Recording

[FadingMusic]

Not exactly a newbe, but I would like to start here.
I'm planning to record a album, and I want to record it as good as possible.

This time I will be using only one microphone, which is a pain to begin with.
AKG Perception 820 Tube Microphone.

I'm not a drummer, I'm not a bassist, I'm not a guitarist, but I have to do things alone so I cannot afford to mess it up. ( how simple the songs may be, it's a pain to record )

I've build a vocal booth out of a (build in) "open" closet and filled it with foam.
Looks great, kind of comfortable, but "I believe" it collects too much bass.
I thought it shouldn't be a problem because it's not fully closed.

I'm not allowed to link a picture in here "yet" so I will post a picture later on.

I'm currently seeking out for help with acoustic treatment and microphone patterns (For acoustic guitar and vocal).
I've got 9 swichable pattern types, Omni to Figure-8. Cardioid seems to work best but I've read is not recommended for studio use. Omni Directional pattern picks up that dead sound, too.

Thanks

 

[ryguy76]

I've build a vocal booth out of a (build in) "open" closet and filled it with foam.
Looks great, kind of comfortable, but "I believe" it collects too much bass.

The problem with foam is that it attenuates mainly the higher frequencies and does nothing with the mids, low-mids and lows, hence why you think it "collects" too much bass.

Have a look at RealTraps, Primacoustic etc, for there line of acoustic panels, or build your own after searching for DIY panels.

As far as mic patterns, it all depends on what you're after. There is no one way to do it, different techniques/patterns yield different results. Where have you read that cardioid is not recommended for studio use? It's used ALL the time, especially on vocals.

 

[gecko zzed]

This:

I want to record it as good as possible.

might not be easily achievable with this:

I will be using only one microphone

or this:

I've build a vocal booth out of a (build in) "open" closet and filled it with foam.

So, to make it easier for yourself, at least get rid of the booth and record in the open air (well, indoors, at least). That will solve nearly all of your immediate concerns.

 

[RAMI]

I've build a vocal booth out of a (build in) "open" closet and filled it with foam.

I know I'm the second (or third) one to say this, but it can't be said enough. A "booth" the size of a closet is a horrible idea. Foam makes it a REALLY horrible idea.

 

[FadingMusic]

Thanks for your quick reply.
I've spend too much money on the wrong foam then. I didn't knew that.

I've already treated my room with these foam panels, should I add extra panels from the ones currently placed in my H/M vocal booth? ( just to cancel unwanted reflections )

Don't seem to cause a muddy sound in my room.

As for the pattern, I've read it several times on google stating cardioid is commonly used on stage and the Omni for studio use ( because of it's "natural" sound ) To me, Omni doesn't sound natural in here.

 

[RAMI]

Foam is OK for little touch ups, and I mean LITTLE. You need to use a material that will actually work, like rigid fibreglass. So, to answer your question...NO, don't use more foam, use less. Or maybe even none.

 

[gecko zzed]

cardioid and omni should both sound fine. If they don't, it's most likely the room that's doing it.

What size is your room?

I'm thinking maybe get rid of all the foam and just see how the room sounds without it first.

 

[gecko zzed]

Foam is OK for little touch ups, and I mean LITTLE. You need to use a material that will actually work, like rigid fibreglass. So, to answer your question...NO, don't use more foam, use less. Or maybe even none.

you beat me to it!

 

[Armistice]

I won't enter the booth debate except to say that what Rami and gecko say is true...

Microphone patterns are things that you use depending upon what your needs are for any particular task...

That you think that cardioid = stage and omni = studio indicates that you don't know what a microphone pattern actually is - I suggest you do a bit of reading, and further suggest that, in a tight and low tech recording environment, depending on what you're actually recording, you'll probaby be sticking with cardioid.

Some details on what mic you're actually planning to use would assist others to give you better advice.

 

[RAMI]

you beat me to it!

I can type really fast when I'm wearing my anklepants.

 

[BentRabbit]

I can type really fast when I'm wearing my anklepants.

Now THAT's a visual I can't shake loose...

 

[witzendoz]

Vocal Booths, Sigh!

 

[RAMI]

Vocal Booths, Sigh!

I know. I can't believe I still have the patience to type any more than you just did concerning the subject...let alone foam.

 

[witzendoz]

At least egg cartons don't get a mention...????? arghhhhh I just did.

 

[FadingMusic]

I won't enter the booth debate except to say that what Rami and gecko say is true...

Microphone patterns are things that you use depending upon what your needs are for any particular task...

That you think that cardioid = stage and omni = studio indicates that you don't know what a microphone pattern actually is - I suggest you do a bit of reading, and further suggest that, in a tight and low tech recording environment, depending on what you're actually recording, you'll probaby be sticking with cardioid.

Some details on what mic you're actually planning to use would assist others to give you better advice.

I don't recall me saying that, I just read it somewhere.
I do know what these patterns do, just not so much in practice.

@RAMI, witzendoz : Please stay on topic.
I know it may seem like a silly topic to you, but I need to know and learn these things.

 

[RAMI]

@RAMI, witzendoz : Please stay on topic.

First of all, we're completely on topic. Second of all, don't come in here with your 3 posts and tell us what or how to post. We've helped you more than you realize.

 

[FadingMusic]

Quantity of posts doesn't say anything about respecting each other.
I've spend a lot of time and money on this, thinking I was doing the right thing for my homestudio.
I came here for help, not for overly demotivational comments.

 

[Armistice]

If you repeated it my man, then you don't understand it... read up.

Cardioid is so named because it's a heart shaped pattern, and thus rejects sound from the back of the mic, where the null is - particularly useful in less than optimum environments where you're trying to control the reflections... it's also mainly used in live sound reproduction for that same quality of rejecting off-axis sound as a means of controlling feedback and the like.. hypercardioid is also useful here as well.

Omni takes sound from all around the mic, so if you're trying to get sound from all directions, then that's what you'd used. As I suspect you have a small room, and you're sticking foam up everywhere, you're probably attempting to control reflections and you won't want be wanting to pick them up with an omni pattern..... probably...

That help?

You're getting advice from some very talented people with lots of knowledge here, in Rami and gecko - just read and apply... this place is very friendly and helpful, but there are certain topics that tend to get a "not again" response, such as vocal booths, which come up very regularly...

It's all good... Welcome to HR... newbie buys the beer..

 

[RAMI]

Quantity of posts doesn't say anything about respecting each other.
I've spend a lot of time and money on this, thinking I was doing the right thing for my homestudio.
I came here for help, not for overly demotivational comments.

You're an over-sensitive, whiny idiot. We were talking to each other. You don't OWN this thread, or any other thread. Grow up and get over it already.

Like I said, you've recieved a lot of help already. More than you deserve.

 

[witzendoz]

Ok on Topic, The recording area is the most important thing when recording, a $10,000 microphone with a megga dollar pre-amp, a high end interface, top software, endless plugins, cannot save a room that sounds rubbish. In fact average gear used to record in a great sounding room will turn in far far better results.

What Rami and myself are tired off is people asking about gear to fix their problems when most of the problems are the rooms they record and mix in. Building a booth that is probably too small to start with and filling it with foam is not the answer, and before you say that's all we have, I started my recording career with a TEAC 4 track reel, and live sunn mixer, 2 SM58's and a couple of old sony hi fi speakers, but recorded in my lounge room that sounded great due to size of the room, position of furniture and some acoustic treatment that I built myself. This was 1980 and the recordings still sound good today.

You did ask for our advice.

Alan.