recording vocals - reflection filter

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ry1633

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hi all,

I have a question. I record vocals in my home studio with an AKG 200 mic and a standard pop filter. Generally the results are just fine, but every once-in-a-while they sound kinda "roomy" to me. My home studio in my basement has a low ceiling (7 ft high or less), so I wonder if I'm getting slapback and phase cancellation that I'm not factoring in.

Question: Do I need to get a reflection filter? I'm looking at the SE Electronics products that you hook onto your stand, etc. I'm just wondering if it'd be a good idea, and what my options are.

Thanks for the help and advice, ryan
 
If it's every once in a while then there's a good chance your position within the room is making the difference.
Do you move the mic about at all?

A reflection filter or some kind of absorption panels would do no harm, but it might be worth investigating how the mic sounds in different areas of the room.
 
If you're standing that puts the mic fairly close to a hard surface. Imagine setting your mic 18 or 20 inches from the side to the wall.
I would expect though that makes more frequency spikes and dips than room decay'. (Proximity makes what ever reflection relatively louder too remember.
Either way, a couple inches of fiber hung over head, and the same around you and the mic (doesn't have to be closed in on all sides.
 
Steenamaroo said:
A reflection filter or some kind of absorption panels would do no harm, but it might be worth investigating how the mic sounds in different areas of the room.
Click to expand...

I agree with experimenting, and panels that absorb will usually do no harm. But some "filter" products are reflective and color the sound, often badly.

--Ethan
 
On some older recordings a few years ago, I recorded vocals in a part of the (same) room - but a little closer to where a part of my duct work lowered the ceiling by approx 6" - but I didn't like the sound. Since then, I've moved over from that area 3 or 4 feet, and subsequent vocals have sounded better I think.

I may have to continue playing around a little bit. Have any of you had success with one of those SE filters?
 
ry1633 said:
On some older recordings a few years ago, I recorded vocals in a part of the (same) room - but a little closer to where a part of my duct work lowered the ceiling by approx 6" - but I didn't like the sound. Since then, I've moved over from that area 3 or 4 feet, and subsequent vocals have sounded better I think.

I may have to continue playing around a little bit. Have any of you had success with one of those SE filters?
Click to expand...

Yes I have used the original sE one for location recordings where the room is completely untreated. since the mic is at the front of the filter and you sing or play straight into the setup, some of the direct sound energy is absorbed before it gets to the first reflection point which means there is simply less energy bouncing around the room to be reflected to begin with.
While not a substitute for room treatment, It can help a little in taming some of room sound because there is a little less sound energy bouncing around
 
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