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Booth or Room?
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Dayo
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Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Posts: 544
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JTVG wrote:
If the late Mike Sommer were with us, he would have probably suggested coverting a room.


Having trod the same path, I know that Mike would suggest the room solution.
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sounddguy
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Joined: 22 Jan 2009
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Location: Atlanta, GA USA

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

soundgun wrote:
Here's my first non-parallel wall booth design, just finished last month.

How long were the HVAC runs and were they to a dedicated unit or
tied to an existing unit?
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heyguido
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Joined: 31 Aug 2011
Posts: 2507
Location: RDU, the Geek Capitol of the South

PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for reminding me.... Meant to say it earlier.

That's one fine looking plan. Love the non-parallel walls. Perfect!
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Lizden
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am in the very early stages of having to convert a room into a studio.
I am of the "I want a booth" clan.
Not sure how it's going to work in the small area that I have, but I like to be able to have that separate space.

Pass the popcorn! Smile
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georgethetech
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Joined: 18 Mar 2007
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The HVAC makes a home run back to the blower through 25 feet of 8" soft duct which serpentines through the attic. The return also goes through 25 feet of duct back to the main unit. There's a damper to throttle the airflow into the booth which we tweaked to get the right amount of flow, reducing velocity and noise.
Next time I am in there I'll get some audio samples. As long as Howard stays in the middle and doesn't crowd the glass it sounds excellent with a very low noise floor (-70db or so).
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melissa eX
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Joined: 20 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My first choice would be room instead of booth. In fact I think that's what's been making me procrastinate about putting my house on the market. I have a great basement I've done almost nothing to - and I work with some very picky studios. It's just a good space. It's a big room with a small alcove and I'm set up in the alcove but facing the large room when I record - the space is roughly 21x25 or so. It helps that it's a basement - concrete walls - underground - though it's a walk-out basement so it does have those high windows and an outside door. When the lawnmowers, snowblowers and leaf-blowers are at work outside it's time for lunch because there's nothing I can do to keep that out - but it's a minimal disturbance and once they're done it's super quiet. I don't like the boxiness of a booth - either the sound or feeling like I'm trapped in a .. well.... box. When I do eventually sell this house and get another place I'd like another space like this - maybe treat it to keep the lawnmower noise out as well.
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Donna
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Joined: 08 Feb 2008
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Location: The studio or the barn.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

George, thanks for the HVAC details. My room has two ducts, no return, and I originally thought I wouldn't have to do anything with them because I'll just shut off the furnace/ac when recording.

Then I found out about flanking noise. That's what allows sound to do an end run from the noisy place you just spent hours/days/weeks/sacks-o-cash to isolate, right back into your room through the ductwork. Guess I'll have to deal with it after all.

We'll know more after demolishing the ceiling. I love demo!
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ccpetersen
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Joined: 19 Sep 2007
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm probably going to keep working on converting a room that I already use. Most material I've sent lately is pretty quiet (not so much even a year ago when I was using a different room).

The idea of being able to sell the room as a "theater" when you sell the house is good... we sort of did that with our last house and the projection area we'd built.

ccp
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Yoda117
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Joined: 20 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JTVG wrote:
If the late Mike Sommer were with us, he would have probably suggested coverting a room. That being said, I think it's a bit more more challenging to do, possibly more expensive and certainly more overwhelming than a small booth space. But if it's done right (and that would be the key word) by all accounts, it will sound better.


All things being equal, most people know are familiar with acoustics would go with using a room instead of a booth. When done properly, you'll get quite the isolation you want from the outside, but still maintain a sound that is very natural to the human ear.

It's not cheap, but at the end of the day it's as expensive as you want it to be. Those who go in with a plan usually fare better than those who don't (as with most things).

IMO, the source being recorded and the environment are more important than anything else. Unfortunately, we forget that a little too often.

All that being said, Philip's comment is by far the most useful. Everyone is in a different situation and has different needs. The OP needs to identify theirs' and go from there (what's the room situation, budget, desired result, and timeframe...? go from there).
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KaraEdwards
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Joined: 21 Feb 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't had a chance to read all of the responses, so forgive me if I'm being redundant...

That said, there is a studio I used locally when I was in the middle of my last move. They had a dedicated room as well as a room with a vocal booth. I preferred the vocal booth. In the dedicated studio, everything sounded too 'airy' and I could hear the faint hum of the AC. In the booth? None of that.

It convinced me to buy my own Whisper Room. I found one, brand new, online. They originally asked for $4000. I went down to check it out. Double walled, two windows, top extension (making it 8.5ft), literally used once. Gorgeous, perfect. At the time I was going to be putting it in storage, so I declined.

6 months later, when I actually NEEDED the booth...it still hadn't sold. I bought that gorgeous piece of furniture for a third the price.

I did struggle with the acoustics at first, but found that lining all corners (including the ceiling) with bass traps did the trick.

Now, keep in mind...I'm a girl with a little-ish voice. A dear friend with a rather well-known DEEP voice used my studio last month. His beautiful tones bounced all over that box like a rabbit on a 5-hour energy shot. Not-so-pretty!

In summation...go with your gut. You know in your heart what will feel the most comfy for you. All spaces are treatable in some shape or fashion, so don't stress about it too much. I love my booth because I'm a VO gypsy that seems to move a lot...this way I can set up and tear down as quickly as I can find two strapping men with 8 hours to kill who feel sorry for me...and accept liquor as payment.

Good luck with whatever you choose!! Smile
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