Porta-Booth Worth It?

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vocalizer

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I am a newbie who is trying to start a setup to record vocals. I have been debating on whether to get one of these Porta-Booths, and was wondering if anyone has used one or knows anything about them. Is it worth it and does it really make much of a difference? Also trying to figure out how I would mount the thing, since it doesn't look like a mic stand can be attached to it. I have also seen that you can make one from scratch using something called a Whitmor cube and acoustic foam, though I don't know how I'd put it together. Anyway, thanks in advance for any feedback!

(http://www.amazon.com/Harlan-Hogan-...YP18/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1287804068&sr=8-2)
 
Don't waste your money.

Set up your mic in a decent size room (not a closet) that isn't too live and not too dead either.
If anything hang a simple blanket on any walls that are within a few feet of the mic in the direction you are singing...and that will remove the harder early reflections that might come back at the mic.

Stand in the room where you want to position the mic...clap you hands and listen for any flutter echo or ringing...then decide where to hang a blanket...or not if you don't really hear any.

Try recording the vocals and see what you get...
 
I was interested in this as I dont have enough space to put in a booth, I was looking at the "sE Electronics Reflexion Filter Pro" any thoughts? or is it a waste of money too? I thought I could use it when we are recording "live tracks" to isolate the vocals or guitar.
Sorry not trying to hijack... thought this was on topic with the op
 
mjbphotos said:
$129? Only for suckers!
Click to expand...

Ain't it da truth? AIN'T IT DA TRUTH???? (With apologies to Ray Bolger...)

If you MUST have one of those, go to Ikea and buy a canvas storage "box," then buy some sound foam (whatever they are called, I haven't had my coffee yet...) and a can of spray adhesive- then make your own.
 
We were joking about singing into my guitar iso cab the other day. Ironically with the door open it looks just like that.
 
bruiser1964 said:
I was interested in this as I dont have enough space to put in a booth, I was looking at the "sE Electronics Reflexion Filter Pro" any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Something like this would be even better than the sE filter. http://www.realtraps.com/p_pvb.htm
You just position it to remove the early reflections, but without that totally dead, "booth" sound.

Not picking on you...but for some reason on "home" recording forums...most newbs tend to obsess over the desire to have a small, cramped booth (and often they kill with it what precious little studio space they have).

Iso-booths have a purpose...mainly for keeping sound in/out if you really need that (often, for single-player home studios, that is not needed) but it seems a lot of newbs just assume that booth=better sound, which is not the case.
 
I'm not familiar with any of Harlan Hogan's VO work, but he's a busy little marketer, no doubt about it.
Most VOs that I hear recorded in these sound just like a microphone sitting in a foamy little box - somewhat better than an echoey empty room, but not great by any means.
 
Thanks for that, that was really interesting and informative.
That guy has the maddest eyebrows I've ever seen!!!
I mostly need to isolate vocals and guitar sounds (the drummer goes in the garage. My band insist on recording live......
I'll have a look and see if these are available in the UK.
 
bruiser1964 said:
I was interested in this as I dont have enough space to put in a booth, I was looking at the "sE Electronics Reflexion Filter Pro" any thoughts? or is it a waste of money too? I thought I could use it when we are recording "live tracks" to isolate the vocals or guitar.
Sorry not trying to hijack... thought this was on topic with the op
Click to expand...

TREAT THE ROOM!

DONT BUY a sE Reflection Filter. I know, I bought one! My room sounded like crap, and the sE only decreased the "room" sound in my tracks about 10%
(and that is generous)

I spent about $300 bucks on some room treatment and now the Se sits in the corner!
 
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