The Millionth Vocal Booth/Panel/Bass Trap Post!

[frick584]

Yes, it is yet another post about this topic but I'm mainly looking for a little advice on some tweaks for what I plan to do which is essentially this:

http://www.innerseed.net/misc/VocalBoothNew1a.JPG

Now let me just state that I'm going with this type of design for several reasons but mainly because I'm hardcore part-timer. If I get to sit down a record anything once or twice a month I'd be lucky. My idea is to build up to 8-2x6 panels like in the picture. Also, the room I record in is a small extra bedroom that is essentially my wife and I's closet room. Our dressers our in this room so that's its primary purpose. My thinking is that when not being used for recording these can be broken down to 2's and stuck in a corner as decoration. Hell, I'd let her choose the fabric I choose to cover the OC 703.

Anywho, as far as the tweaks go the big one, aside from covering up the OC 703, is that this design in the picture has a solid backing. I've read many different thing about this concept about having a "solid back" or "open back". An "open back" doesn't really seem like a do-able idea with my intended design. I thought about maybe trying very thin pegboard to give it a somewhat "open" back.

As far as covering the insulation this is one I'm still wrestling with what exactly to do about that situation. If the closed back is the way to go then it's not an issue as I can just do whatever really. If I go with the "pegboard" idea then I'd want to have a completely covered back as well as the front just to make sure it has a cleaner look.

I'm just a simple acoustic punk rocker doing vocals and acoustic work. I like a raw sound just looking to lessen some reflection in my workspace. Thanks ahead for any/all responses. Cheers!

[Strangeland]

Hey, I like the design so far. I'm planning on building something similar when I find the time. One thing I would consider is opening up the angles of the two side panels more, so that they are not sitting quite so parallel to each other. Many of the vocal booth designs that I researched are pentagonal in shape in order to avoid the problems associated with reflections from parallel surfaces. Spreading them apart more might help. I think this is especially important if you are planning to attach some sort of backing to the panels, since a good deal of the sound will end up bouncing back to the mic from the plywood or pegboard.

I think the more open the panel, in terms of framing, the better the absorption will be. I'm working on a bunch of bass traps and have framed them so that the sides are open. There's only a thin run of 1" x 2" outlining the back edges. However, I did add a ledge on the bottom for the OC703 to rest on for support. Anyway, I'm not an expert, but I'd leave the backing off if you can, just to be safe. Good luck! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[Glenn Kuras]

If these are made with 2" of rigid fiberglass I really don't think you need to worry about them being angled. More of the sound would be absorbed.

BTW nice design.

[frick584]

I was, in fact planning on not angling them nearly as sharp as in the photo (It was mainly just a point of reference for anyone who responded). I'll still have to angle them slightly simply because of the space I have to work with.

I'd really like to keep the back open but just can't seem to figure out how to cover the 2" insulation in the fabric and make it look proper.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by frick584

I was, in fact planning on not angling them nearly as sharp as in the photo (It was mainly just a point of reference for anyone who responded). I'll still have to angle them slightly simply because of the space I have to work with.

I'd really like to keep the back open but just can't seem to figure out how to cover the 2" insulation in the fabric and make it look proper.

I would just wrap the whole thing.

[frick584]

That was my initial thought too but not sure how I'd go about wrapping around the legs, and it has to have the legs because I'm over six foot tall so they need to be off the ground at least 6 -8 inches I'd think.

[Chuchi]

Hi,

Sorry for not being native English speaker. I am a Belgian scientist working in a small town in Italy and who is also musician and newbie in the Home studio.
I live in a barn restructured in a loft. The high volume of the barn make the acoustic very nice to record acoustic and vocals but I would like to prevent as much as possible noises and interferences that are coming from the room ( fridge, heater, etc), not to attenuate sound emerging from the guitars. I have to face the following problem that is what high res equipment is all about. I can hear EVERYTHING!!!!!

I was planning to buy something similar to what you’ve build but found that it is extremely expensive.
Could you be so kind as to describe the characteristics of the materials you did use for building that one. I am thinking about a 4-5 panels since I also sing and play guitars seated. In addition, I am also a little bit confused on how to set up the Mic boom, they should come from high to down.

Any answer would be really appreciated. Especially if the acoustic material is available here.

Ciao ciao


Chuchi

[Glenn Kuras]

He is going to use rigid fiberglass but that might be hard for you to find. You can though use mineral wool or rock wool.

[DanDan]

703 is available with a FRK backing. You could leave this and and cover the lot with fabric. Legs are not necessary. The full 8 foot panel is easier and better.
There is plenty of DIY info about panel trap construction, fabric, etc. over at studiotips.com
In EU I would look for Roksil RS100. This is a 100KG board, approximately equivalent to OC705. Stiff and easy to work with. Isover Duct cladding batts are foil backed and at 48Kg are equivalent to OC703
chuchi, none of these panels stop noise. They help keep the sound of the room out of the recording mic, but don't stop noises. I am not sure what you mean about the mic boom, but the new DPA guitar mic should be very good. Because it is so close it will not 'hear' the noises so well.
DD

[superduck15]

thumbsupThanks for posting the pic. Its really good seeing it before it gets covered.

I was actually looking at building something similar.

Just a note...it looks hard to fold away, or to have another use. If you made another panel, and then joined them as a pair (as oppose to joining 3), you would be able to fold them easily, and use them as a 4" thick bass trap when your mixing.

Legs are nice touch though, for some reason I never thought of that on mine...how could i miss the obvious

[drummerboy1533]

you could just tuck the fabric into the ends with a puddy knife or staple the fabric to the wood face and hide it with decorative molding.

[superduck15]

Hey can you post some vocal samples before and after?
It'd be interesting to see the result!!

[frick584]

Well, if I ever get around to actually doing it I will. My design may change as the example I posted may be a bit much for me to pull off. We shall see....

[frick584]

Just out of curiousity, the fiberglass panel I'd getting for my project (Johns Manville, lucky enough to live very close to a provider) come with a foil back. I'm guessing I should try to remove the foil, right?

[DanDan]

I don't see a reason to remove the foil.
DD

[superduck15]

I just started my acoustic panels based on this design.
I've been taking photos so I'll post em up when I've finished!