VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Donovan · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject: My Home-Made Soundbooth

Hello all! I know I have been missing in action for a while now. I've been extremely busy with personal things: shopping for and buying a house, having new floors put in said house after closing, moving into said house and being on a plane to LA 2 days later, etc... Anyway, I'm getting back to normal. Sort of. Dan O'Day's summit was amazing and I made some great contacts! I've also had a fair amount of VO work recently (and auditions). The problem is... no more home studio!!! I had stuff lined up already and thankfully Brian Hart, the Great, let me use his studio a few times to audition (and then do the job after getting the gig). So Tuesday, I decided enough was enough! I got started planning for my custom booth.

I based my plan on the one posted here some time ago using the 3 closet doors. Once in the store, I noticed the doors were very light and hollow. I decided to look for something more substantial. I saw these huge boards of medium-density fiberboard for about $21 each. The 36" x 80" doors I was going to get were $23. Since I was going to use a corner, I only needed two doors/boards. Plus with the fiberboard, I was able to get them cut in the store to my desired size. I decided on 40" x 80". I also purchased a 3rd board to make the floor and ceiling of the booth. I then got a bunch of hardware (screws, handles, etc.) It was back home to the garage to lay the items out.

The two walls (one functioning as the door) and the floor board are pictured.

Some of the hardware is pictured here. I ended up getting another handle, more screws, brackets, carpet for the exterior and floor, adhesive...

This the bottom of the floor with supports made of 2x4 pieces left by a contractor.

Here's the floor upright.

Here the wall and the door are hinged. This took some trial and error (lots o' error), but I got it!

Here are the wall, door and floor arranged and taking shape.

That all happened on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday, I got the bright idea to carpet the booth. The carpet was only 49 cents a sq. ft., so what the heck! It looks great now and I'm happy with it... but it was a lot of work! Took almost all day.

All surfaces carpeted... took 2 and a half buckets that size of adhesive... good thing it's not expensive!

Here is the floor in the space in my office.

One wall mounted. It is attached to the wall with three brackets and it's screwed to the studio floor. (It is also supported later by the ceiling).

Here is the finished outer surface! Not too shabby... Bitchin

Here is a look inside. Foam, mic, etc. will be added later.

So there you have it. Literally blood, sweat and tears (sawdust in the eye from a strong breeze in the garage) went into the project. Most was done my yours truly, but I did have help from my wife and my nephew. I'll post more pics as it is "furnished" inside and connected to my computer.

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions...
_________________
Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

Will you be acoustically treating the inside?

And welcome back, bro!
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Donovan · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:04 am Post subject:

Yes, I will be. And great to be back!
_________________
Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

todd ellis · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:54 am Post subject:

looks great donovan ... welcome home!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:18 am Post subject:

Very very cool! Laugh

I've been thinking of doing something to get out of our walk-in closet, and what you've done looks like a great solution. What is the total cost of parts so far? Also, why does the floor not fit flush against the corner walls? Is that to help isolate it, to prevent sound from neighboring rooms from interfering?
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Donovan · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:39 am Post subject:

The floor... well I'd like to say I did that on purpose for isolation. Reality is... my measurements were off. (I didn't take into account how the hinges would spread the panels farther apart.) Plus, I later found that the corner of the room itself isn't a perfect 90 degree angle.

As far as cost, I'll have to tally my receipts. But I'm pretty sure it's about $250, not including the foam.

Thanks Todd!
_________________
Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

CarynClark · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

Hey there,

I was wondering what had happened to you!!!! Sounds like you were busy, but with all good and exciting stuff! Congrats on the new house!!!

I like your new booth too! Excellent!!!

Caryn
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

DaveChristi · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:48 am Post subject:

Very cool. Thanks for sharing and for the photos.
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Dave "Christi" Felton
The Character Voice Actor

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

the voice of cool has now got a house of cool and a booth of cool. big d, you could franchise!
seriously, congrats all around on everything and you know we've missed you!
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

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Lizden · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:29 am Post subject:

Hey Donovan!
Looks great! Laugh

Congrats on all the stuff in your life!
You deserve all the good that comes your way....actuially THAT goes for everyone on this Board! Smile

L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Bailey · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:09 am Post subject:

Donovan... Very economic construction. Did you allow for some means of ventilation in the plans?
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jrodriguez315 · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:09 am Post subject:

Hey Donovan,

Thanks for sharing that. It gives me ideas . . .
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Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog

bobsouer · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Donovan,

I'm delighted to see your handiwork via these photos. Very, very nice. I'm going to have to drive up there some time soon to visit you, Brian, Vance, Rowell, Willie, Bill and anyone else in the neighborhood. And while I'm there, check out the new booth of coolness.
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
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Donovan · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

To answer the question: No, I didn't really account for ventilation as a separate thing. I had considered it, and I'm sure it's possible, but it just wasn't a big factor for me. I used a walk-in closet for about 2 years with no ventilation. If it ever got too unbearable, which was very rare, I just opened the door for a couple of minutes and got back to work.

I really appreciate all of the welcome backs and well wishes. I truly felt bad about being away from this great board for so long, but life had it's own plans. My foam isn't going to be here for about a week, so I've put together a pretty thrown-together attempt at some treatment. Some leftover foam from the closet and a blanket nailed to the wall and door are my materials for now. I've got a job to record and a HUGE audition lined up Monday, so this will have to do for now. I have everything hooked up now, but haven't powered up and tested the mic and stuff yet. That will be left for tomorrow morning before driving to Asheville for a wedding. It just doesn't end...

Thanks again to all for your kind words regarding my labor of love.
_________________
Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

Lizden · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:51 am Post subject: