Broadcast studio echo problem

[Grandflash13]

Hey all,

I am running into a bit of an echo problem in the studio for the TV station I work at. We recently did a set change where we basically just slid the desk back a few feet and did some relighting. In doing so, we have basically turned the set into a little bandshell and without as many lights absorbing the sound and with them being a bit further away as well we now have a little bit of an echo problem. The studio is about 20 feet or so high and what I am thinking we can do is get some heavy drapes and hang them in a sort of grid pattern up in the ceiling to help deaden the sound. Would this really help much or would I be better off getting some fiberglass insulation and make baffles out of them and hang them instead?

I do not have very many places I can treat because it obviously can't be seen on air so the ceiling seems like the best bet. I don't think building clouds would do much because they would be up so high since the lights are in the way. Also, I can tell you right now my budget for this will be very minimal.

If any of you have run into a problem like this before or if you have any good ideas I would sure appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks

 

[Grandflash13]

I was thinking about it some more and would carpet remnants do any good for the baffles?

 

[bpape]

Curtains and carpet will help some but only in the higher frequencies. They're not going to do much of anything in the vocal range. Real baffles would work better.

Bryan

 

[Rod Gervais]

Bryan is right - and you also have a code issue here with life safety - seeing as neither curtains nor carpet are made to be applied in the air like that........

Rigid fiberglass or rockwool baffles seem to be your best bet......... but that is assuming that this is where the reflections are coming from - if they are NOT coming from the ceiling then it won't kelp in the least..........

It isn't a matter of the ceiling height - but rather the source of the anomaly......

Rod

 

[Grandflash13]

Yeah, I was thinking about the fire codes but considering they are basically sitting in a big plywood box(set) what's a little more fuel for the fire. Besides, it's just the "talent".

Kidding aside, the ceiling is made of metal rafters and a metal ceiling of some sort. Most of the reflection seems to be coming from the ceiling area as well as some from a second floor set of windows which used to be where the control booth was located. I am thinking of ways to treat that as well. I know they will never spend the money for real baffles. Sadly, it's TV so the audio doesn't matter. Plus, it is a problem that is probably more noticable to me then the average home viewer but it still bugs the heck out of me.

Frustrates me that I was finally able to get them to move the anchors apart a bit more so I could get rid of the phase issues and now I have an echo problem. Ah well.