Vocal Booth/Amp Closet Solution?

[Myriad_Rocker]

I'm sure this has been asked before...but hey, I like beating a dead horse.

Would this be a viable solution for a vocal booth/amp closet? It could be used in conjuction with some rigid fiberglass panels that I have made or I could just use this by itself.

The Link

I guess the alternative would be to get some more fiberglass and burlap and make some more panels. However, the above solution would be cheaper. I don't have enough free panels right now to do what I need to as far as treatment in the closet.

A crappy drawing of my closet follows...

Any other advice/pointers would be appreciated. I'm basically looking to dampen the sound. Soundproofing is not really a concern for me. I just want a nice dry vocal/amp sound.

[johnny5dm]

The thing that surprised me about that link was that the guy didn't put anything BEHIND the singer - said to point at a bookshelf or corner. Yeah. I think the hardwood floors and bare walls would probably enter the mic's cardiod pickup pattern a bit more than you'd want... sheesh.

I plan on making something similar for acoustic guitar.

I would put something behind you or on the ceiling/floor at least. But even without that I think it would be a big improvement.

[notbradsohner]

If you just need to kill a few reflections, go for it. Dont expect anything frequency wise.

[Myriad_Rocker]

Originally Posted by johnny5dm

The thing that surprised me about that link was that the guy didn't put anything BEHIND the singer - said to point at a bookshelf or corner. Yeah. I think the hardwood floors and bare walls would probably enter the mic's cardiod pickup pattern a bit more than you'd want... sheesh.

Yeah, well, I'm not recording at HIS place. I'm recording at mine.

[Myriad_Rocker]

Originally Posted by notbradsohner

If you just need to kill a few reflections, go for it. Dont expect anything frequency wise.

I just want to deaden the space. I going for a dry vocal/amp sound. Minimal reflections in a nut shell.

[VSpaceBoy]

Well how many panels do you have?

Using a closet full of clothes would work fine. You could also take whatever panels you do have and set them on music/mic stands right around the mic.

[Myriad_Rocker]

Originally Posted by VSpaceBoy

Well how many panels do you have?

Using a closet full of clothes would work fine. You could also take whatever panels you do have and set them on music/mic stands right around the mic.

The closet doesn't have clothes in it. I'd also like a more permanent solution.

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'm not sure about how well moving blankets work compared to absorber panels, but I've seen a couple threads on here about people who used them and had good results.

I would still personally use broadband absorber panels setup the same way the booth is in his pictures. But if you don't want to/can't build the panels then I guess use some heavy moving blankets.

[johnny5dm]

Originally Posted by danny.guitar

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'm not sure about how well moving blankets work compared to absorber panels, but I've seen a couple threads on here about people who used them and had good results.

I would still personally use broadband absorber panels setup the same way the booth is in his pictures. But if you don't want to/can't build the panels then I guess use some heavy moving blankets.

Myriad - yeah, sorry. Was ranting. Umm... well, when my studio was actually set up, it was all moving blankets. They're great for killing high frequencies, but like someone else mentioned, don't expect any lower frequency control. So, what that means is, lining walls with moving blankets will probably work pretty well for vocals, but using it as an amp closet may still be pretty messy. Insulation panels definitely work better than moving blankets, too. But blankets are cheaper. I used three blankets hung in a triangle, blanket over top, carpet on bottom - got some pretty dry vocal recordings, so it worked for me. However, that was just sectioned off in a bigger basement, so YMMV in that closet. I have a feeling you may get some mid- to low-frequency resonance that you don't like...

[Myriad_Rocker]

I think I'll probably just go with some panels. They'll work for high frequency and mid to low. Probably some 4" panels to cover the lows. I'll make three and hinge them together.

For vocals, I'll use the panels in conjunction with some auralex hanging overhead that I already have. That should kill some of the frequencies up there for vocals.

For amps, I'll just put the hinged panels around the cab and stick a mic or two in there somewhere.

Is this the best solution?