Overview
You have your great idea for a podcast, a quality microphone and your DAW figured out. You feel ready to start recording, boot everything up…but…everything sounds like it was recorded in the most reverberant bathroom of all time!
Proper absorption and the location of acoustical treatment can clean up your recordings and raise your work to a professional quality – with just a few simple steps.
FAQs Related to this Article
- Where do I place my Studiofoam and LENRDs?
- How much Studiofoam do I need to "soundproof" my room?
- How do I treat my room without damaging my walls with adhesives?
- What is the difference between Studiofoam and bedding foam or "Brand-X" foam?
What’s different about a vocal booth / podcasting studio?
While the categories of rooms you find yourself in for vocal recording may vary, there are three common types:
- A small vocal booth exclusively used for recording.
- A larger space used for recording.
- A larger space that is only partially used for recording (an office, living room, bedroom) that cannot be completely treated.
Treat yourself!
Regardless of the height of your room, you’re going to want to absorb from sitting level to standing height throughout the space. Starting 30”-36” off the ground and treating to 6’6” – 7’ height will address immediate reflections off of the walls in your room at the height you record. If you have a wall directly in front of you, our DeskMAX Portable Treatment Panels will be of use.
Smaller spaces require a higher percentage of the walls to be covered for a controlled and professional recording. Our RLX app can help you get a quantity of product. The rest is straightforward application!
- Place Absorption Panels on the Walls. Start by treating the immediate recording area heavily with absorption. If the rest of the room allows it, we recommend spreading out and off-setting absorption on opposite walls, so that the treatment is not parallel. This helps reduce locational “slapback”, depending on where you stand within the room.
- Add ceiling treatment. Treat immediately above you, and any other recording member of the podcast, with a spread of acoustical panels (at least 4’x4’ if possible). After that, spreading further absorption out across the rest of the room’s ceiling can help control room noise and echoes.
- Consider your needs. Is there a long glass window that makes one wall untreatable? Consider extra absorption on the opposite wall. Are you in a corner? Bass traps along the corners absorb across the entire frequency spectrum and fit into vertical corners easily. Feel free to make necessary adjustments, so the room is aesthetically professional and comfortable to use.
Need some help or tips to get the best sound out of your room? Auralex can help! Questions?
Email help@auralex.com or give us a call: 1-800-959-3343
Comments
0 comments