otherside of the plywood to match you decor. These baffles will not only reject a lot of noise, they will deaden you recording space and are cheap to make.

Juliana Bery · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 16

You guys are fantabulous! Thank you so much, I'm LOVING the ideas so far...

Oh, the Preamp I use is called just that... Really Nice Preamp. LOL. It's from the "Really Nice" series and is, in my book, the best of the best. From FMR Audio. It's an RNP8380 to be exact and is so much a part of my recording family now, I don't know how I got along without it before!

I love the phone booth photo. And the only thing I remember about Bill & Ted's is that Keanu Reeves should've stayed stuck in that phone booth.

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 01:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Juliana,

Nice choice on the RNP 8380...a great companion box to the RNC 1773, my very own compressor of choice.

I always wanted a RNP, but I opted for the Grace 101 instead. Either one is a great pre.

Good to see someone else that appreciates FMR's work!

Talk Later,
Brad Venable

Juliana Bery · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 16

Yup, the combo of those two is irreplaceable as far as I'm concerned! The entire set-up has saved me in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the mass chaos surrounding me in this buslting and quickly growing downtown Miami area. My dynamic Shur is crystal, but it can sometimes be overly sensitive. Which I don't mind. I can be, too Laughing

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 02:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Haha...Tonight on Double Entendre Theatre(tm)! Laughing

I considered the Shure...but I settled on a Rode K2 ...and I love it...but I'm adding a Neumann TLM-103 next week...and I believe I will stop cutting into my profits for awhile... Razz

Juliana Bery · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 16

Profits? What's this 'profits' you speak of? löl

Kidding.

Enjoy the new addition!

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 02:42 (GMT) Post subject:

I might actually turn a profit if I weren't such a gearhead. Razz

Where are you from again?

Juliana Bery · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 16

Originally from Seattle. Family's from Russia. Currently in Miami. A geographical mutt everywhere in between Wink

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 02:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow...I totally feel geographically inadequate all of a sudden... Laughing

I am an Oklahoma boy born and raised, although I'd love to travel...Chicago was great over Labor Day weekend... Smile

Any decent contacts on the peninsula? Wink

Clint Crawford · **Voice Talent** Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 8

I am slowly trying to put an inexpensive studio together, got me a decent mic, downloaded audacity( now if I could just figure out how to use it...I'm a Real Newbie at this) now the problem I'm runnig into is accustics...it sounds like I'm talking inside a tunnel. I was wondering ..my office is about 18x12x 7....if I was to egg crate it would it make any difference in a room that size...and would I have to pull everything off the walls and move all the furniture out. noise isnt a problem as I am in my basement, it's just getting a good full sound out of the mic..any suggestions...thanks in advance..peace and good spirit.....