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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Greetings everybody.

Searched the forum for awhile and couldn't find much on the specific products I'm eyeing up, so.............

The days of recording in the closet (while it does sound fine), then going back to the desk to edit, then going back to the closet for re-takes is getting rather old. Am looking at a dedicated "studio" solution and am wondering if anybody has any expereince with/or feedback on, two specific things I'm looking at....

one is the DAW Booth, DIY WhisperRoom-type enclosure.
the other is the Clearsonic vocal booths.

I'm looking for the larger variety of either of these so I can have everything in the enclosure with me (mic, monitors, speakers, etc.) The guy at Clearsonic said the IsoPac should work great for me, even in my unfinished basement where I want to locate the set-up, but I expect him to tell me that, as he's trying to sell his product.

Anybody here own a Clearsonic booth, or built one of the DAW booths?

Thanks!

Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

The sorber panels from Clearsonic are great. I use them as gobos regularly.

That said, the IsoPac solutions are nice if you can't afford professional treatment or a booth. Otherwise, I'd stick to recording in your closet for now.
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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

I'll tell ya, I can't forsee myself in the near future shelling out the kind of bucks for the size of "real" booth I would need, but I've got to get the heck out of the closet. Like I said, the going back and forth between there and my workstation is getting frustrating. Hasn't bothered me for a long time, but now it is.

Curious as to why you don't think the Isopac is a good way to go over the closet trick. (I only ask that, as you said you would stick to the closet thing if I can't afford a booth.) With the exception of the fiberglass pieces, aren't the Isopacs just a bunch of sorbers put together? Or are you saying that, as an actual "studio," you're leary that an IsoPac would be sufficient?

louzucaro · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Make sure you have REAL quiet equipment in your enclosure, whatever you end up going with. A normal PC power supply fan is a lot noisier than you'd think when it's in the space with you.

Even if it's outside an enclosure, if it's not quiet enough, your mic may still pick it up.

White noise. Blech.
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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

[quote="Yoda117"]

Frank F · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

Begin by making some inexpensive Gobos with wheels... placing them around your desktop workspace and keeping your computer on the other side of the Gobo.

Three Gobos will do do you fine - and some foam to cut reflections from behind the microphone. When setting the Gobos in place, remember they do not have to be touching, their job is to absorb reflective sound and this can be accomplished in a number of ways.

With three tall Gobos you are able to move them around the room and use the space wisely as a quasi sound booth or as an office/editing area when you choose.

I believe a simple construction method for a type of Gobo is shown somewhere in the "Gear" section from a recent post or two on the subject of "homemade voice over booth" (or some similar title).

All hail to the K.I.S.S. system!

Toodles

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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

Alternatively to Frank's method (I find his to be just slightly more expensive, but superior & will be using it in a few weeks for my current project room), one can use the sorber panels to do this job).

Like I said, I have a few sorber panels, and I love them. However, I'll be using 2 of them to provide acoustical absorption behind my omnirax desk (pics to follow after Boston trip, hehehehe...) and building gobos like Frank suggested for my audition space.

I can't justify a booth or treated room as of yet for this project, but when the time comes I will not hesitate to do so (probably by rebuilding part of the room, using floating walls, etc.).
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Jowillie · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

Cheeze...
DIY!
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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Yeah, I've seen those...great job. I too like the look of those WAY more than foam. I've entertained the thought of making a bunch of those and positioning them around my workstation, a-la Frank's suggestion. Or making the kind Bill Campbell made w/the PVC pipe. Not sure if I would need a "lid" for that solution or not, as above me will be exposed floorboards and joists in the unfinished basement.

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

So, nobody's ventured into building their own DAW booth? http://www.dawbox.com/DAWBOOTH.htm

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Chuck,

I think if you read through the archives of Bobbin Beam's blog you'll find that she's done something like what you've described.

The last summary post on her blog is here...

http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2007/06/10/build-it-youself-sound-boothprogress-report-5.aspx

You can dig back through the archives of her blog from there. I hope that's helpful.
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Frank F · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

Chuck,

No "lid" necessary. Depending upon your circumstances. (I am also assuming you are sitting down, not doing a stand-up act when recording.)

I personally do not prefer a completely "dead" room. With an open "top" you will still have to contend with ceiling reflection however.

Good luck.

Toodles

F2
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Yes, Bobbin's blog is great!

Also, can somone tell me what a "Gobo" is?...I can assume given the context, but I have never heard that term before!

Liz
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davidmonteath · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

Like you I understand it in context, but I always thought a gobo went over a theatre light to create an effect or to change the colour of the light.
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