Same EQ Freqeuncy problem each time...what does that mean?

[Trilltrax]

So I've been recording the last few weeks inside of this booth (idk the measurements, but its not that large, its padded, etc) and when I start mixing I notice that EACH session (with the same artist) the 250khz-500khz range makes the vocals sound boxy so I usually do a severe cut with a very narrow Q.

Is there a reason for this? Is it the actual booth that is causing this? Is there some sort of proximity effect happining with the acoustics in the booth and the mic?

Its usually the 250khz & 500khz that I cut and also 4khz because it adds this tinny, metallic sound. Like a sharp hi-hat.

This isn't my studio, Im just head over it, & we dont have any extra acoustic foam, bass traps, gobos or anything of the sort.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

It's probably the booth. The problem frequencies are probably the modes of a space that size, and because the mic is close to all the walls the reflections are practically as loud as the direct sound. Probably most of the treatment you have on the walls only helps at higher frequencies.

 

[Jeff Ling]

Try cutting a vocal outside the booth, and or using a different microphone. See where that gets you...

 

[chuckduffy]

So I've been recording the last few weeks inside of this booth (idk the measurements, but its not that large, its padded, etc) and when I start mixing I notice that EACH session (with the same artist) the 250khz-500khz range makes the vocals sound boxy so I usually do a severe cut with a very narrow Q.

Is there a reason for this? Is it the actual booth that is causing this? Is there some sort of proximity effect happining with the acoustics in the booth and the mic?

Its usually the 250khz & 500khz that I cut and also 4khz because it adds this tinny, metallic sound. Like a sharp hi-hat.

This isn't my studio, Im just head over it, & we dont have any extra acoustic foam, bass traps, gobos or anything of the sort.

Yeah - I don't have a vocal booth but I have a small untreated 10X12 foot room with low ceilings and the exact same EQ problems. The 4K thing is REALLY nasty - in my room it's about 3800 and I'm pretty shure it's from comb filtering from reflections (metallic is a pretty good indicator of comb filtering) and it sucks because narrow band cuts sound really unnatural and wider cutting there sucks the life out of the sound. Long story short - I cant eq it out - gotta kill it at the source.

 

[Farview]

That's a common problem with booths. It has to do with the small space you are recording in and the lack of proper treatment and/or proper acoustic design.

A small space with parallel walls can give you problems that acoustic treatment can't even help. (mainly because it would take more treatment than you have space in the room to put it)

 

[moresound]

And I bet the owner of the studio is real proud of the booth - right?

 

[RockinRobby]

I'll bet Lincoln wishes he could have gone to the show without a booth? The whole idea of getting in to a booth seems foregin to me. I vote for "tweet the space."