Amp Iso Box for recording???

[Brother_N_t_]

I think I'm going to try and make one of those soundproof iso boxes for my Trace Elliot C30 amp - I believe that's what they're called. I was wondering if any of you have done this and if there's anything I should look out for. I think I need one of these so I can really crank the amp for recording, but not bother people. I plan on using some 2 x 4's, 3/4" plywood, some acoustical foam, some caulking, and a gramma for the bottom. Just wondering if u guys had any thoughts, precautions, or suggestions. Thanks.

Joe

[Innovations]

Originally Posted by Brother_N_t_

I think I'm going to try and make one of those soundproof iso boxes for my Trace Elliot C30 amp - I believe that's what they're called. I was wondering if any of you have done this and if there's anything I should look out for. I think I need one of these so I can really crank the amp for recording, but not bother people. I plan on using some 2 x 4's, 3/4" plywood, some acoustical foam, some caulking, and a gramma for the bottom. Just wondering if u guys had any thoughts, precautions, or suggestions. Thanks.

Joe

Don't expect soundproof. You aren't going to get it with one mass layer (the plywood). Pay lots of attention to flanking paths, every little hole and crack is going to let sound out. Unfortunately I am guessing you will occasionally want to take your amp out and use it for something else so it is going to have to be designed with some cracks and whatnot.

[Brother_N_t_]

Originally Posted by Innovations

Don't expect soundproof. You aren't going to get it with one mass layer (the plywood). Pay lots of attention to flanking paths, every little hole and crack is going to let sound out. Unfortunately I am guessing you will occasionally want to take your amp out and use it for something else so it is going to have to be designed with some cracks and whatnot.

This is true, I planned on using a spading bit to drill two small holes, one for a sm57 mic and the other for the guitar cord and then using some foam to "sound proof" the hole as much as possible. My real issue is how big to make the whole box which I'm still having trouble finding info on.

[knightfly]

Here's a site you may find interesting -

http://www.amptone.com/

Check out the top middle column... Steve

[Blue Bear Sound]

I have one of those Randall Isolation cabs -- while not soundPROOF as such, it knocks down the dB level to a stunning degree - gotta be at least 30dB reduction!

[Brother_N_t_]

Originally Posted by knightfly

Here's a site you may find interesting -

http://www.amptone.com/

Check out the top middle column... Steve

Yeah, I've seen that before, but could you point me in the direction of which link I would probably want to read. I will probably read the WHOLE page, not just Iso Boxes at some point, but just to get me started with construction...Thanks.

[adam]

what about something like the thd hotplate or dr. z airbrake or even the thd/GT/smicz low wattage tube adapters? After being not that impressed with homemade iso boxes or the unweildiness of well made ones, I have decided to go this route and use a treated closet when needed. The only thing you lose these attenuating devices is speaker break up, but that might not be a terrible thing - it isn't in my case as some of my oooold amps have kinda sensitive speakers, or loose/rattling baffles/enclosures.

[stranglerfig]

Look at the DVD from Metallica "A year and a half in the life of" there a whole section on recording and you will see the "Tent Of Doom" that got that metallica guitar sound. Not elaborate just boards and blankets..lol

[knightfly]

Sorry, thought I remembered more detail in their iso-box links - this is the only one with much of anything, and it's not much unless you're already experienced in this sort of thing -

http://www.amptone.com/g078.htm

If you can get hold of someone's old burned out dorm refrigerator that still seals, you'd be surprised at how much attenuation you can get from a frig - I stuck a boombox in one a few years ago and shut the door while pointing a sound level meter at it - level dropped by over 30 dB when the door was closed.

If you can find one that doesn't work anymore, you could build a speaker baffle and mic holder (or place the amp inside, although it could overheat in some cases) - probably the best way would be to drill two holes through the walls (the bottom probably wouldn't have any cooling coils if you can miss the compressor itself) - drill these holes just large enough for a speaker wire and a mic wire, then install an extra speaker and baffle (piece of plywood with a hole in it for the speaker) - get one of those little mic mounts that Rat Shack sells

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...%5Fid=33%2D332

and a short gooseneck, mount it all up (look at the Demeter box for ideas on this)

http://www.demeteramps.com/proaudio/ssc1.html

Then, just plug a speaker cord into your amp (hopefully it has a jack for external speaker, watch the impedance carefully if it's a tube amp) and run it into one of the holes in the frig, ditto the mic cable (you'll need to be able to solder in order to keep these holes as small as possible, and you'll need to get some silicone caulk to seal the holes afterward)

Gotta hit the sack, hopefully this gives you some ideas - or, you could just go buy the Demeter box for around $600 - I haven't heard it, but it's gotten some pretty good reports... Steve