using sound diffusers

[zakjamesmusic]

i have some soundproofing issues using my room simply because of my giant window ( the neighbors dogs, cars goin by and crap leaks right through) and i can never get anything done because the mic is picking that outside noise up....

soo i decided to clear out my closet, its actually much much quieter in there already but i am putting sound blocking panels up to just further protect it from outside noise, i was wondering if i should use studio foam or some good sound diffusers?????

i dont want my vocals to sound dead obviously so i really just wanna know if sound diffusers are the solution? if so do i cover the entire walls or just part of them???

--im lookin for the best solution whereas money is not an issue , any feedback would be great! thanks

 

[Massive Master]

Another layer of 5/8" drywall on the interior of the room and a different window. Anything you can do to keep you out of the closet.

If you're really set on the closet (I still don't get why people think that closets are good recording spaces), rip all the drywall down (ceiling included) and fill the stud space with 4" of Owens Corning 703 or equivalent 4#pcf rigid rock/mineral wool. Cover with cloth stapled to the studs, cover the staples with furring strips. On the outside walls (wherever the other side of the closet is) add an additional layer of 5/8" drywall. You'll likely need to replace the closet door with something a little more substantial also. If you do all that, carefully, you will get an appreciably quieter space. It'll still sound relatively crappy (hey, it's a closet), and of course it'll be relatively dead (but hopefully won't be ringing sympathetically with whatever is being recorded like most closets), but you could do worse.

Diffusion in a closet? There isn't even enough physical space for all the broadband treatment you need to make a viable recording solution in a closet. Don't worry about diffusion or foam products.

But without question - If money really isn't an object, fix the room. Put the noisy gear in the closet.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

But without question - If money really isn't an object, fix the room. Put the noisy gear in the closet.

Or maybe embrace the reflections and turn the closet into a plate chamber?

G.

 

[Freya]

How much can you alter things?

It seems to me that it would be a good idea to try and do something about the window! Could you create wooden panels that slot into place over the windows?
You would want to make them as air tight as possible, perhaps using foam insulation strip or something, it depends on how temporary it is (although in my experience everything in life is temporary!). You would need to make it as air tight as possible as sound travels through air.

Even if you insist on going back into the closet this could cut down on the sound reaching the closet.

love

Freya

 

[second skin]

(I still don't get why people think that closets are good recording spaces),

depends on the size of the closet. i have a moderately sized walkin closet that makes a good vocal space. yes it has a little bit of resonance but it will be taken care of once i get a couple of bass traps in there.

i can't see trying to record in a typical 2 ft deep closet though

 

[zakjamesmusic]

the dimensions of my closet are 4' x 5' and 8' high

 

[NYMorningstar]

Come out of the closet and find a nice church to record in.

Closets are nice for hiding things but kinda suck for audio. Most everyone recording and processing audio digitally are going to buy, borrow or steal some nice plugins for processing, yes? Why not try out a few different spots to record in? Maybe a pain in the ass to move stuff but free aye?

Try a hallway, a living room, a garage, , your front porch, your back porch, the roof, inside your hardshell guitar case, a canyon, in a field, in a bar, under water(don't try this at home , on a boat, experiment, experiment, experiment... variety is the spice of life!