Help recording acoustic guitar and vocals in untreated room.

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BlackSquire

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Hey guys,

I'm new recording and my room is really not very good for recording as it is small and untreated. I've attached a floor plan of it, the floor is carpet by the way. If you could tell me any tricks to recording some decent vocals and acoustic guitar that would be amazing.

My friend gave me a whole lot of foam, I think its sound proofing foam but from what I've heard that will just make things worse. Thoughts?
Also it is not possible for me to record in the closet or turn it into a vocal booth.

So overall,
Which way should I face?
and X/Y miking for acoustic?
will foam help?
will blankets help? thin or thick?

My mics are
-Shure SM57
-Rode M3

Any help would be amazing,

Thanks.
 

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oh and on the right wall are hanging guitars ,
the left wall has high off the ground sheves
 
You have a closet in the closet? hahaha :facepalm:
I wouldn't bother with the foam - with a carpet and that couch in there, you shouldn't have a high frequency problem, and that's all the foam will do, although if you notice some noise coming through the glass of the window, you could tack some over it while you are recording.
X-Y the two mics on the acoustic, set up near the door with your back to it, facing towards the corner behind the couch. All you can really do is try to take the room out of the equation. You may find that using the SM57 by itself is best if the Rode is picking up too much of the room.

Try the same position for vocals, and with both mics to see which works best. With a room that small, I would think the reverb would not be too noticeable.
 
You have drapes over the window? That can't hurt.

I would not use X-Y with those 2 mics. My experience is that you'll have a wandering stereo image with mics that are different. You can try, of course, but I'd probably just use both and record mono tracks, and then play with mic positions and balance to get a sound you like. I was just fooling around a few weeks ago and had a Beta57a and ATM450 right next to each other a foot or so from the 14th fret - sounded pretty good without doing anything else.

I'd probably sit facing the couch, but the sound from your acoustic is going to go everywhere, so just accept it for now. If the reverb on the recording is overwhelming, then start to hang blankets, I guess. I haven't had to go there yet.
 
I never heard of those sheets before. From the web page: High performance technology, reduces volume levels by as much as 60% (if the space is properly treated)

Pretty big caveat there. I imagine they don't do much different than regular moving blankets (absorb some reflected highs), so @ $36 each, you should really think about buying a 5-pack.
 
mjbphotos said:
I never heard of those sheets before. From the web page: High performance technology, reduces volume levels by as much as 60% (if the space is properly treated)

Pretty big caveat there. I imagine they don't do much different than regular moving blankets (absorb some reflected highs), so @ $36 each, you should really think about buying a 5-pack.
Click to expand...


there is a HUGE difference between the sound of these and regular moving blankets.

if that wasn't the case, i would not have invested in these.

i think it is implied, that i've tried real moving blankets, and gone to these instead, after actual use of both.
 
now maybe if you layered two or more regular moving blankets on top of each other, you may reach similarities.
i liked the idea of having a single layer do it, plus, they're very substantial, and with the grommets, easy to install
 
Hello,

I ´ve seen some sound engineers put some big carpet on the walls. In my case I´ve used in the past some blankets behind the curtains...I think it´s a cheap but effective solution
 
still_fiddlin said:
Moving blankets are a lot lighter in weight than those acoustic pads, but it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I'm actually thinking of picking up a couple and putting some hooks on top of the bookcases in my room so I can hang them and remove them, and keep the spousal unit happy that it's not permanent. Looking at these - cheap and grommeted:
Wel-Bilt Grommeted Industrial Blanket — 78in.L x 72in.W | Moving Blankets| Northern Tool + Equipment
Click to expand...

If you get these let me know how it works for you, the hook and grommet idea is a good one. I use an old thick bedspread-comforter and big clamps, but can never find just the right place to clamp them to!
I built a portable sound shield out of 1" thick pressed fiberglass insulation, hinged the 3 pieces together so that I can fold it up and put in the basement when not using it. Best use for it is for hanging the comforter on it. :facepalm:
 
I suggest to try the most you can to record in another room. Especially for this kind of track (acc. guitar and voice). There will be problems at the mixing stage that you'll fight for hours (and maybe eternity). You're best to find at least a decent room where you setup for a few hours and do your tracks. You'll recoup your time invested at the mixing stage and of course, get a track you'll be happy with. When it's time for recording acoustic instruments, the limit for compromise in the sound of the room you can do is really low. Too much compromises (when you have to put blankets everywhere is a good sign) and you're screwed at the start.

If for x reason, you can't change the room for this track, Grab a Shure Sm7 for your voice and a sm 57 (or another sm7) for your guitar.
That's the safest bet....and even you may be surprised by the cool result you can get!

Good luck.
 
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