Fixing the worlds worst vocal booth

[@wilsoncoffin907]

Mike, don't ever stop doing what you do. Your videos are gold.

[@AuraSight]

I might never be a Vocal Performer I might never need to make a Vocal Booth But this video taught me of the existence of Bongo-Ties, and for that my life has been forever improved Thanks Mike

[@petemusgrove7422]

Dude....you just took basic physics, common sense and some really (I mean really) cheap materials, avoided talk of bass traps and such and blew so many other videos out of the water. My hat, Sir, is off to you! Great work, very impressed. And thanks for explaining the benefit of the air gap above!

[@rzeka]

Holy shit, that worked way better than I thought it would. Nice!

[@janetpetersvoiceover6431]

I can't start my day without watching you and learning from you. You make me laugh every time ! Love you Booth Junkie!!

[@DuderdX]

This is a absolutely insane how much of a difference a couple acoustic panels can make!

[@colleenoffice4721]

you helped me so very much, Mike! I'm a voartist working from a motorhome and really needed a lightweight solution! TY!!!!

[@TheRamblingSoul]

I've done professional recordings in a studio before, but figuring out how to record at home is aggravating because I’m clueless about how to do proper sound treatment or know when or if there is a reverb problem. The difference here is amazingly clear! Thanks so much!!!!

[@Dr.UldenWascht]

Just wanted to drop a simple thank you, Mike. Watched your "isolation shield" review and I learned a lot; and then I went back and watched a couple more of your content. Thanks for everything man.

[@little_rr]

This was the exact video I needed. Thank you so much for making these for all of us out here much appreciated!

[@rachaelskye]

Bless you, dude. Your videos are so incredibly helpful and enjoyable to watch. I’ve looked at tons of other places online trying to educate myself on getting started in VO and I always come back to your channel. THANK YOU

[@thephotovideoshow]

Mike, you deserve way more subs, man! Just saying. I'm going to start telling more people about you whenever I do any kind of audio video on my channel!

[@antifitnesshipsterarmy8347]

True.. this guy rocks :-)

[@Brucelabvideos]

Mike, Just found this video from 5 years ago. OUTSTANDING! I love your presentations, even if I have no interest in the particular topic at hand, I could (and have) watch you for hours. That said (and WAY off topic) I would love to see you do a cooking show or how to change the oil in a 1997 Oldsmobile or fix a broken toilet or......... well, you get the point. Brilliant stuff mate, good on ya! Oh AND yeah, I just made four acoustic panels almost identical to what you did years ago and they are spot on clever.

[@chrisoglevoiceover]

I’ve watched you for years, including this video. I’m reorganizing my studio and this video came back up. Always good stuff. Thank you!

[@TDefHipHop]

I’ve been working on my music engineering a lot and there’s this weird boxy frequency I can never get rid of no matter how much EQ or editing I do!! I think this is *exactly* what I’ve been looking for!! Someone told me foam doesn’t do the trick for some reason and I believed it for so long 😅 Thank you for this great video!!

[@agn855]

Remember of trying this once, until the moment I‘ve pushed the water tab by mistake - right in the middle of the session. Priceless.

[@niteboatermusic]

haha great job once again in exploring all things VO related. This video does point out one important concept which is even after room treatment, the overall size of the room does matter, as we see here an ultra small room with treatment still can sound like a bit of tomb / or the interior of a submarine. We had the luxury for a short while of recording in a 7'x10' room, sounded incredible, makes it hard to go back to the standard booth for sure.

[@danbolivar3564]

Amazing that you can get a shower to sound better than many low-end sound-booths. :) Love your videos Mike!

[@pradobognot2452]

Thank you for this incredible demonstration on how much difference the sounds would be using acoustic panels! This is very useful especially to someone like me who just started creating a YT channel that needs a lot of VOs. :)

[@markela18]

I cant thank you enough! I live in a small studio with one other person and there is always noise from the actual appartmet (heater, bad plumbing etc). I want to start VO and the only place I have available is my glass shower. I wanted a way to make that into a booth but thought it was impossible. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

[@caloss2]

I must have shared/linked this one video a hundred times to people asking me about how to improve the audio recording. Thanks as always Mike.

[@Tysto]

If you have a walk-in closet, you can hang acoustic panels like these on the walls behind the clothes, and the clothes will help dampen reflections. Walk-in closets are usually away from noisy areas and have no windows to let in outdoor noise. Put a panel on the back of the door or even just a hanging shoe caddie. In addition to making these panels, you can get quilted moving blankets really cheaply and hang them from spring clip hooks.

[@SRSLYTRIPPIN]

Hey man I’ve decided to make my kitchen pantry a vocal booth. I completely cleaned it out and started putting the foam in. I’m not even 1/3 done and it’s already sounding so much better. I also just bought a new solid door with a window in it and once I install it I’m sure it will help because the door on it now is very cheap and hallow

[@MrSAP1988]

Simple but so creative at the same time Mike.

[@coolchib15]

I think this is one of the most impressive videos I've ever seen. Awesome job man!

[@lFireFlyFoxl]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MIKE!!!!

[@regor8274]

I thought you sounded better!! Nice reverb. that stuff is good though. I bought a 39' roll of the mineral wool at Menard's and covered it with painter's canvas drop cloth. Works great! 2x6' panels.

[@rawstarmusic]

Amazing, I was surprised. Not only that simple glassfiber did it but notice -on one side only! Awesome.

[@kamaharima3701]

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY HOW THAT MADE THAT MUCH OF DIFFERENCE!!!!

[@carljenkins7354]

I thought it was very interesting that you only needed pad on the one side of the shower. I suppose the back side of the cardioid pattern was against the untreated wall. My space is in the bedroom, an odd little alcove on one side. But unlike most bedrooms mine is more like a shower. Floor is hardwood over slab. Walls are simple sheet rock. Imagine a 2 car garage conversion because that's what it is. The possibility that I could put panels on 2 sides of a corner and 1 hanging from the ceiling and have a 90% solution is fantastic. Thanks so much, Mike. I may make a video response and link you my space. Keep up the excellent work.

[@ThickFreedom]

How do the DIY panels stack up against the acoustic foam you can buy? I looked into this and it would cost about the same amount to make it myself verses using the premade stuff. I can speak for the premade stuff because I have it and it does work pretty well.

[@BoothJunkie]

Personally, I think if you can get 4' foam, go for it. Most of the stuff I see is this eggcrate stuff that's too think to knock down bass.

[@ThickFreedom]

I missed your response, thanks for getting back to me. I do think the panels look pretty aesthetic. Keep uploading bro you're on a roll, I've noticed your views have gone up a fair bit.

[@kevinlong4657]

Applegate cotton bats are great too . Cotton is so much nicer to work with than fiberglass.

[@larryvaughn5843]

I read somewhere that multiple layers of cotton towels also work. And if you leave some space between the wall and the towels they work better.

[@MeanOldMatt]

I really appreciate these videos you make! As a college student getting into voiceover you've got some great tips. Please keep up the great content

[@lagstorm1]

Luca is barking at the mailman. What am I gonna do... LMAO

[@jeffreytobin4424]

Mike, you are awesome. Your videos are entertaining, personable and highly educational. Plus, you have a dog. :) I'm building a cheap booth for my podcast. I'm putting it in a finished basement room, in a corner that's drywall. I plan to hang a couple of thick cargo blankets to make the other two "walls." My question is this: what percentage of the drywall should I cover with the Owens Corning 703? I worry about all the talk about making a room that's too dead. Should I leave some of the drywall uncovered? What say, ye, oh Master of the Great Formidable Acousticness?

[@Architectureguy]

I love the shower! It's hard to find craftsmanship like that today! I found your videos just yesterday (07/08/21) and I really have enjoyed them! So that booth would pass for a, say, podcast recording? Would putting blankets on the opposite wall improve it significantly or that isn't really needed? I'd love to do voiceover work, but I'm just trying to get a podcast started for now. Thanks again!

[@hjd9157]

Very useful video!😃 I was surprised as to how much the panels improved the sound. Thanks for sharing!😃

[@mustardseedvoiceover]

Thank you for this video! I’m just getting into VO and this helped me to hear the clear difference. Any tips/videos on how to prepare levels before recording?

[@MikeAndersonvinyloldies]

1:29. I thought he was gonna say "I need my bong..."

[@TechLineHD]

another awesome video!

[@TuSheaProductions]

Thank you so much Mike! You are AWESOME!!!!! BLESS YOU BROTHER!

[@ayyubdiaz629]

I've recorded in many awful locations like basements with bad foundations with stone walls and loud furnaces kitchens closets bedrooms cars court houses industrial building basements abandoned supermarkets but they way you set up each location Ive done almost exactly the same but with minor differences. Ive gotten many great mixes from studio life hacks nothing never looked pretty but the sound sounded great. I love life hacking studios

[@Sir-IKON]

i cheap fabric option is actually a roll of weed fabric in your lawn n garden section at walmart. it is almost same as speaker fabric and is lightweight and breathable(very important)

[@EibhlinBray]

You are amazing Mike!!!! So grateful for your wisdom as Im a rookie. Thank you so much!

[@blake2697]

Its really weird because when I see you in the shower I expect terrible audio quality, so when it sounds good it makes my brain think it was dubbed in post. Nice one.

[@PedroTorresFilho]

I had to give you a thumbs up 'cause its an unique honest original easy fum video, and have a good purpose altought on it. Cheers from Brasil.

[@bubblepuffs]

Oh my stars how have I not thought of this. Genius!

[@MoroFullmetal]

Your audio is so beautifully clean it is making me cry. I am so excited to try this.

[@limroto]

Pff - fixing the shower. hehe - that can't (9:19) OH DAMN! Excellent video, Mike! Great to see the performance of your panels. Try to shout in there with the panels, please.

[@EmoEmu]

How would some foam mattresses perform? Was thinking about buying a few of those and putting them on the walls. I'm trying to sound proof a small office space for better accoustics. I'll be these long work days, so thinking dust from fiber glass might turn into an issue.

[@braydensvocorner5284]

The Emo Emu I would say it would work well until you can afford to upgrade to the real stuff. I was able to achieve what I consider a good recording space by just using bed foam, pillows, and blankets in a empty closet in my room. I have a Cad E100s mic test on my channel if you want to hear the sort of quality you can expect. Hope that was helpful!

[@EmoEmu]

Very nice info. :) How would sheets of polystyrene rate? I know it has some sound cancelling properties, but perhaps they don't do anything for wave-absorbtion and the waves still reflect? Those are dirt cheap and a clean white, but I'm not sure if they'd work at all.

[@braydensvocorner5284]

From what I have read it does have some sound proofing properties, but I don't think you are looking for sound proofing material, I think you're looking for sound absorbing material to stop any echo/reverb. So I would say to stick with foam, but like you said, they are dirt cheap so it wouldn't be too much skin off your back to give it a try.

[@S.T.G.]

Oh no, for sound absorption you need material that is porous like open cell foam (or the fiber glass or rock wool etc.) because the sound is absorbed due to the friction as it travels through the small interstices of the foam structure from one side of the panel to the other. Friction converts the sound energy into heat.

[@RomanCastroVlog]

Awesome video! It sounds so much better.

[@SyeedAli]

Your 1" don't have backings, and you worry about dust...

[@rock962000]

New subscriber here (as of yesterday) :-) Loving your content. Been going through your videos quite a bit and they are very detailed yet concise! I also notice from your older videos that you've lost a good amount of weight. Grats for that!

[@timgillam4199]

Your voice sounds different then when you're in those Hangover movies hahaha. Sorry, I had to! Great videos! Very educational and effectively demonstrated! Hitting the subscribe button!

[@mytchel]

Wow... I really wasn't expecting that kind of result haha awesome.

[@highlander200107]

Amazing video, a game changer for sure

[@foursevnnn]

B O N G O T I E S

[@gex5541]

* Y O U N E E D B O N G O T I E S*

[@FourJaysFour]

Sheldon plays bongos!!

[@renzr55]

Hello, Mike. Fellow junkie, here. I would like to share some words of appreciation for everything shared through this platform. All the insights are helpful and encouraging. Thank you. I really enjoyed the video on your desk setup. Now, I just realized that I've spent years consuming your content without formally subscribing. Thanks to the algorithm, I receive notifications and suggestions al the time. But let me say, all that is corrected. I'm subscriber. I have one request. Have you done a video your of your studio rack like the one you did on your desk area? If so, please share a link. If not, would you be able to tour us through it? Thanks and God bless.

[@SparkY0]

I have a limited number of rock wool panels. Is it more important to break up the standing waves at the speaker, or at the microphone? I have a weird space and I need a little distance from the mic

[@GalaxyNexus1]

This is a great tip for those of us with small, not great spaces for recording and this is a great solution for recording an audition or recording something you will submit, but something like this would not work for a live session, correct? Like say if you're doing something via Source Connect for an extended period of time...you wouldn't you need easy access to your computer?

[@hadarahbatyah]

Sounds totally different :) great job! The Owens Corning you linked is out of stock tho ... Do you have other suggestions?

[@brodievoices4709]

Awesome stuff as usual!

[@See_you_next_timee]

Brilliant vid man. Im not an easy to subscribe dude but your vids are class lad. Keep the brilliant work up. Thanks.

[@DocX1000]

I'm concerned about making sound proof paneling out of something you generally shouldn't breathe. I realize the fabric makes it safer, but how long before a tear or rip in that fabric makes it dangerous in a closet type recording space and is there any other alternative sound proof material?

[@ismasreign]

You could use Rockwool Safe n’ Sound, or that shredded up denim material that is somewhat similar to rockwool insulation

[@ComicBookPage]

Another great video. My main problem is road noise coming in through a nearby window. Any suggestions on what to do to sound proof a window?

[@alexjames5290]

Great videos man keep up the good work

[@TruthIsNot4Sale]

What about rubber yoga mats , would that help cut exterior noise and reflections?

[@roland1313]

BRILLIANT

[@connorwolf5816]

This is actually brilliant, thank you!!!!

[@maricristinacastel]

I love this!!! Thanks

[@ErnestoAvilez92]

I have a bathtub shower in my bathroom with a high ceiling, but luckily there are no tiles at all other than the floor in the bathroom, so i wonder how it will sound.

[@krizzkaliko3936]

Hey Mike I’m new VO artist but been a successful professional underground rapper/singer for 18 years. Love love your videos and want to know 1. What your vocal chain is? I have a Korby Mic and a Focusrite Red7 Pre amp. Haven’t hooked it up yet and want to know 2. What you think the best recording software is for doing VO work? Adobe, GarageBand, Protools? Thx

[@josnooy6844]

Great video. Thanks Mike. Would another panel to your left make any difference?

[@jamiegoodson950]

Best video I've seen ever.Great info Thank you

[@Inrezairo]

Really great video, I'm definitely going to be sharing this with the groups I'm in and may need to try out this treatment for myself :-D

[@goodriddance1998]

Amazed. Should I make my booth in a small space like my shower, or in a big space like my living room?

[@RickySweum]

Brilliant ideas for portable boothing

[@JuliuszCovers]

Wow, that worked great! But does anyone know why there's such a difference between the quality of sound right at the beginning (for example 1:50) and that before the installation of the panels (around 7:20)? Is it not recorded with the Neumann, but some camera mic at the beginning?

[@johnconnors6463]

Yeah, I noticed that myself and that's the best explanation I can think of.

[@FireAndFoodCompany]

Step 1: Turn off water valve

[@wenjacklow]

Awesome video! Fun and educational.

[@lilfrosty6024]

just getting to music your vids help alot thnx bro

[@rawstarmusic]

Supergreat. Make one video on how to make it quiet to the neighbours. Really quiet.

[@dionisiogdrb]

Your videos are all over my reccomended Pump it up

[@stav524]

Would it work the same if i put a carpet to the wall? I dont got money to buy these things or even make them in my own. But i got a carpet that i dont need. Would it work as good as these?

[@darkflamesquirrel]

Do those panels build up mold over time? Should I periodically replace them? Assuming I am using them in my own bedroom.

[@JvleelGone]

No they do not

[@AndriesMulti]

Cool, however a good microphone (direction sensitive) and a simple compressor limiter do the same in every room without any sound panelling.

[@lifesogood3809]

AMAZING !!! THANKS FOR MAKING THE VIDEO

[@blazingdan]

Which is more effective, these 703 DIY panels or Acoustic Sound Blankets from a place like Vocal Booth To Go (not merely moving blankets)? Thank you.

[@modiste3399]

What is your opinion if I just bought memory foam mattress cover like a 2 inch/4 inch thickness and wrapped the shower with it?

[@franklinblankenship8991]

I have dozens of cardboard (more like paper mache') gross count egg cartons that are 12"x12"..would these help in any way?

[@prodbyamrit]

You're incredible!

[@guibaldi]

Hey Mike! Can you give some tips for a home podcast setup?

[@BoothJunkie]

I can try. What sort of info are you looking for?

[@guibaldi]

Most podcasts are made in home, with low budget equipment, and using the computer for record. AND no sound treatment. So maybe some comparison with usb microphones, or condenser vs dinamic on a non soundproof room.

[@guibaldi]

And personally I'll love to know if a SM7B (witch I have) can, maybe, work with a Xenyx Q802USB. =P Because I'm having a little trouble with hiss when I put that ton of gain to SM7B work properly. I know the xenyx is a entrance line of mixers, but here in Brazil isn't cheap.

[@ashwanithakur9831]

This was a great advice. You are my online Guru :) I have a question : I live in an apartment with a little bit of background noise. I every time use audacity to remove bg noise. Is there a temporary way to sound proof my room or closest. Thanks in advance...

[@ArsyadKamili]

That Neumann thing in plain shower is already better than my ears tho..

[@pylofm]

Could you revisit this? 6 years later with all extra knowledge gained these past year's.😊

[@wrobeleryk]

Maybe a movie with info how to build a semi pro booth? :)

[@Anime-nl9mr]

Hey dude, I want an isobooth, cheap, so I won't worry for any outside sound, please. Or my computer at least! Thanks!

[@FrankieHustla]

Genius.

[@radzio00012]

Awesome video!