Mini Home Theater

Vocal Booths

Vocal Booths

how do i build a vocal booth recording studio?

i'll be recording vocals only in a very noisy room near a street...so i'll need sound to stay in and thick enough material to keep the traffic noise out.

Look up Basic_Home_Studio_Design by Paul White, for example, at Amazon. Poke around at the associated links to find a book that meets your needs.

Recording studio techniques - Vocal Recording

One of the most important aspects of a good recording is the vocals. The vocal recording and treatment can make the difference between a lifeless and unbalanced track, and a superbly rich and engaging one.

So what should we do in order to get that lush sound that we hear on the radio?

Microphone

Firstly you must be using a condenser mic. With the superior frequency range and subtle tone responce, the condenser microphone is the tool that practically all professional recordings use.

Room

Contrary to popular belief, a vocal booth is not necessary. In fact they came into being in the 80s due to the noise generated by the computers of that time! Nowadays computers are quiet enough that they require only minimal isolation. However, an open flat room is also not good enough, the walls should be dampened with acoustic tiles so that the bounce reflections are eliminated.

In order to test this, simply clap your hands and listen out for a slight delay or echo. It is this that you are trying to eliminate with the acoustic tiles.

Technique

Vocal technique is important so try and ask your singer to stand with their mouth about 10 inches from the microphone.

"Something as simple as asking the singer to back away from the microphone slightly on loud notes can give the overall performance a more natural feel." http://www.applebeam.com (Apple Beam Recording Studio)

Compression

It is worth compressing the vocals using a preamp at source. Keep this gentle enough that you can add more compression later in the chain so asn you have control. Compress the vocals as much as possible without sounding fake or boxy.

EQ

Bring up the top end slightly if required so that the vocals sound clear and cut through the mix. Take the lower end out to add presence to overall channel.

Tracking

Recording the lead vocal twice and layering them can add a nice warmth. Usually
backing vocals will all be recorded twice and panned left and right so as to leave space for the lead (which should be panned centre).

Mixing Levels

Keep the lead vocal nice and loud without making the mix sound unbalanced.
The lead vocal should be the main driving force of the song. A good trick is to mix the lead by turning it and gradually increasing volume until you feel it 'sits' nicely
in the mix.

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Porta-Booth - Portable Sound Studio Sale Price: $129.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This is the acclaimed Harlan Hogan Porta-Booth ®, praised by voice talents, musicians, movie soundmen and audio engineers alike. His Internet article provides simple instructions on how to build your own Porta-Booth. However, after many requests he's arranged to have a limited number of professionally-made booths manufactured. Add an inexpensive LED book light to illuminate your copy or use Amazon's amazing Kindle! Microphone not included, we recommend our own VO: 1-A, "The Voiceover Microphone". "I tried your Porta-Booth in our interpretation room and it works great! We had fan noise from computers and the ventilation system but it killed them both!" Don Thatcher, Church of the Latter Day Saints A note from Harlan: Over the years my stopwatches have become so prevalent in recording studios that several engineer's tell me they call them: "The Harlan." Who's got the Harlan? Where's the Harlan? So I had a sense of deja vu when I received this email from change strategist Kristine Oller: "I've discovered that, in my circles, your fabulous Porta-Booth product is now referred to as a 'Harlan box'... as in: 'You need to get yourself a Harlan box.' Dunno how that caught on but it has!" I Feel like Yogi Berra - "It's déjà vu all over again" Features "Mr. Hogan's Porta-Booth ® is a very practical solution that sounds great. Hats off to you sir." Peter clark, VO: Even quiet spaces can sound unprofessional because microphones "hear" the sound of the room itself. "What a brillant realization: You don't have to bulid a vocal booth big enough for both the mic & the performer - just the mic!." David Battino, Desktop Production Guide

Auralex MAX1141VBCHA MAX-Wall 1141 Vocal Booth in Charcoal; 11- 20x48x4.75 Panels; 1- 20x48x4.75 Window Section in Clear Plexiglass Only; 4- MAX Stands List Price: $1,199.00 Sale Price: $999.00 You save: $200.00 (17%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The patent-pending, interlocking MAX-Wall acoustic treatment system is made to grow and grow as your needs change... it can just go on and on and on, but only if you need it to. Don't buy more than your place requires... and don't bankrupt your pocketbook when a simple MAX-Wall system might be all you need! You want modular? MAX-Wall's your answer.The MAX-Wall’s perfect if you’re renting a space and don’t want to-or aren’t allowed to - mount anything to your walls, or if your place needs to serve a variety of acoustical purposes. MAX-Wall offers you great flexibility in a big hurry. The MAX-Wall is very absorptive, even at low frequencies. It offers great broadband absorption and is incredibly linear, with an overall NRC of 1.05! In our own use and testing, we’ve been amazed at its effectiveness. We ultimately concluded that you get great absorption because all sides of the MAX-Wall panels are exposed, thus doing double - duty. The MAX-Wall’s proprietary, patent-pending design offers excellent broadband control of sound waves throughout your room AND in the near field, so now you can play, record or mix great music or vocal tracks ANYWHERE at ANY TIME! Features The MAX-Wall's perfect if you're renting a space and don't want to-or aren't allowed to - mount anything to your walls, or if your place needs to serve a variety of acoustical purposes. MAX-Wall offers you great flexibility in a big hurry The MAX-Wall is very absorptive, even at low frequencies. It offers great broadband absorption and is incredibly linear, with an overall NRC of 1.05! The MAX-Wall's proprietary, patent-pending design offers excellent broadband control of sound waves throughout your room AND in the near field, so now you can play, record or mix great music or vocal tracks ANYWHERE at ANY TIME! The MAX-Wall is very absorptive, even at low frequencies. It offers great broadband absorption and is incredibly linear The MAX-Walls proprietary, patent-pending design offers excellent broadband control of sound waves throughout your room It offers great broadband absorption and is incredibly linear, with an overall NRC of 1.05 Offers excellent broadband control of sound waves throughout your room MAX-Wall offers you great flexibility in a big hurry

Porta-booth - Portable Sound Studio with Two Compression Sacs Sale Price: $149.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This is the acclaimed Harlan Hogan Porta-Booth ®, praised by voice talents, musicians, movie soundmen and audio engineers alike. His Internet article provides simple instructions on how to build your own Porta-Booth. However, after many requests he's arranged to have a limited number of professionally-made booths manufactured. This version includes two rugged Compression Sacs to shrink the acoustic foam for easy packing.Microphone not included, we recommend the VO: 1-A. "Professional studios aren't always affordable or available. I've found Mr, Hogan's Porta-Booth to be a practical solution than sounds great!" Peter Clark, VO:A note from Harlan: Over the years my stopwatches have become so prevalent in recording studios that several engineer's tell me they call them: "The Harlan." Who's got the Harlan? Where's the Harlan? So I had a sense of deja vu when I received this email from change strategist Kristine Oller: "I've discovered that, in my circles, your fabulous Porta-Booth product is now referred to as a 'Harlan box'... as in: 'You need to get yourself a Harlan box.' Dunno how that caught on but it has!" I Feel like Yogi Berra - "It's déjà vu all over again" Features "Harlan Hogan's Porta-Booth ® helps reduce the 'boomy-ness' that's typical of recording in offices and hotel rooms." Hart Schafer, Adobe Audio This Deluxe Porta-Booth includes two rugged Compression Sacks which shrinks the Acoustic Foam for travel. "This is a seriously cool idea - If you can't shield the room itself - then shield the mic from the room - Cheers!" Alexander Davis, Dreamseed

Vocal Booth Sale Price: $449.00 See Reviews For This Product Description On Returns, customer pays for shipping, and money is refunded based on condition item is returned in. Features 78x42x42 Vocal Booth includes Clear Front Door, and Clip-On LED Light! Grey Soundfoam and Silver Frame w/White Fittings Booth's ship out 2-5 business days after payment is received Actual Vocal Booth weight is 50 lbs.

AE-1 PRO Personal Sound Recording Booth Sale Price: $139.99 See Reviews For This Product Description You don't need a $1000 microphone to sound good you just need the right acoustics! Introducing, the "AE-1 PRO Personal Sound Booth" your solution to bad vocal recordings. If you're a beginning artist trying to create that perfect demo, or the studio pro trying to get the most out of your sessions, the AE-1 PRO is there to bring the quality that your songs demand. From the pro audio acoustic foam to the very coating of its outer shell the Audio Enhancer PRO is purpose designed to manipulate and eliminate acoustic impurities to give you the "true vocals" you need in your recordings. Much quality and engineering has gone into the development of the AE-1 PRO. It's the perfect unit to capture sound and do so while costing significantly less than the overpriced and still under-engineered devices that claim to do the same. Although there is no such thing as a substitute for a true professional audio booth, the AE-1 PRO models the acoustic effects of a professional sound booth. This means that you can expect to enjoy improved clarity and reduced distortion in your recordings.How Does It Work?The AE-1 PSB is the home musician's solution to troublesome acoustics. The personal sound booth operates by both "eliminating" and "canceling" out reflections and ambient noise through its custom acoustic paneling system. The end result of this noise "reduction" and "cancellation" is a clean and "true" sound.The AE-1's dynamic properties are ideal for untreated rooms because it generates acoustic sound control when there is none present. Features Helps Improve Audio in Vocal,Instrument,and Broadcast Recordings Advanced Acoustic Design For Maximum Recording Quality Acoustic Sound Enhancing/Distortion Reducing Shell Great Portability! Easy installation and removal to get you recording fast and on the fly! Adjustable microphone mounts (Included but not shown)

SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Ambience Control List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: $299.00 You save: $100.00 (25%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The SE Electronics Reflexion Filter is a great way to take out problem ambience with out all the expense of acoustically treating a room. The Reflexion Filter envelopes the rear of the microphone to produce a smooth,driersound and reject unwanted reflections.The Reflexion Filter is perfect for a home studio with out acoustic treatment or a performer that also has to operate the recording device. The Reflexion Filter also works very well on an instrument that requires a dry, accurate sound.An included variable position, stand clamp assembly allows you to attach the Reflexion Filter to any standard microphone stand.The Reflexion Filter has 6 main layers. Firstly, a strong layer of punched Aluminium which allows sound waves to pass through it, diffused, to a layer of absorptive wool. The sound waves then hit a layer of Aluminium foil which helps dissipate energy and break up the lower frequency wave-forms, and from here they hit an air space kept open by rods passing through the various layers. The air gap acts as an acoustic barrier. The sound waves then pass to a further layer of wool and then through an outer, punched, Aluminium wall which further serve to absorb then diffuse the remaining acoustic energy.The main absorber has 4 formed pieces of state-of-the-art specialist acoustic absorptive material attached to its face via the extended separation rods, which further serve to absorb and then diffuse the sound waves as they pass to the main filter.The stand assembly comprises a mic stand clamp fitting, which attaches by means of a vertical joint to the horizontal bar assembly onto which both the Reflexion Filter, and any standard fitting shock mount can be fixed. The microphone (in its shock mount) can then be moved both vertically and h Features The main absorber has 4 formed pieces of state-of-the-art specialist acoustic absorptive material attached to its face The stand assembly comprises a mic stand clamp fitting, which attaches by means of a vertical joint to the horizontal bar The various layers both absorb and diffuse the sound waves hitting them So progressively less of the original source acoustic energy passes through each layer.

Milian Acoustics SVT Studio Reference Isolation Headphones -- 1/4" Stereo TRS Plug List Price: $299.95 Sale Price: $199.95 See Reviews For This Product Description The SoundStage Series of Isolation Headphones from Milian Acoustics brings you the audiophile grade SVT. Designed with the studio professional and audiophile in mind, the SVT Isolation Headphones are built with the finest materials including an Sealed Bass Reflex Acoustic Speaker Chamber constructed of Authentic African Mahogany providing the richest natural timbre possible while still maintaining pinpoint accuracy. The hand crafted Milian Acoustics Oxygen Free Copper Headphone Cable is sleeved with supple weaved Nylon to reduce microphonics during handling, prevent tangling, as well as provide a gentle tactility not achieved by common headphone cables. With Total Harmonic Distortion measuring less than .2%, the SVT offers a jet black canvas for which even the subtlest elements of your music stand out with haunting articulation. This model comes with a premium quality Gold plated ¼ Inch stereo jack for use with studio mixers, samplers, mixing boards, and recording consoles as well as high end unbalanced audiophile amplifier setups. The SoundStage SVT from Milian Acoustics is also available with a premium quality gold plated 3.5 mm Mini Jack and a ¼ Inch adapter for use with portable amplifiers and listening devices. Custom Cabling is also available upon request. Features 30 decibels of Circumaural Noise Reduction 40 mm Titanium Neodymium Drivers Frequency Response: 15-25000 Hz - Sensitivity: 102 db SPL @ 1 kHz Impedance: 60 Ohms - THD: < 0.2% 6 Ft. Milian Acoustics OFC Sleeved Headphone Cable