Building a Home Studio-Focus on Soundproofing and Acoustics

From http://www.voiceoverherald.com/focus-acoustics-soundproofing-building-home-studio/

It goes without question that in today’s competitive world of voiceover, you will need to invest in a home studio of some kind. Your home studio will be essential for auditions, practice, and paid projects as they flow in. However, the cost of equipping a home studio may vary anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on your individual needs.

When considering planning out your home recording studio, two important aspects must be addressed: soundproofing and acoustic room treatment. It’s quite obvious that your recordings should not have any sounds that do not belong such as traffic, barking dogs, noisy neighbors or a lawn mower passing by. Nonetheless, your recordings should not make you sound as if you are recording in a fish bowl either. Where do you start

Soundproofing vs. Acoustic Room Treatment

Before jumping into purchasing products, take time to learn the difference between acoustic room treatment and soundproofing. Acoustic room treatment for audio recording means that your microphone should only pick up your voice and not the echo bouncing around the room. Acoustic treatment is intended to create an “acoustically dead space”, but not necessarily a soundproof isolated space. External sounds will be minimized, but not completely eliminated. So, if the neighbor’s dog is barking, you might need to stop your recording temporarily.

 

VocalBoothToGo.com donated Producer’s Choice acoustic blankets to OSA so they could create a recording studio for U.S. soldiers and their families.

Soundproofing is expensive and complicated. A “soundproof” room will be completely isolated from all external sounds. Most soundproof studios are essentially a room within a room. If you are just starting-up in voice acting and don’t have a big budget, it may be easier to find a quiet spot or time where you can record without noisy interruptions. However, if you have constant external noise, such as living near busy and loud traffic, you will need to focus on soundproofing.

Acoustic Room Treatment Will Benefit Your Recordings

Even if you have properly soundproofed your space, you still need to treat the room acoustically. Creating an acoustically dead space is beneficial for your audio recordings and can be done relatively quickly using things like blankets, such as acoustic blankets. You can also invest in an acoustic vocal booth from sources such as VocalBoothToGo.com or build your own.

If you decide to go with the DYI project, you need to consider a few things. These items include room size and shape, building materials used to build the room, objects within the room/studio, position of the microphone, position of the source of sound, and other considerations.

Acoustic room treatment is a science, and the more research you conduct before designing a recording space, the happier you and your client will be with the end result — a professional clear recording every time.

Skype Interviews/Conference Calls Using a Portable Vocal Booth

Skype calling has become common because working remotely has become common. The Carry-on Vocal Booth Pro, a portable vocal booth, allows users to not only have an acoustically sound conversation or recording, without that annoying echo, but also plenty of privacy too. Now, not everyone will hear your business.

Voice Over Work on the Road is Possible But You Need the Right Equipment

You can be a road warrior this summer while voice acting! In fact, this field is so flexible that you don’t have to schedule vacations around your work — just take the right voice over equipment along with you.

Voice Actor Michael Johnston uses the Carry-on Vocal Booth Pro in a hotel room. He actually propped it on a luggage stand.

Today, voice actors and others in voice recording can easily take their audio recording gear, even a vocal booth, with them anywhere and continue to audition and work with clients — stress free. Traveling and working in the recording industry has gotten easier.

Key to Success

The key to successful audio recording while traveling is to make sure you take the right type of equipment with you. These things include a laptop, microphone and also a portable vocal booth – something that can be easily assembled and dissembled without needing tools. It is important to test these items before leaving your studio or home and also pack them carefully.

Some of the things you should consider when working on the road is to make sure you can obtain Internet access during intermediate stops or at the final destination. You may need to invest in an Air Card or Hot Spot in case some areas do not offer WiFi or Internet access.

Investing in the Right Equipment Will Save You Headaches Later

We’ve all done this before. Using the hotel comforter to create a soundproof or acoustic treated area for you to record. Normally, you cover you head and mic while recording but it is hot and can cause issues with you voice. These days are over. To get the best sound absorption and to create the best audio recordings, consider purchasing a portable vocal booth you can easily set up and use anywhere. The Carry-On Vocal Booth can easily be set up in seconds anywhere (even at the airport) plus serve as a convenient carrying case to store your gear. Also, the Carry-On Vocal Booth has 80% sound absorption.

Carry on Vocal Booth actually is a part of a bag that can fit other items for audio recording on-the-go.

 

With the right equipment, like a good portable vocal booth, voice over talent can virtually work anywhere. And, that means you can extend your vacation at the beach a little longer.