Working on a design technology project; could use some replies!

[eric.s]

This year at school (my last year), we must work on a project of our own choice in DT (design technology). I decided to work on designing a portable music recording "booth". As most of you know, recording at home can be quite difficult since there are so many ambient sounds such as ventilation, cars passing by, neighbors, etc... Anyway, what I was hoping you could help with is simply writing a few sentences on how it is difficult to record clear sounding music at home, without the use of a studio. Hope you all have a minute to spare. Thanks!

 

[JimmyS1969]

Do a search here for 'isolation' to find much info on the topic.

 

[eric.s]

Thanks! but i'm actually just in search of some evidence that people have encountered this issue so i can include it in my report!

 

[moresound]

In space no one can hear you scream!

 

[JimmyS1969]

Every one of us here has encountered the issue in some way. What are you looking for as far as evidence?

 

[JimmyS1969]

From my experience, there is no good 'portable' recording booth possibility. The constrained space itself makes it nearly impossible to get good audio results. Sure, you can get a good degree of isolation, but at the expense of sounding like you are in a small enclosed space. Most have realized isolation, whether external from the mic or used to prevent performance from offending others, is a bit of compromise in working with what you have. A dynamic mic will pick up less external noises. Guitar amp simulators can be used until an ideal time to make loud sounds is possible. A room in a room (a big one) is really the only way to achieve true isolation.

 

[eric.s]

thanks jimmys69 !
that's exactly what I was looking for anyone else?

 

[arcadeko]

Go in studio building and display - there are graphs in there that show how much the frequency variations are effected by untreated rooms. Throw that in your report.

 

[grimtraveller]

As most of you know, recording at home can be quite difficult since there are so many ambient sounds such as ventilation, cars passing by, neighbors, etc... Anyway, what I was hoping you could help with is simply writing a few sentences on how it is difficult to record clear sounding music at home, without the use of a studio.

With sensitive condenser microphones, on a few occasions after doing some good recordings, when listening back, either when the song has ended or in quiet parts, I can hear the kids playing/arguing or the phone ring ! Isolation from outside sounds is less of a problem though than the effects of electric guitar or drums on the neighbours. To contain the sounds of a guitar at high volume I've had to build a box within a box but fortunately as I put the mic right up against the amp it doesn't compromise the sound. And I have to work out the comings and goings of my neighbours {I live in a block with 26 flats} when I have a session involving drums. Just yesterday, my friend and I were recording and we managed to record 4 songs but had to stop one song early because one of my neighbours downstairs found his flat was being shaken about for four hours ! Generally the neighbours are actually great but once in a blue moon, it can get a bit much for them.