2007/12/16 21:30:45
bitflipper
Although sound isolation is difficult to achieve, all hope is not lost because it turns out that vocal-range frequencies are much easier to attenuate than general broadband frequencies. It's why you can only hear the bass from your neighbor's stereo - higher frequencies are more efficiently stopped by walls than low frequencies.

Here's what you can do, even in a rented apartment. It would technically violate your rental agreement, but if you do it well no one will be the wiser.

Add a second layer of drywall to the inside of the closet. Use this stuff called Green Glue, it's an acoustical adhesive for just that purpose. Two layers of drywall should give you about 20-30db of attenuation for vocal-range frequencies, enough that even screaming would be heard about as loud as normal conversational levels through the walls.


2007/12/17 04:58:12
krizrox
I think I read something about that Green Glue in a recent Tape Op. There was a glowing report about it. From what I remember it was a tad expensive but a good solution when other more traditional methods failed. Whatever you do, the secret is air tightness. Trapped spongy air is your friend.

Just curious - are there people living above or below you?

Before I would throw any money at the problem, I'd try the simple cheap solutions first. Ideally, I guess, you could have someone stand in your neighbor's apartment(s) while you screamed your head off and see how bad the leakage actually is. It might not be as bad as you think. Even just standing in the living room or wherever. This method, of course, assumes you are in good graces with your neighbors to begin with. Also, another reason to try this first is to make sure that the closet solution is actually a good place to record from an acoustics standpoint. You might find out, depending on the size of the closet, that your vocal tracks don't sound so good in there. I would try a recording first just to see what kind of results you get before going too much farther.
2007/12/17 05:42:53
Lanceindastudio
The fact that you just wanna isolate your vocal from them more so is easier really. Not much bass. Keeping bass and room noises out is hard.

The closet should do as long as it isnt adjacent to the neighbors dwelling area above or on a side. Damp it as much as you can and still have room. Vocals are WAY easier to mask then the bass from your speakers.

Lol bit just read your post, and we wer on the same page. Good idea about the extra layer of sheetrock and green glue. Is it is air tigh sealed, it will do a lot. Make sure to cover the sheetrack with acoustical foam or something because in a smaller space, lot of slap back can happen so ya need to dampen the sound, especially since you are screaming.
2007/12/17 18:37:48
joshhunsaker
i was about to offer some advice but then I checked your myspace page and realized the last thing i wanted to do was assist someone in their quest to record songs about sex with dead people....

i'm totally kidding. the closet idea is a very good one. i would recommend (just in the way of upgrades) a cheap soundcraft mixer to get rid of the ridiculous amount of noise cheap mixers (like behringer) tend to create and a large-diaphragm condenser. While it is true you can spend money on the expensive isolation foam you can do just as well with the egg-shell camping pad stuff, massive comforters, and heavy blankets.
2007/12/17 19:26:42
Lanceindastudio
Yeah dont buy auralex. Find a deal.

Foam by mail or something like that has deals...
2007/12/18 12:43:46
smashcut
Hello
I am currently building a vocal booth and need some advice. What will I need interior xlrs and 1/4 inch, AC plugshow many /set up /installation etc. Mics, good choices, etc.. The interior is 4'10" x 5'10". Ceiling is 7'3". Two new walls are three layers of sheet rock, ultra touch cotton insulation, I used green glue and sound iso clips. Two existing walls from outside in are stucco, studs with Fiberglass insulation , drywall, green glue and quiet rock as the final layer on the interior.
2x2 window on one wall 30"door on adjacent wall. Floor has sub floor 2x6 frame sitting on cement then linoleum, a 3/4 inch layer of plywood . acoustical under layment then carpet. Need advice on acoustical treatment for walls /fabric wrapped panels / and set up, placement on which walls. Also... what silent light source is recommended and does anyone have plans for baffled ventilation system.
I have Pro Tools LE with an M-box. Running on a Mac. I will be using the booth for vocals and guitar one or two singers at a time. Also for voice over work. Any experienced advice is appreciated.
2007/12/18 18:04:58
gullfo
i'd recommend 2'x4' porous absorbers (2" rigid insulation covered with flame ****ant treat cloth) centered top-bottom on each of the walls and one overhead. for lights - consider LEDs in track lights as small and bright and less heat. for ventilation, a plenum box made from 3/4" MDF and lined with "duct liner" - about 2 1/2' - 3' long with one opening into the booth, and a set of fans on the output opening side drawing air out. another box of the same type which is the supply side.
2007/12/18 20:57:26
Philip
I started with RealTraps portable vocal recording booth and suppose I've reached a happy medium:

but added insulative-fiberglass pieces (that i painted black) above and below to help prevent vertical echoes; that really helped take the dreaded 'vox in the box sound' out of my vocals.

You can save most of the $300 by just buying hard fiberglass insulation for your base-trap and getting creative; but the RealTraps PVC adheres to your mic-stand fairly well (with prior proper planning IMHO). Heaven forbid I knock down my mic-stand with that huge RealTraps PVB on it

Then behind me (about 4-5 feet) I have a Quilt hanging from the ceiling in semi-circle ($40 for a huge sexy one), to stop rear echoes.

So, the vocal booth I have is slightly sexy, cozy, and perfect (until 18 wheelers rumble by). Please use a beautiful quilt on your rear ... not a moving blanket)
--------------------------------------------

EDIT: As per Lance and Gullfo; also, RV#19 insulaton (behind wood or sheetrock) is recommended by many to sound proof outside noises (when feasible).

Now, someone might chime in and utterly ridicule our crudely sexy vocal booths; just ignore them.
2007/12/18 21:09:17
Philip
a cheap soundcraft mixer

Josh, please elaborate for dummy-me; where is the soundcraft mixer in your signal chain ... before a sound-card or interface?
2007/12/18 22:50:02
joshhunsaker

ORIGINAL: Philip

a cheap soundcraft mixer

Josh, please elaborate for dummy-me; where is the soundcraft mixer in your signal chain ... before a sound-card or interface?


I personally don't have one - I sold my Alesis MultiMix 8 to start saving for one that wasn't suffering from severe interference problems (you'd think with an external power supply, it'd at least be usable but...) I was assuming that the op's soundcard didn't include mic pre's and he was using the behringer for that purpose. Of course he could just buy a cheap 1 or 2 channel pre but for a little bit more you could get a decent (lower-end) soundcraft mixer with 4 pre's, equalization options, fx returns, and a dedicated heaphone output. I'm assuming that one day he might want to mic a drum kit and this gives him a little bit of expandability for the future while not costing him an arm and a leg...
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