Room Layout - which way to face mic & more

[cincy_kid]

Ok, as promised here is my post about room layout,

First check out the diagram:



The components:

Desk - Just a regular tiered desk where I will have my computer, monitor, multi-track, etc.

Monitor - This is a Yorkville monitor that I used when I was playing in my old band so that I could hear my vocals in the mix. I am guessing this may be good to use to hear the play backs of my recordings to hear what it may sound like without the untrue sounds of headphone listening.

Amp - This is my Johnson Amp that I will be using to record my electric guitar (and possibly acoustic).

Mic Stand - This is where I will be set up with a mic stand and I will be standing facing the corner to sing on my recordings.

Ok, with that being said, this noob has a few questions for some pros.

1) The 703 Framed Panels I will be making, will I screw them together using a hinge so that they are close (as tightly fit as I can get them?) or can they have some space between them?

2) Also in regard to the 703, I am guessing the set by the mic stand should be higher up by my mic whereas the ones by the amp should be lower (near the mic's height)?

3) When looking at the amp, should the amp be facing the 703 (so the mic would be between the 703 and the amp) or vice versa?

4) Without getting too much into bass traps and diffusors yet, should I also hang a piece of 703 panel from the ceiling above my head when doing vocals or is the set of 3 in a semi cirlce sufficient?

5) Anything important I am missing or should know?

I am sure I will have more questions as I seem to do nothing but ask in here, but I want to thank all who have responded for someday I will be recording some tunes instead of worrying about what to place where

Until next time,

Cincy Kid

[pandamonk]

I'm guessing you will be using cardiod mics. Facing them like you are will mean that they pick up your voice/the amp, and all the room noise, computer, etc. If you fancy the mic away from anything producing noise, then it will not nearly pick up as much noise from it. I'd suggest doing something like the attaached pic. This way will also mean that it will absorb a lot more of the problematic bass frequencies(as long as you cover both sides in fabric, and not one in fabric, and one in hardboard or whatever)

[cincy_kid]

I will be using a condenser mic (prolly SP1) for mic stand, and Sure 57 for my Amp.

So In your diagram, for my vocals do I still face the corner of the wall and have the 703 behind me or I face the 703 and have the corner of the drywall behind me? (same questions for the amp)

[pandamonk]

Face the 703 with the drywall behind you so that most of your voice is absorbed before it reflects. Same with the amp. SP1? What the Nady SP1 dynamic mic? The Apex SP1 condenser mic pack? Or do you mean Studio Projects B1 or C1?

[cincy_kid]

hehe sorry, Studio Projects b1

[pandamonk]

Good mic choice, but yeh it's cardioid so picks up what it's aimed at and not so much of everything else. So, you want to aim it away from the computer and anything else that makes noise, 'cept your voice obv. And the same with the SM57 on the amp.

[cincy_kid]

Ok, I think I see now, and this may be a dumb follow up question but I shall ask it anyways!

In your diagram, both when singing and micing the amp, the mics will be facing the corner of the walls with the absortion panels behind them. Will it help even more to also put some absortion panels in the drywall corners (like in my original diagram) in Addition to the original ones which you have so strategically placed

Also, as in my thread starting post, should the height of all these panels be relative to the height of the mic itself?

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by cincy_kid

Ok, I think I see now, and this may be a dumb follow up question but I shall ask it anyways!

In your diagram, both when singing and micing the amp, the mics will be facing the corner of the walls with the absortion panels behind them. Will it help even more to also put some absortion panels in the drywall corners (like in my original diagram) in Addition to the original ones which you have so strategically placed

Also, as in my thread starting post, should the height of all these panels be relative to the height of the mic itself?

Yeah put the extra broadband absorbers on the drywall behind. Height, i ain't sure about, but rigid fiberglass usually comes in 4'x'4 batts and you usually double them up to 8' x 2' for the absorbers, or cut to whatever height your room is.

[cincy_kid]

ok, cool, I will try it out!

Thanks for all the replies Panda. If you get really bored you can pop over to the newbies forum and put your 2 cents into this one:

My Newb Thread