Real Traps or Portable Vocal Booth

[kchurch]

Hello Everyone!

I just started recording a new album in my apartment. I only am recording acoustic guitar and using some MIDI. I am curious about using a portable vocal booth or purchasing one from Real Traps? Anyone use either one before?

Thanks.

[midKnight]

What's your budget? Both are very expensive.

Ethan Winer will tell you that traps are the way to go (and he should know), and I've looked at his portable vocal booth ($300) as well, but I haven't as of yet purchased one.

Hmm..sorry, I guess I'm not much help, as I have been exploring Gik Acoustics, based off of Ethan's recommendation as a lower-cost alternative to his traps.

-N

[kchurch]

I would like to spend around $200, or as little as possible. However, I do view this purchase as something I will use for years to come. So if you have any any other recommendations, I am willing to listen. I have found an SE Reflection Filter on ebay for $240 and was going to go that route. I have a walk in closet I can set up in and could use the filter as well. I figured this should really tighten up the vocal tracks as well as the acoustic ones too.

Thanks for the feedback.

Church

[sparqee]

I personally don't like vocal booths. It's no fun to be in them which makes it tougher for the vocalist to give a good performance, they take up a lot of space and they're expensive. The one circumstance where they're great is when you're recording a live band in the studio and you want to capture the singer live with the band. The booth reduces bleed from the other instruments.

In an apartment I think you'd be better served treating the acoustics of the room and finding a sweet spot to place the mic. Of course, if you're right next door to an airport or something... <shrug>

p.s. finding the right mic for your voice (and the space) will do more for the quality of your recording than a booth (IMHO).

[garageband]

May I recommend doing virtually nothing? Put up a couple hooks and hang some wool blankets or crocheted throws (finally a constructive use for those things) to kill the flutter echoes of your parallel walls. Sucking all the ambience off so you can add phony ambience later is a bit of a blind alley. If this is an intimate feeling record, start that way. Use the biggest room you have. In a moderately complex mix, any outside noise will go unnoticed.

And with all the cool mics to buy, I can't imagine spending $200 on a little frame with foam on it. Make your own if you have to have one, although I'd recommend using one not for several reasons.

[DogpitStudios]

The most inexpensive and useful technique for a variety of treatment is to build gobos. These are portable frequency absorbing panels. Go find an outlet that sells Owens corning 703 rigid fiberglass. buy 4-10 sheets of 1" 2'x4' panels. Then place them away from the walls and surround yourself. THERE problem solved and it only cost about $50 max.

Ben

[ryanoliver]

I live in an apartment and had to build a vocal booth recently. Main reason being that I like to sing (scream) pretty fuckin loud. Neighbors might think I'm killin someone and call the cops. Anywho...I bought a DVD from DAWbox.com, it's got step by step instructions on how to build a 4x6x7 vocal booth for $300 that looks pro and really gives my living room that "I'm a rock star" feel. Most of the materials you can get at home depot, the foam you can mail order. IF you're serious about vocal booths and don't make 100k a year, then this is your best bet.

R

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by ryanoliver

I live in an apartment and had to build a vocal booth recently. Main reason being that I like to sing (scream) pretty fuckin loud. Neighbors might think I'm killin someone and call the cops. Anywho...I bought a DVD from DAWbox.com, it's got step by step instructions on how to build a 4x6x7 vocal booth for $300 that looks pro and really gives my living room that "I'm a rock star" feel. Most of the materials you can get at home depot, the foam you can mail order. IF you're serious about vocal booths and don't make 100k a year, then this is your best bet.

R

In that case, it sounds like you need a vocal booth!

[media_maker]

I bought a vocal booth and stand from this site called editorskeys.com, have been using it constantly since and its actually amazing, I get perfect audio recordings everytime! Saves me money and time going back and forth to studios.

Also just bought a pop filter from them too, pretty cheap and work really well with the booth.

Definitely give them a go.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by media_maker

I bought a vocal booth and stand from this site called editorskeys.com, have been using it constantly since and its actually amazing, I get perfect audio recordings everytime! Saves me money and time going back and forth to studios.

Also just bought a pop filter from them too, pretty cheap and work really well with the booth.

Definitely give them a go.

That sounds like a good solution for use in non-treated or small rooms.

Be careful about claiming "getting perfect audio recordings everytime!" I'm not sure the veteran pros in major studios would even make that claim!