VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Kristin Lennox]

Well, only in the sound sense.

Here's my situation: I have an amazing, custom-built booth that sounds great and keeps out a buttload of sound (including workers walking around on my roof and random buzzy lawn implements). The only sound that rumbles through is when the local Red Baron decides to buzz my house from the nearby small airport... but that is rare, and brief, and I've actually only had it happen once in a session.

So I'm extremely happy with my set-up... except during a heavy rainstorm. The booth blocks out all the sound up to a point, but if it's really pouring hard, I can faintly hear it, so I'm sure a remote engineer could hear it, too. And even though if you don't like the weather here, you can just wait fifteen minutes and it will change, directors don't have fifteen minutes to wait.

What I discovered tonight (during a rainstorm) is that the sound is mainly coming through the door. It's sealed tightly, but apparently not as thick as the rest of the walls.

So I thought I could get a moving blanket to hang from a rod above the door, and possibly apply velcro around it, so I can seal it around the door when I'm in there...? Does this sound like a plausible solution to my leaky door? And if so, what kind of blanket/panel should I get?

Thanks in advance to all my tech-savvy peeps!
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Always look on the bright side of life.

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[todd ellis]

here's something a lot people never think about.

under your interior door trim, many times, there is no sheetrock - only nailers spaced to secure the door to the wall - leaving large gaps of --- nothing. you might think about pulling the trim & checking that out - then use caulk or expanding foam to seal that gap & replace the trim.

moving blanket sounds like it would do the trick too.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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[Bruce]

I’m thinking a quilt or a moving blanket hung over the door would be a good temporary sound block. For a permanent solution I’d consider making a custom blanket of something dense like shredded denim insulation that covers much of the door and attaching it at several spots. You want to keep the door from passing those low frequency vibrations into the booth.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Kristin Lennox]

Interesting, Todd... I'll definitely check that!

Bruce: I think I want to stay with a "temporary" fix, because I really do like my sound, and don't want to change it permanently -- just have an extra cushion to add, if it starts pouring before a session.

So if I go the moving blanket route, will any old blanket do? Or do I need an Audimute brand one, or something specifically geared towards VO? In my head, I envision hanging it on a rod that I can put up and take down easily if I need to, over the door...
_________________
Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

my website

[Bruce]

Density counts so I’d go for a $15 moving blanket over a $5 one. Same idea with a using a thicker quilt or bedroom blanket.


B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Lee Gordon]

[Kristin Lennox]

[quote="Lee Gordon"]

[todd ellis]

[georgethetech]

Unless your door is as thick/heavy as the adjacent walls, well, there's your problem. Blankets/fabric/insulation ain't gonna do it...
Time for a door upgrade.
Consider some of these products.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

[Kristin Lennox]

Thanks, George! I think the actual door isn't the problem, now -- it seems to be the same thickness/material as the walls. I think it's just the seal around it...?

It's not a huge problem, not big enough to warrant a new door. Just something I want to tinker with to see if there's a DIY solution that helps.
_________________
Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

my website

[ballenberg]

Hey Kristin,

Also this: are you sure the far end studio actually does hear/record this sound?
Since it's intermittent and faint, there's a good chance the only one noticing it is you . I'm always surprised by what isn't heard . Other option is downward expander...works like a charm.

[Kristin Lennox]