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PJHawke
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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 Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 1:53 pm Post subject: Mobile studio: How quiet can a van get? |
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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? |
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SkinnyJohnny
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Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 462
Location: Asheville, NC
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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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
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| I got in touch with him. Thanks Johnny! |
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todd ellis
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Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10491
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:43 am Post subject: |
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this van looks pretty quiet.
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DougVox
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 1705
Location: Miami
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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| todd ellis wrote: | this van looks pretty quiet.
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...except for the screaming.
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13016
Location: East Jesus, Maine
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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KIDS.
Enough shenanigans.
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georgethetech
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
Posts: 1877
Location: Topanga, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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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 
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PJHawke
Contributore Level V
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 160
Location: St. Louis
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | 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. |
I love a challenge. I contacted Jeff Laurence (as per SkinnyJohnny) and his response was as follows:
"Hey man..surprisingly a van can be pretty dead. I have a Ford Transit Connect and it is already pretty good. I found it just slightly boxy sounding and got Aurelex panels..cut them to the dimensions of the van's sides in the back. But mostly the noises outside have been the issue when I am parked at a rest stop or truck stop or something. For that I use a noise reduction program called "sound soap." Also another useful program I use is called "dialog" made by WaveArts. It has a compressor/limiter and an EQ
As for vehicle sound treatment..kind of depends on how "metallic" it's sounding to you."
So apparently he's relying on post processing, but only needs it when he's recording in a very noisy environment. Clearly, it would be impossible to block out tractor-trailer noises or airports or trains or heavy traffic, but I wouldn't have much better luck at home if that stuff were outside my house. How bombproof is a blanket fort in a hotel with noisy neighbors?
I know the "ring" in a metallic shell can be removed by bonding it with a layer of butyl rubber or truck-bed plastic like Monstaliner. Inner paneling treatment could be the same stuff as at home; Producers Choice/Audimute blankets or, if you've got cash out the wizwaz, Auralex. The walls themselves though... maybe a layer or two of MLV/Peacemaker for mass sandwiched in the insulation?
I've read posts from others who have recorded in their car, so clearly there's not a "vehicle curse" that precludes quiet. What's sauce for the car is sauce for the cargo box; where you're parked is probably the most important part of the equation. After that it's knowing what approach to take for the installation while being mindful of bulk and weight. |
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ricevoice
Cinquecento
Joined: 28 Dec 2007
Posts: 532
Location: Sacramento, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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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
A Zillion
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 6844
Location: West Hartford, CT
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:25 am Post subject: |
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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
Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11048
Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:17 am Post subject: |
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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!" |
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Lee Gordon
A Zillion
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 6844
Location: West Hartford, CT
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| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:56 am Post subject: |
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The product they used for sound attenuation on several car restoration TV shows is Dynamat.
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sounddguy
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 100
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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heyguido
MMD
Joined: 31 Aug 2011
Posts: 2507
Location: RDU, the Geek Capitol of the South
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| Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 7:12 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | A note about scheduling reminds you that the Heat Pump can only handle
+/- 20 degrees from the outside air temp. |
Yeah, it's hard to be smooth when you're shivering. 
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