VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Rob Ellis]

After Dan-O's recent post I was forced to re-consider coming out of the booth.

I once again had the occasion to record outside the booth, and while there are ambient noise issues, the overall sound quality just seems to be much more natural and "alive".

I have done all of the requisite sound proofing with OC 703 panels, etc. but the bottom line is that no matter what I do, that 4X4 just seems to suck the life out my voice. Which is a painful realization when you consider how much I paid for the $#@*** thing.

To move out into the room, which is roughly 16 X18 with plaster walls and not completely square and already has corner bass traps, I am assuming that this would involve:

installing a soundproof door and 2 soundproof windows
removing the roughly 120 sq ft of acoustic panels from the booth
and mounting them on the office walls.

But honestly the thought is overwhelming, so any advice is appreciated.

I just need to talk this out with some people who know and care, before I broach the subject with my wife

I may post some sound samples so you can hear what I think I'm hearing.

[Rob Ellis]

Here is a sound sample of the contrasting acoustics


http://WWW.ROBELLIS.INFO/images/Rob_Ellis_in_and_out_of_booth.mp3

[bobsouer]

Rob,

I can hear the difference (the first bit is in the booth and the second is out in the room, I'm guessing) but it doesn't sound to me like the "life is sucked out of your voice" in the booth part. But, take that with a large grain of salt since I am NOT a "golden ears" guy.
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[asnively]

My ears aren't golden either, but I really like the sound of that second take. But what's the banging sound? Are you bumping into the mic stand?
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[SkinnyJohnny]

[bobsouer]

[asnively]

Oh.
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[asnively]

(Why do I get random double posts now and then and why can I only see how to delete a post sometimes but not others?)
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[Rob Ellis]

Thank you for that clarification, Bob. Yes I went commando on both takes and did not use a pop screen.


So what do you guys (that means you too Amy) think?

Take 2 is out of the booth. Does it sound better? I know what I think but then again it is hard to be objective about these things.

And believe me, for simplicity's sake and from an economic perspective, I would rather the take recorded in the booth be the better sounding of the two.

[asnively]

I just listened inside my studio on cranked monitors and I like the first take way better. It's richer and fuller. Someone might tell you to add a little reflection someplace, but I think it sounds awesome!
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[Rob Ellis]

Thanks Amy. Just to clarify, in your earlier post you seemed to like the second take better. So you definitely like the first better?

Well based on the responses so far it would appear that maybe my booth sounds better than I have been giving it credit for.

But with so many divergent opinions on booths, I have been prone lately to questioning my acoustics, etc.

Plus I have a propensity to question and overanalyze EVERYTHING...ESPECIALLY the sound of my vo biz

[asnively]

Yes, the first take for sure. I think I liked the performance better on the second take and got confused Sorry!
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[SkinnyJohnny]

Right now, the booth sounds much better to me. Maybe if you isolated the room noise and did a good bit of treatment to the room, it might turn out better. But, I wouldn't change anything, unless you have the time and money to experiment with it.
Good luck!
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[Mike Sommer]

Yes B is better and is not that bad over all.

the booth adds resonance, but I don't think you can add much more acoustic material to it to get it any better.

As I say the bigger the room the better your over all sound will be. This room might have some problems, but it's large enough to be over looked for recording.

The big question is to understand how much ambient noise is in the room. Using an SPL Meter go around and find out and find out. Pictures always helps me understand what's going on. You may not need to do much at all, in regards of isolation.

I you like, contact me and let's see what's going on.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

[whalewtchr]

My choice would be the first take. The second was noisy and splattered. The first was tight and full. My two cents.
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