VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

PJHawke

I've read plenty about how people deal with recording space while travelling; whisper boxes, blanket/pillow forts in the hotel rooms, etc. What I'm wondering about is building a dedicated, sound-treated space in a van. I know there are a lot of challenges that would make such a studio a less than perfect recording space, but a lot of pros describe less than perfect conditions in their home studio as well.

So does anyone know of anyone who's built a really sound-tight space in a van or camper? I know some noises just can't be filtered out, but if "normal" outside ambient noise could be deadened, you'd have a traveling studio - a rolling whisper booth, as it were - that would theoretically give consistent sound no matter where you went, as opposed to a different makeshift solution at every session.

So: How quiet can a van be made? The Mobile Sound forums are all coming from the POV of stereo systems, so their focus is keeping Inside sound In, as opposed to keeping Outside sound Out. Does anyone here have some high-level experience with this?

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject:

Hi PJ,
You might want to talk to Jeff Laurence. He has a mobile camper that he built for voice over work on the road.
http://jefflaurence.com
Good Luck!!
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PJHawke · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:40 am Post subject:

I got in touch with him. Thanks Johnny!

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:43 am Post subject:

this van looks pretty quiet.

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DougVox · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject:

KIDS.

Enough shenanigans.
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georgethetech · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that's where you put the kids...
Anywho, building a space quiet enough in a van to record VO anywhere is VERY VERY challenging. Many have attempted, none that I know have been successful. There was a thing in LA called "Out of There" studios, but I can't find them online anymore. They claimed an STC rating of 60, which is pretty damn good. I can't find anything about the company that built the "StoryCorps" trailer for NPR, either.

Tony Rogers (super successful Promo voice) has a Sprinter van converted by FrontLine (news vans), but it's not at all sound-proofed enough to use near any roadways. It has a generator that you wouldn't dare use during a session, but does have a battery system to charge, and a rooftop AC unit that needs loads of amps. Oh, and satellite Internet Smile

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PJHawke · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:06 pm Post subject:

ricevoice · Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:18 pm Post subject:

In my experience of recording in rental cars, the nicer the car (more expensive) the better it is at keeping the outside noises to a minimum... luxury carmakers pride themselves on providing a quiet ride even at highway speeds, and that translates to a quieter recording environment when parked.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:25 am Post subject:

Karen Salters also converted a van into a rolling VO studio. As I recall, she chronicled her travels around the country in it when she first took it out on the road. I think she may now have stopped wandering and parked herself somewhere around Kittery, ME. You might be able to find her on Facebook.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:17 am Post subject:

The solution to the problem, as opposed to the answer to the question, is acoustically deaden the vehicle, record using an MKH416 and noise gate in post.

Better idea is to charge enough to hire a local pro studio, if available.

Or you could try simply being unavailable and enjoy the time away. Yes, I know

"STONE THE BLASPHEMER!"

Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:56 am Post subject:

The product they used for sound attenuation on several car restoration TV shows is Dynamat.
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sounddguy · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:29 pm Post subject:

You can see part of the StoryCorp trailer at
https://storycorps.org/blog/storycorps-ten-years-on-the-road/

A note about scheduling reminds you that the Heat Pump can only handle
+/- 20 degrees from the outside air temp.

heyguido · Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 7:12 am Post subject: