How To Make A Bedroom Home Studio Sound Great With NO Money!

[@emilguldmann6816]

Ah, so my room is not messy, it's just acoustically treated!

[@photony]

🤣Same here!

[@MuffinMachine]

yeah i’m suddenly realizing why i never worried about this as a teenager in a bedroom surrounded by a total mess. as an adult with a clean apartment this became a problem. great advice sir, thank you.

[@PresentDayProduction]

A great excuse not to tidy up! I didn’t actually think of it like that, but you’re right!

[@simongore29]

There is a hell of a lot of crap on KZbin regarding acoustics and room design. This is an exception. Although I have been involved with several builds/designs of studios and venues, I seem to pick up something new from every PresentDayProduction video I watch. This is genuinely the best channel on KZbin for practical information and honest advice on building a good control room. Thank you. Mark - what advice would you give for open plan room design?

[@PrinceWesterburg]

My late mother was a singer so I used her old towels and duvet wrapped in white Draylon (synthetic crushed velvet) in my vocal booth and it works beautifully! I'm glad, its a nice tribute to mum :o)

[@drewphillips3730]

Instead of making wooed frames with all the trouble and work with saws guns sanders screws brackets and glue etc., I went to my local DIY store and bought 6 flatpack cardboard packing boxes. Once home all that is needed is to cut of the top and bottom flaps off with a stanley knife Then i drew a line all the way round the four sides then cut round this line giving me two boxes 6ins thick.I then filled them with a wool like insulation and simply tied them together with a thin cord. Job done. Cover them if you like i didnt and just stacked then around my room, never sounded better.

[@ToddSauve]

I love your helper, the cat. I can tell he's fascinated by work--he can watch it all day long!

[@ts4gv]

On top of having great content, this channel has a truly unique type of wackiness. Fascinating stuff.

[@LFOVCF]

I recorded the ticking of a metronome and looked at the wave to see the reverb tail in my untreated room. I was shocked to see the amount of Reverberation on the wave of the tick. I remembered that my wife chose some curtains for a patio door that she did not end up using them, so I made a false curtain on the entire back wall and that alone made a huge difference

[@okay1904]

Dear Mark, what camera did you such an injustice with the sun behind you? Love your channel. Brutally honest, and with a few exceptions I agree with your conclusions. Comment applies not just to this video but to many other videos also, . The towel idea is brilliant., it shocked me cos I've been using a similar idea, without the wood panels, using only towels, but never dared to mention this to anyone, for fear of them thinking I was stupid. But it worked for me - been using this for about 4 years, and what a relief to hear the effectiveness in your own spare bedroom. Brilliant - one of the best videos on audio I have ever watched. Fantastic - real world - no BS advice. Well done.

[@PresentDayProduction]

Thanks for the comment! iPhone camera for that one I think... we’re using a Black Magic 6K for everything after the Pultec video 👍

[@Moka8]

I use heavy moving blankets that I can get for $10 a piece at a local hardware store on the walls of my live room and it does great for cutting down reflections.

[@rinaldo8754]

5:24 That cat did an excellent job of keeping a close eye on whether everything was done correctly. 😄 Thanks by the way for making this video. It's very inspiring. I'm moving soon and I must soundproof the new room a lot, but on a budget, and you gave me some great ideas.

[@WillisZzz]

Wow, I know from experience what a challenge a small cube room is to treat. I can't believe how much better that sounds. Towels instead of rockwool? Just wow.

[@laurencebaxter3212]

Thanks for this fantastic video! I’m just setting up my home studio mix room properly and purchased a prime acoustics room panel kit and it’s been sitting in the box for two weeks. I’ve been going down rabbit holes and getting totally confused with where to start and place things. This video was very helpful at identifying the critical areas and cheap and effective ways to treat the room.

[@lance134679]

Still very relevant over a year later. Thanks.

[@ExpatZ266]

Love the cat watching you build frames, so entertained by your work. Awesome vid, picked up some tricks on going cheap which is always really nice.

[@Beatledave7]

Extremely well done...unbelievable difference!

[@AndyVonal]

Thanks PDP! I have been meaning to do something about my square bedroom studio for ages...and never got around to it. This has given me the inspiration I needed. I hated the thought of spending money on accoustic treatment but you have shown me that it's possible to achieve freat result for minimum outlay. Fantastic!

[@TheRealXira]

I'm currently stripping all the heavy stuffing out from a futon mattress i'v had laying about for years. Extremely dense fibers, and you can find them second hand on FB marketplace/Gumtree etc usually for £10 or so. If you're lucky, free to collect. I plan to use the material in acoustic panels.

[@MadMaxBLD]

I have a feeling that we'll all be grateful that the pandemic happened because it brought us this quality channel, which actually helps probably 80% of musicians making their music at home and in project studios. Great stuff!

[@TheToobNube]

The creativity and simplicity is genius. And just plain fun!! It’s given SO MANY cool ideas for what I can do with my room and genuinely excited for the first time about room treatment (or room improvement rather!)

[@billesposito2112]

You're killing me with the handsaw . Carpenter for 38 years . I think I would have used 1x4 pine or 31/2 strips of decent stable plywood . 2x4s have a mind of their own especially after a period of time . And heavy. But room sounds great now.

[@garrettendi]

Thanks for this great video! For my studio space, when recording, I plan to move my mattress onto the back wall, put some jumpers and clothes in the corners and hang up a thick duvet on the last untreated wall. My question for you is: What is the best way to temporarily hang a duvet up on the wall? I have two mic stands, one large and one about half size, and permanently installing hooks or something to the wall is out of the question as we're putting our home on the market very soon (my new home will have a treated dedicated studio hopefully!). Additional: I mix on headphones almost exclusively as I cannot afford monitors at this stage, so it's only when recording that I need treatment! Although now I think about it, I will probably use my iMac speakers for reference points.

[@bobbler42]

7:50 nice variation on the classic “KZbin background iMac flex”; the disused Mac as prop for stuff.

[@DjDontStop]

Great little vid Mark. There will be a few critics but they are not seeing the great point you are making which is you can have basic and almost free acoustic treatment done to your space without the need for forking out a shed load of money! Will be great for home DJ's and Producers who haven't got the money to spend. New subscriber on board. Will check out your mastering service too. Cheers

[@rsherid]

Wow Mark, it sounds like a completely different room! I’m about to move into a rectangular room (apartment) with concrete walls/ceiling, carpet on floor and big loft style window behind my desk. Hoping I can treat it with your tips!

[@PresentDayProduction]

Hey Ryan, yeah it sounds generally great now - a few issues in the low end, but that’s to be expected in a square room, and bumps are mainly in the corners and dips are in the middle, so behind the listening position. Try and get your speakers firing down the long end of the room when you move, and try to get your listening position about a third or two thirds down. Avoid the middle. Let us know how you get on!

[@MrStevem121]

Very nice advice and proves that it is possible to improvise a solution for free. Cheers

[@officialsimonharris]

pillowcases stuffed with rockwool then sealed with duck tape can be put in various places

[@DIFY]

Heck yeah, I have lots of rock wool just laying arround on my loft 😁💪💪

[@jmb5706]

@@DIFY Where do I find bulk rock wool?

[@danbag0815]

Can you believe that my absorbers filled with towels and foam from an old couch sounded better, than now with rockwool?? I was a quitw dissapointed of the result. I couldn't messure it, but the treated area was subjectively very dry an well balanced (nearly no thump while talk, like the air was thinner in thaz spot) compared to the rest of the room. It was magical. 😃 rockwool does his job, but this complete dry effect is gone.. 😔 is this possible, or do my ears trick me ? Btw, your video inspired me to built my first absorbers .. it was a game changer!! Thanks a lot 💚

[@petegreenfield8366]

Great video. Loved the scene where the cat was supervising as well!

[@theflyhunters207]

That's the channel I've been seeking for a long long time! Great job, guy! Thanks ❤

[@limbophonic1]

i used towels a couple of years ago in my studio, i didn't even bother with frame, i just put up a couple of towel racks and draped about five towels over each of the racks, plus i got an air gap behind the towels.

[@LetMeDieLord]

That's so cool!!!

[@zachary963]

How well did it work???

[@limbophonic1]

@@zachary963 I put the towel racks at the reflection points of the room, I also made a couple of rockwool corner panels, but ran out of rockwool, so I used the towels, I think they work quite well, better than nothing . Thanks for great content.

[@nkenchington6575]

Really appreciate this.

[@phrankus2009]

Wooden pallets and stacked, plastic milk crates, stuffed with clothing and linens (salvaged from the waste stream of thrift stores and donation centers) ... GOOD books, for free, from the waste stream of half-priced book re-sellers.

[@Audiojunkabus]

wow, what a great thumbnail.. so original!

[@donartyone3258]

Very inspiring. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing. Time to go get some wood, fabric and the densest towels I can find 🍻

[@rafaelbassvieira]

Great video! People spend too much time doing reviews of gear (nothing against it, I watch quite some of them) but not enough of "How to" and DIY videos of acoustics! Most people, me included, have a crappy room that they have to work with sometimes, this is great content for all of us. Cheers!

[@berndkiltz]

All your Videos are just awesome! Keep it up please :)

[@stupendousmusic4190]

BRILLIANT! I'm about to do something similar myself. Thanks!

[@simplifiedsound5255]

Man that's a different room to my ears! Great work!

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Best Rockwool cutter? An electric carving knife, from any thrift shop, or any charity shop. Soft up front with your speakers, middle of the side walls, not of soft, and the wall behind you, acoustic wooden dispensers.

[@sourcefor]

Sounds great quite an improvement!

[@Marcin79W]

3:23 made my day :) "I've found some wood, I've got a saw and I have a massively overexposed head, but who cares..." Thank you for the video !

[@andie2themost]

Thanks for the great simple tips.

[@GrantStinnett]

Just came across a couple of your videos and quite enjoying your content. Cheers from a fellow music maker.

[@rmyikzelf5604]

When redoing my home "studio" I got exactly that same IKEA desk! But in black :-)

[@fideldiazmusic]

great work men! have a great day! I used paint frames with stuff inside and a big curtain and a sofa, that worked out for the moment :)

[@zacgrubble9824]

Fantastic video! Well done and fun to watch and listen too! Thanks

[@didcomusic]

Thanks so much for all smart advices 😀

[@marin4311]

Very usable information on this channel.

[@PresentDayProduction]

Thanks Marin!

[@pjsnijdersmusic]

With a mixer like that, nothing can go wrong 😁

[@paulwelding]

Brilliant, I’m just about to try and tame my square room too!

[@Alphabeter]

The thumbnail is so goddamn hilarious 😂

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Immediate thumbs up for the dedication to social distancing. Nice DIY skills too!

[@Viananalida]

Nice video! 😁

[@danbuffington75]

It sounds like you switched to a lav mic for the "after" portion of the video.

[@liltrboofficial4671]

Thank you so much I really appreciate this video I am new to your channel I have all of my equipment I need for a home studio now I just need to properly treat my room I’m eventually going to get better monitors studio monitors

[@josephvotta6698]

Great Video! What type console/mixer is that ? Is it audio AND video? Thanks!

[@peterbrandt7911]

You forgot the Yeti, imagine what difference this would have made as well.

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

I love the production of the video. Liked and subscribed. I don't think my wife would be very pleased, however, if I were to stack bags of compost in the back bedroom and put a mattress up against the wall.

[@GrenOulio]

Nice work. What’s your desk there?

[@jonathanwise8944]

Thank you for this I’ve been struggling for so long

[@DocBolus]

Quality video really useful for bedroom producers.

[@natelivingston5528]

Love these guys. Keep doing what you’re doing I’ll share some videos for you.

[@PresentDayProduction]

Thank you very much Nate!

[@SteveMingsFlutemaker]

I'm in a rental house, I like this idea, though I would probably have to just lean the panels, because I would not be able to drill holes or any thing, though I have acoustic foam and used belcro and command strips. they hold a little but I need some thing better because they tend to fall off at times.

[@leemski]

Awesome tips! That unmask a bit a room treatment, from headache to nice solutions :) BTW what are those white speakers there? Thanks

[@PresentDayProduction]

They’re LD Systems Dave 8 XS

[@leemski]

@@PresentDayProduction Thanks a lot for the reference, looks nice, wonder how they sound.

[@datarecoverysweden]

Thanks Mark. Great content.

[@Dobrovinskiy]

Really nice results!

[@yashkummar]

I got my box room to treat. Thanks for your tip.

[@EppingMusicSchool]

Great video and nice to see the subs growing on this great channel 😀😀😀

[@H-4-D3423]

My main room is just 8FT deep, my triangle would but put the centre triangle seat somewhere near halfway out. With the wall in front being the life end, and the wall behind being the dead end, would I need lots of material than can absorb sounds, as surely they'll all bounce back after only travelling 8 feet, that won't be ideal.

[@JuusoHoo]

great vision for improving a room!

[@perrypelican9476]

Bath towels are good. If you layer them then they could be better than some stuff sold as acoustic treatment. If the walks are brick then no use trying to change the shape but if the walls are wooden studs covered with the usual plaster sheets then you could make the walls to be grooved/rippled/wavy. Flat walls are NOT ideal

[@zachary963]

The room I do my dayjob in used to actually sound pretty good. I just had bookshelves and stuff up. Then I moved a lot of that stuff out, and now it sounds like crap...

[@MattG1027]

Cool video, but kind of lost me on the first reflections bit. If your friend is walking along the side wall away from the speakers (behind you if you’re facing the speakers), how do you see when the speakers are in the mirror? Or should you turn to follow them/the mirror? Sorry if this is a really dumb question 😄

[@MattG1027]

Ah, never mind. Google was my friend. I guess the first reflection point is actually in front of you on the side wall not behind you like I was picturing in my head.

[@nicryan-glenie2710]

Would doing a massive poo in the middle of the floor help with acoustic treatment? Or would you not recommend? Let me know ASAP. Pls

[@spruce_goose_]

You’re a good chap, sir. Great video.

[@riasure]

Have only discovered this video....so glad I did!! Really helpful and really engaging. Thank you for these very practical tips. I have a small home studio but would like to know how to best control bass frequencies? which are problematic in small spaces. I would like to know how I might lessen bass vibrations from speakers on desk? Ns10’s on Iso acoustics stands and ik ilouds on mo pads, but bass vibrations are felt on floor in listening position desk is wooden as is floor but i have large rug under desk. Any suggestions?? I already also have bass traps in corners too. I wondered whether placing sand bags underneath the floor (from outside) as outbuilding is elevated about 1ft from the ground might be useful? Any help would be welcomed. Thanks

[@PresentDayProduction]

We recently released a newer video a few days ago - part 1 of 4 on how to build a studio. The first episode tackles the main construction, the next episode will cover acoustic treatment and will provide some great examples for all building types!

[@PresentDayProduction]

But to answer your questions, yes, the sand bags would probably help in absorbing any sound going through the floor. If your speakers are physically on your desk, there’s not much that would be as effective as putting them on a stand not connected to the desk!

[@riasure]

Thanks so much for your helpful reply. I will def. check the video out. Getting speakers off the desk would be my preference (in an ideal world) but I have such limited space and as such it doesn’t allow for speaker stands sadly:-(. Also checked out the Audient Nero review you did which helped me narrow down my options and so am hoping to get one soon!! I Best wishes

[@PresentDayProduction]

The Nero is great! We love it.

[@martenmeij]

Thanks a lot for this Mark, this really helps me. Question: do you think the plants are doing anything acoustically?

[@allenshively6374]

Hi Mark. Noticing the blinds on the window behind your desk, I was wondering what effect blinds would have? Like ceiling to floor vertical blinds, especially fabric ones. Just curious ?

[@jhardy0786]

Can you talk about the board and monitor you are using what DAW thanks great job

[@RemyRAD]

Here's a funny little suggestion for creating your own control room with reasonable acoustics. For really no cash outlay. It's very funny and simple. You merely have to contact school systems and municipal libraries. They are always throwing out dozens and dozens of damaged books. Along with changing out from time to time. Their old floor to 8 foot high, freestanding bookshelves. And you collect yourself a shit load of books. And at least 7 or so freestanding bookshelves. Now you don't push those bookshelves flat against your walls. Only one end goes flat against the wall. The other end goes a couple of inches out from the wall. Where it will meet up with the other one. That will end up back against the wall at its other end. And behind you. Perhaps one in front of you. And you call your studio The Library Studio. They will think you're really smart. And when they've asked you if you have read all of those books? You tell them you have. You read the covers of all of them. And you could judge where to place them for best acoustic value. And so you get not only diffusion. You get mass. You get the mass of a log cabin. Inside your room. A room within your room. Made from logs. No thicker than a piece of paper. And some book bindings. Made of cloth and such materials. And what does that cost? Gas beer food pot. And that's about it. Maybe some nice LED rope lights for 50 bucks? Make it look really pretty. Make it seem like you are almost intelligent. Your control room is inside your library. How intellectual of you. I only read the best of Dick and Jane, novels. But sometimes I go MAD. What? Me worry? Not with spy versus spy. I mean what the hell was Harry Olson thinking about? What? You want to put your wall on a hinge? Madness! That's madness I tell you! Sheer madness! What a great idea! Put your bookshelves on hinges! Available at a farm supply store near you. They make them for barn doors don't they? Wouldn't that be great? Hey check it out. I could move this entire wall of books! Oh wow! You're so strong. And handsome. Well maybe just strong? Especially if you could move your wall of books with your ass. And you could! Everybody's going to want that! And they will look and say oh you have such large hinges Mark. And they will get all hot and bothered. Some will even get jealous of the size of your hinges. How did you get those so big? Well it was a big black Smith that did it. Ouch! And that's how you design your control room and studio with no cash. You get smart. You use books and shelves. You can get those for free. You don't have to build anything! And they will have a great patina about them all. It'll even smell like a library! And who wouldn't want that? The smell of musty knowledge. RemyRAD

[@cryptout]

Great video 👍👍

[@yunussh5385]

thanks. Great, inspiring video

[@jodagold5481]

Thank you 🙏

[@womagrid]

Out of interest, how did you get on with using the DAVE 8XS for monitoring? On paper, the system response curve is smiley, and the subwoofer could go a bit lower, but the mids seemed quite detailed when I tried it.

[@woutervanteerling]

that's interesting, I thought the first point to attack is all the corners in the room, to putt absorbent there and me the corners angled

[@TazzSmk]

half year later this video still remains very relevant :D I wonder, how would you recommend to treat walls without drilling holes in them? what standalone absorber would make sense?

[@PresentDayProduction]

Yeah stand-alone absorbers are great - and you get a nice gap in between them and the wall which makes them far more effective

[@TazzSmk]

@@PresentDayProduction any idea for easier DIY way? I saw some folks at KZbin using cheapest IKEA shelves as complete self-standing frames, what do you think about that?

[@PresentDayProduction]

Whatever works really - in this room I leaned a bed up against the wall! A bookcase stuffed with pillows makes a great absorber too. Just experiment with whatever you have already in the house. Some acoustic treatment is nearly always better than none at all

[@TazzSmk]

@@PresentDayProduction thanks for heads up! I started with proper placement few months back, it's funny to see picked practically same layout, facing window :D I figured out 2 big wardrobes placed symetrically (on sides behind my seat) filled with hanging clothes work really well as sort of basstrap/resonators

[@JBoy340a]

Can you rank which items were most important?I have 20 x 25 foot room with wood floors, and ceiling going from 8 to 12 foot and having a heck of a time killing echoes. we have rugs, couches, and some sound absorbing panels but still have issues.

[@CantAffordToRecord]

Very inspiring, thank you

[@wd-4024]

Would it be a good idea to get some paintings (instead of a frame with the sheet on it) and stuff them with towels?

[@PresentDayProduction]

As long as the frame is deep enough to be effective, and is breathable. If you can’t breathe through it (if it’s an oil painting, or watercolour that’s been sealed or varnished) then it won’t work

[@wd-4024]

@@PresentDayProduction Thanks!

[@RemyRAD]

It would only be good if those paintings were of clowns and Elvis on black velvet. Just to be clear. No you don't stuff Elvis with a towel! He was already fat! Don't make it any worse! Just put the fucking paintings on the wall! Cover the wall with them. It will be very impressive. So you really like Elvis? He was my inspiration! You're going to need a lot of Elvis. Available at American hillbilly carnivals near you. Just so you know. I am absolutely serious. It'll work. You'll be amazed. Especially if they are not screwed flat to the wall. But are hung. That way. They are slightly further away from the wall near the top. Closer at the bottom and flush with it. And it's a gigantic acoustic diffuser. With absorption from the black velvet. Mostly at higher frequencies. But the thin pegboard it's mounted upon. Will actually vibrate at its acoustic resonant frequency. Reducing that frequency in the room. Which will be in the upper midrange. Keeping it from being so ringy. But you want to make certain it's thick not thin black velvet. And that's going to cost you more. And it's okay if it's a clown and not Elvis. I would go for both. You could have the Elvis wall and the clown wall. Or just mix them up. Put one next to the other. Or just randomly. Asymmetrically. Why did you put your Elvis in the corner? I wanted to put him in his place. But the clowns are upfront. That's right. I want everybody to know I mean business here. And that's how you sell it to your clients. Because your biggest problem with the acoustics in your home fried control room. While your monitor speakers are most definitely in phase left to right and right to left. Depending upon your sexual orientation. They are both, 180° in opposite absolute polarity however. That's what makes you think your acoustics are bad. The joke is on you. Because you see. I've had to make this repair. Or should I say, correction. In dozens of million-dollar control rooms through the years. It's very funny. When everybody gets everything academically and mathematically correct. But it's acoustically wrong. Because they Think this through properly. You have to think. It's not just based on math alone. If you want to know more? You can call 202-239-7412 and leave a message with the best time to return your call. I'll try to get back to you within a day or so when I check my email. As I'm having fun during my retirement. And occasionally contribute. Some, 25,000 Internet postings on professional audio user groups over the past 15 years. After my brain surgery. When I had to stay home and convalesce. But that never stopped. After my convalescing. Put up a couple of additional bookshelves. Put some randomly sized books on your bookshelves. Nothing that rattles. Nothing that resonates. Now mind you. The speaker polarity flip is easy. When you have passive speakers with wires going to an amplifier. It requires a soldering iron and screwdriver. And some basic technical skill. If you have self powered, control room monitor speaker types. Where you have to remove the speakers. And reverse the connections on both the woofers and the tweeters and/or midrange drivers. And it's a whole new world! It's a game changer. 202-239-7412 RemyRAD

[@farshimelt]

@@RemyRAD Your posts are the most entertaining on this comment section. It's a relief from all the seriousness. Thanx.

[@almightytreegod]

Got any decent ways to do DIY testing on any more serious attempts at sound treatment one might build (without access to an anechoic chamber)? I do have a UMIK-1 and REW.

[@ozzy3ml]

Great stuff

[@greengrer]

Thank you!

[@photony]

How did you hold the towels inside? And did you put a backing on the panels?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Great video, what if you cant put anything on the walls? I have a rented house that suffers from condensation and black mold on two outside walls and the third wall is a chimney breast that is saturated with moisture :(

[@musamusashi]

Floor standing panels may be the best solution. Commercial or DIY.

[@blackcreamsupreme]

What’s the best shaped room then?

[@danncozey]

Great vid bud, thanks heaps

[@DutchWarbeast]

Great video and such a difference! I'm about to start on a similar room. Currently.the setup is against the long wall with a big window to my left (which is where my first reflection is). Is it better to out it all in front of the window instead? Or keep with the slightly longer wall? Thank you!

[@NickPitmanUK]

@@MattStory1024 You have posted this unnecessary reply on shitloads of comments, Are you alright do you need someone to talk to? Go make some music and stop being such an English word for cigarette.

[@zygousbeat9724]

Great video brother. Btw which desk you have there?

[@PresentDayProduction]

It’s a PreSonus StudioLive 32 Series III

[@7audiophile]

*TOWELS!* .. towels .. *TOWELS!* .. towels ..