DIY Desktop Vocal Recording Booth - Converts to Acoustic Panels When Not in Use

[@fittgamertube]

i have seen many diy's for desktop vocal booths but yours was by far the most high quality one. you are a good teacher and video creator

[@UnchartedDIY]

Thanks so much, FittGamerTube! I try hard to make my videos instructive and entertaining at the same time. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to let me know you like it!

[@RobKristjansson]

As an up and coming VO artist, I am so happy I came across Steve's video, bought the plans, and built the booth! The first client recording I made in it not only got me a five star review, but the highest value VO order I've received to date! I don't want to lay it on too thick (you'll need to EQ out some of the "boxiness" that comes with recording in such a small space - an agressive narrow cut at 100Hz seemed to do the trick for me, on top of my usual corrective EQ) but if you've been working out of a barely treated space, or a blanket fort like I was, you'll notice a BIG difference! Great design, Steve - I can't wait for the next one! Rob

[@UnchartedDIY]

Thanks Rob! Your use case (and mine too) are perfect examples of why I designed this booth. It doesn't replace a large dedicated vocal booth, but it really improves the quality of voice overs and narration. I'm so happy to know it is helping you build your VO empire! Remember me when you become the next Don Lafontaine!

[@RobKristjansson]

@@UnchartedDIY Will do, brother!

[@VM-oi3dk]

I’m not too impressed with the sound. That might be mic placement or that you’re too close to the mic, but metrics on the hand clap are all I need to know. It should work well with my Sennheiser MKH 416. It’s worth a try.

[@UnchartedDIY]

My use of a cheap mic is probably a factor as well. Please let me know how it goes with a serious mic!

[@chuckgentry3613]

I have the plans, which are very good and detailed. I have yet to build the project. I am just curious about the ideal fabric choice for the bit that drapes behind. I wonder what might work well to provide some additional sound isolation without being too bulky, since it would be laying on your back. The lighter fabric would actually result in less rustling sound due to movement, so that option does have some merit.

[@UnchartedDIY]

I'm glad to hear you like the plans, Chuck. I have been experimenting with using a quilted moving blanket for the back drape and I think I like it even better than the felt. I haven't noticed any rustling from it, though it does get warm in there sometimes!

[@chuckgentry3613]

I think this design would work very well with a sit/stand desk.

[@UnchartedDIY]

@@chuckgentry3613 I totally agree! I don't have a desk like that, but I think it would work great. Please let me know if you do this and how you like it.

[@Kadehr]

Really great build? Is there any reason why the 2 side walls are not parallel?

[@UnchartedDIY]

That's a good question, Kadehr. If they were parallel, any sound waves bouncing off of one wall could reflect to the other, then back again and so on. The back and forth bouncing can increase the amount and volume of echos. Having them angled reduces that possibility.

[@Kadehr]

@@UnchartedDIY Ah nice, thanks! And how do we reduce the boxiness of the sound? I've noticed that with your booth we don't have the big bassy sound we got with the Isovox, for example. Did you EQ the audio samples? Or is there a trick?

[@UnchartedDIY]

I found most other booths to have boomy bass. I usually sweeten the audio for my other videos, but that one was straight out of the mic so people could hear the raw sound and judge for themselves if they like the sound. I think it's because of the combo of a stiff backing board, dense material for absorption and a layer of foam to diffuse the sound. The inexpensive mic be an advantage in this case, and might factor into it too. For now I can't justify a $3000 Neumann! That level of mic would probably not sound great in a desktop booth and would pick up any flaws. Then again, if I could justify a high end mic, I could also justify a high end booth! 😁

[@johnandtracimontgomery3683]

I had spent the last two weeks researching voice over boxes and I was, I kid you not, wondering if I could build one for placement over my desk. I was literally measuring my desk, with a tape, just before I clicked on your video. This appears to be a great option until I have the time and resources to build a booth in my basement. Now, I'm clicking on over to UncharredDIY to order the planes. Thanks!

[@UnchartedDIY]

You are welcome, John! That was great timing and I'm glad you found it! I too spent a huge amount of time researching, and when I couldn't find anything I decided to build one. The prototype was proof of concept, followed by the one in the video. Have fun building and using it!

[@JarrydRetribution]

Awesome build! Would love to try this for my home studio for loud vocals, but I'd also need it to get close to sound proofing levels as well. Wondering if I built a back wall and made some modifications to the design if that could be achieved. Was looking into buying the "Isovox 2", but the boxy and boomy qualities of recordings really put me off to it. This seems like a much more cost effective and possibly better acoustic alternative. Would be great to hear more recording tests of vocals inside and out at different volumes!

[@UnchartedDIY]

Thanks, Jarryd! I don't know how it would do with loud vocals. I've only used mine for voice overs, but it's made a huge difference in the quality of those. My mic is decent for close in, but I think it would sound pretty bad with loud volume at close proximity. I think it would be worth building one and trying it out. You could always modify it if it doesn't sound right, and at worst, you'd have some very effective acoustic panels for your recording space! If you decide to try it out, I'd love to know what you think of it, and maybe see some photos or even a video.

[@skyrunnerpictures]

Are you selling?

[@UnchartedDIY]

If you mean plans with all the details to make one of these, YES! $5 on UnchartedDIY.com/vocal-booth/ If you mean selling completed, pre-made ones, then unfortunately no. There would have to be a large demand for these for it reach a point where it would make sense to build a bunch at one time to make them cost effective to sell.

[@horrortimes3786]

Useless product...still capturing road vehicle sound .... better build small sound proof booth because curtains can't stop sound

[@UnchartedDIY]

As explained in the video it doesn't STOP sound - this booth is designed for acoustic treatment, deadening echo and reverberation, NOT soundproofing. Soundproofing is completely different, usually requiring a large and very expensive SOUNDPROOF booth (not just a vocal booth) or extensive modifications to the room itself. Those modifications include adding special insulation to the walls and ceiling, and typically multiple layers of drywall. In other words, soundproofing will cost a lot more than a $150 DIY solution. There are videos here on KZbin discussing the differences between ACOUSTIC TREATMENT and SOUNDPROOFING, and cover the details of the difficulty in actual soundproofing. While I'm not a soundproofing expert, I'll be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.

[@ragingpoop8658]

what material cuts off the lower frequencies?

[@UnchartedDIY]

The multiple layers of dense materials help absorb some of the lower frequencies found in the human voice. That said though, very low frequencies require massive amounts of material for true absorption, since bass wavelengths are measured in feet rather than inches. That's why in recording studios, the bass traps usually occupy a large amount of space. This vocal booth works by absorbing some of the frequencies, but mostly by diffusing the standing waves so the sound energy isn't bouncing all over and effectively amplifying it. Truly absorbing all the bass wouldn't be possible in a small vocal booth like my design, and it wouldn't work well for amplified instruments. I hope that helps, Steve