VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Bruce · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:21 am Post subject:

I'm not sure a totally "dead" room is bad for many applications. When Fox Animation was here in town (I worked on Anastasia) their 12'x12' audio booth was full of big foam pieces and baffles and you could feel the sound being sucked out of you when you talked. Behind the mic it was completely clean. You heard just your voice and nothing else. It felt odd but it worked for them.

I am still amazed at the national work I hear where you can hear all the bounce off of the hard surfaces and even the music stand coming through the mic. Some folks just don't care I guess. I also am amazed at movies, usually older ones, where they've replaced outdoor dialogue with something that's clearly been recorded inside.

B
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mcm · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:42 am Post subject:

Bruce, if they don't care about major faux pas like putting a North America bird in Europe, then it's no surprise they don't care about trivial details like sound quality Sticking out Tongue

Frank F · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:

In the 1950's and 1960's the recording studio scene was enamored with the absolute "dead sound". In the 70's many of the major recording studios began changing to a little more "live" room. In the 80's a moderately "live" room was deemed comfortable and sounded very nice.

Along came the 90's and the world started to re-think the concept of "dead" rooms raised it's ugly head again. Radio stations and recording studios were deadening their "booths", TV stations were trying hard to make a special dead-quiet area for their news people, etc. This is the advent of foam manufacturers marketing prowess and the advent of the "home" studio.

Think your room, think your microphone, think your microphone chain. I am currently using my trusty U-87 in a sound isolated room, with a fan working in the background and the door wide open during my recording sessions. Why, you may ask? Because it sounds as if there is "life" in my recordings.

Live a little and be open to change. Do you need "dead" sound? Do you require a "big room"? Whatever your needs and sound requires may be created IF you think the process of sound isolation.

"Open the door" to life. Begin your process by listening to the sounds surrounding your world. Record one hour of noise in your neighborhood with your microphone and processing chain. Play it back and listen to what is really picked up through the microphone. If you have lawn mowers and dogs barking which can be heard on your ambient recording, see how this might be changed by putting in a "GOBO" or some similar product, or changing the direction of the mic. THINK or as in my case, I had to THIMPK.

I know it not very feng sheui of me, but you really need to listen to make the right noise.

Good luck.

Toodles

Frank F
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Interesting. I always thought along the lines of "you can't be too rich or too thin (and a recording room can't be too dead)."

BenWils · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

I think what Doug is experiencing is the small sound of the booth....this can often times be a "boxey" kind of dead sound. I think this instance is a case of the walls being too close to the mic...even though there is foam to absorb. I bet there is that funky "I'm in a box" sound that is hard to get rid of...especially when you want to sound like you are somewhere else.

I have heard great things about GK Acoustics booths....just as an FYI.
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TC · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject:

KaraEdwards · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I was thinking of all the booths I've recorded in...some had ventilation that was too loud, and some did not. I may have to check with the 'quiet' studios and find out what brand they are!
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bobbinbeamo · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

My 4'x'4 x7' recently constructed booth has a nice sound to me, with Auralex foam on 3 walls, and just anti fatique matting on the floor. I have a window, but prefer to keep it covered with foam, and a computer monitor & shelves, that probably bounce a little sound around. It's tight but not too dead, and sounds clean, not small, (whatever I think that may mean) I have a stealth fan (baffled) but still turn it off while the mic is on. When I'm editing, I keep the door open. (all that hot air, ya know) Smile

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DougVox · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

First of all, thanks to everyone who responded for sharing your thoughts and experience. It's nice to know that I can always count on this group for help and support. I feel lucky to have found a corner of this industry where everyone is so generous with their expertise, and it's much appreciated.

Anyway,