Sound Board from Lowes/Home Depot, any one tried it?

[ginsuthaironchef]

So I'm building my booth and treating my room this weekend!
I'm also selling my AKG C414 and buying a Shure SM7B tonight.

My question is this. I have thought long and hard about how to treat my room and what materials to use in building my booth. I found some stuff at Lowes and Home Depot called "sound board". It's sort of "fiberess", like particle board but more brittle. Any one used this stuff before? If so what was the application? How did you use it? I will also be using base traps and moving blankets.

Thanks in advance as always.

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by ginsuthaironchef

So I'm building my booth and treating my room this weekend!
I'm also selling my AKG C414 and buying a Shure SM7B tonight.

My question is this. I have thought long and hard about how to treat my room and what materials to use in building my booth. I found some stuff at Lowes and Home Depot called "sound board". It's sort of "fiberess", like particle board but more brittle. Any one used this stuff before? If so what was the application? How did you use it? I will also be using base traps and moving blankets.

Thanks in advance as always.

NO NO NO!!!!
Before you do ANY room treatment read all you can about the subject.
For starters, go to Auralex.com for some info.

And why are you selling your 414 to buy a lesser quality mike?????

[lazarus]

Don't go to Auralex.com.....Go to the acoustics section and ask there. Talk to Ethan Weiner or Glenn Kuras. they will help you tremendously. Trust me if you don't get some real info you will regret every penny you spend.

[jikky]

Originally Posted by lazarus

Don't go to Auralex.com.....Go to the acoustics section and ask there. Talk to Ethan Weiner or Glenn Kuras. they will help you tremendously. Trust me if you don't get some real info you will regret every penny you spend.

Co sign. Auralex is not going to handle low freqs. Here are some link I have:


http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm

Insulation World - Thermal Insulation Products for Pipes, Equipment, Ducts - Asbestos and Lead Abatement Products for Industrial, Commercial and Residential Applications - Hopewell, Virginia

Bass Traps Acoustic Panels from Ready Acoustics

Recording Studio Design :: Index

Specialty Products & Insulation Co.


Goodluck!

[nosebleedaudio]

Have used the 1/2" soundboard several times and works good, used in the right application.
Sound isolation is first: how much do you really need, 2nd; how much space can you give up and how much do you want to spend...

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by jikkyboy11

Co sign. Auralex is not going to handle low freqs. Here are some link I have:


http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm

Insulation World - Thermal Insulation Products for Pipes, Equipment, Ducts - Asbestos and Lead Abatement Products for Industrial, Commercial and Residential Applications - Hopewell, Virginia

Bass Traps Acoustic Panels from Ready Acoustics

Recording Studio Design :: Index

Specialty Products & Insulation Co.


Goodluck!

Works for me..no prob

[ginsuthaironchef]

NO NO NO!!!!

Before you do ANY room treatment read all you can about the subject.

For starters, go to Auralex.com for some info.

I've read a few articles and alot of posts on this forum. Here is what I understand so far:

1. More space is better because smaller spaces exxagerate reflections.
2. I don't want to build a booth (like some I have seen on this forum), because that would basically be cutting my room in half.
3. I am not as interested in sound "proofing" as I am in treating.
4. I want a "dry" sound, but not dead.
5. I don't to build a booth for fear of sounding "boxy".
6. I think I want to isolate 1/3 of my room with moving blankets.Below is a very very very crude image of my space.







___________________________
! A wall of mirriors from the 80's
!
!
! ........................................
!
!
!
!
__________________________

The right hand wall is curtains that sepperates my living room from my "studio". Inside those curtains (inside the studio) is a non-movable cabinet that I hold records and other stuff in.

The wall opposite the curtains and cabinet (left side of drawing where the exclamation points are) has a window that takes up about half the wall. I have an L shaped desk in the bottom left hand corner that takes up half the wall on left under window.

About 25% of the wall on bottom has a sliding door leading to my kichen.

My plan was to issolate about 1/3 of the room where the ......line is, cover the mirror wall, and put one moving blanket in front of the mic. The emcee behind the mic will be facing the curtain wall. I also have an SE electronics Reflection filter on my mic stand.


I am currently running an AKG C414bXLS-RNP-RNC-Mbox.

I applogize for the confusing description and sad drawing.

[ginsuthaironchef]

And why are you selling your 414 to buy a lesser quality mike?????

Well, I have been told by several sources that the SM7b is a better fit for my needs, considering my RNP and the room I'm dealing with. Why do you think the C414bXLS is a higher quality mic for MY needs (male hiphop vocals running through an RNP-RNC-Mbox)? Now I'm really confused.

Thanks again.

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by ginsuthaironchef

Well, I have been told by several sources that the SM7b is a better fit for my needs, considering my RNP and the room I'm dealing with. Why do you think the C414bXLS is a higher quality mic for MY needs (male hiphop vocals running through an RNP-RNC-Mbox)? Now I'm really confused.

Thanks again.

The 414 is industry standard for any kind of music, but if an sm7b floats your boat, then so be it.

[Ray Sr.]

Try these. Very affordable & will also help you with a mixing environment.
GIK Acoustic products ensures proper acoustics for your recording studio or home theater!

[nukmusic]

If i remember correctly, soundboard is designed to work WITH drywall. not by itself.

[DivineMusic]

nothing is wrong with the 414. i wouldnt swtich from a 414 to a sm7.. id add an sm7 with it but wouldnt replace a 414 with a sm7...
if anything i'd upgrade pres....

[daillman]

FOAMBYMAIL.COM you will thank me.

[halfguard]

Originally Posted by daillman

FOAMBYMAIL.COM you will thank me.

that stuff is pure garbage dfegaddfegad r u serious. owens corning 703. on top of that its so cheap. why do anything else.....

[phillysoulman]

thumbsup

Originally Posted by DivineMusic

nothing is wrong with the 414. i wouldnt swtich from a 414 to a sm7.. id add an sm7 with it but wouldnt replace a 414 with a sm7...
if anything i'd upgrade pres....

thumbsupthumbsupthumbsupAfirmative

[Left Headphone]

Originally Posted by jikkyboy11

Co sign. Auralex is not going to handle low freqs. Here are some link I have:


http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm

Insulation World - Thermal Insulation Products for Pipes, Equipment, Ducts - Asbestos and Lead Abatement Products for Industrial, Commercial and Residential Applications - Hopewell, Virginia

Bass Traps Acoustic Panels from Ready Acoustics

Recording Studio Design :: Index

Specialty Products & Insulation Co.


Goodluck!

Good advice!

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by DivineMusic

nothing is wrong with the 414. i wouldnt swtich from a 414 to a sm7.. id add an sm7 with it but wouldnt replace a 414 with a sm7...
if anything i'd upgrade pres....

No, no...ditch that POS!









































by selling it to me dirt cheap

[Exmun]

I'm not qualified to answer your question about the sound board... don't know about it. But I do agree that getting rid of a 414 to go to an SM7 is a step down. Add an SM7, but for God's sake don't get rid of that 414. Talk about industry standard.

[nosebleedaudio]

Originally Posted by nukmusic

If i remember correctly, soundboard is designed to work WITH drywall. not by itself.

Yes, when I've used it it was, soundboard and 2 layers of 5/8" rock.
And still the typical staggered stud or double wall.

[Stevedresser83]

I love my sm7b and might choose it over a 414 for many people but could be the other way around to

[Drlove]

PM me if you really want to sell your 414.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by halfguard

that stuff is pure garbage dfegaddfegad r u serious. owens corning 703. on top of that its so cheap. why do anything else.....

Right this stuff was tested in a lab and found that the numbers the company listed are bogus.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!

I found some stuff at Lowes and Home Depot called "sound board"

Not used for room acoustics but isolation.


Glenn

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Right this stuff was tested in a lab and found that the numbers the company listed are bogus.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!

Co-signed... The stuff is CRAP!

Also, in regards to the soundboard... It was no more effective at reducing low bass frequencies (40-80hz) than standard 5/8" drywall. Just something to keep in mind depending on your application.

[ginsuthaironchef]

Hey Tony,

Thanks for the advice.

How bout my mic question? You seem to be a micologist. You have told me in the past that there are better mics for the same price or less for male hiphop vocals than my C414.

Thanks again.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ginsuthaironchef

Hey Tony,

Thanks for the advice.

How bout my mic question? You seem to be a micologist. You have told me in the past that there are better mics for the same price or less for male hiphop vocals than my C414.

Thanks again.

Yes, there are better mics... will the SM7 be a better choice? Depends on the vocalist, etc.

I would definitely upgrade the preamp at some point.

[ginsuthaironchef]

will the SM7 be a better choice? Depends on the vocalist, etc.

In what circumstances would a SM7 be a better mic?

I would definitely upgrade the preamp at some point.

I've recorded on a U87/Neve and loved it! I can't afford those right now tho. Also, I'm too new at recording to buy those gems. I always try and master lesser quality stuff, so that when I do invest in the good stuff it's not a waste.

What preamp in the same price range $4-600 as the RNP would u suggest?

[ginsuthaironchef]

Do you guys think it's better to treat the accoustics of my room, and just record open air, or build a booth?

It seems like more can go wrong and one can easily add reflections and overly deaden sound with a booth. Should I be focusing more on using my whole room as a "booth".


Thanks again for all your guys help.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by ginsuthaironchef

In what circumstances would a SM7 be a better mic?

When you don't have a vocal booth...

What preamp in the same price range $4-600 as the RNP would u suggest?

Nothing. The good stuff starts in the 500 series at $775 and you'll need a rack (another $400)

[jsaliba]

Re: the sm7 vs the 414 -

These are both pretty different mics and you could like either one a little better for your application. The sm7 will do better in a less-than-ideal acoustic environment which you seem to have. The 414 may sound more "detailed" to you. However, I think that it may not be the best condenser for hip hop vocals in the price range although I don't really have a better suggestion in that area.

If you are considering purchasing the sm7, I would recommend keeping the 414 and purchasing the sm7 on trial. Listen to them side by side and sell or return the one you don't like.

If you don't really have experience with these two mics, it will be really hard for other people to describe it to you with words.

Good luck!

[Tibbon]

I never have understood wanting to just totally blanket a room with foam. It sounds like hell imho. I'd rather have a 'mostly' dead room, not totally dead.