Studiobricks Complete Build And Review

[@LoveAudioProduction]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm considering buying the Studiobricks One for my new apartment and I'm trying to watch as many videos showing it being constructed as possible!

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hey, glad it helped! I did the same thing. :)

[@christopherdover7423]

Thanks for the video..I’m a studiobricks Pro owner too..mine is currently in storage but I’ll review your video when I setup again.

[@mciiprod]

Great voice! You deserve this booth ,way to go

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Thanks very much! It's been a great investment. :)

[@user-ml1yp7ef9v]

Thanks for posting this useful video. I have recently relocated and had to re-assemble my StudioBricks and had the chance to correct the error I made when I assembled it for the first time. The first time I had a couple of rubber feet "left over" after the installation and the floor bowed. I thought this was odd because the booths are generally built like a brick sh*thouse. Solid, German engineering. But I didn't connect the two until now. Now I am re-assembling my booth and I noticed that the bottom of the floor panels have a hole into which the rubber feet should be installed. Once I did this the floor is rock solid, like the rest of the booth. I noticed in your video, at least in the first installation, that you did not appear to install the rubber feet in the hole before laying down the floor panel. After assembling a StudioBricks booth - particularly the door - you generally don't want to do it over. But if your floor bows slightly, at least you know why. Btw, thanks much for the tip on additional room treatment. Sounds like it worked well for you and I'll try it too. "Boxy" is the perfect word, pre-treatment. You can fix some of this with equalization (around 200 Hz) but yeah, it's an issue. Another software fix which is practically magic for ambient and room noise reduction is Universal Audio's C-Vox plugin (www.uaudio.com/uad-plugins/special-processing/c-vox-noise-reduction.html). Now, if only I can find a quiet, powerful ventilation system for the booth, it would be perfect. It heats up like a mother. Maybe it's the rack of electronics I've got in there, including multi tube preamplifiers, a spaceship of a computer and a very large monitor, but man it's a sweatbox.

[@rickbarr9755]

Hey Tim, thanks for the comments! You made an interesting point, and I have to admit that, three years later, I can't quite recall much about the rubber feet. There are quite a few of them seated along the edge of the unit, and I don't think I had any "extras". The floor doesn't bow. Is yours also a 4'x5'? I'll check out that plugin. I'm pretty set with what I'm using but I agree, even on the lowest setting, the fan generates just enough noise for me to not want to use it. On the other hand, my lower back issues tend to prevent me from working more than 30 minutes at a time anyway, so the heat isn't much of an issue. Ummm....yeah, you might want to move some stuff out of there! I'd initially had my laptop inside but the fan would get so loud I couldn't record, so I moved it outside and got a 32" monitor. It's been great.

[@user-ml1yp7ef9v]

@@rickbarr9755 Hi Rick - I completed the re-assembly of my 5' x 6' booth this weekend and I couldn't be happier. With the two rubber feet supporting floor panels 1 and 3, the slight bowing issue has disappeared. I'm using my vintage MacBook Pro 17" (still works!) instead of my spaceship i9 Windows box and 27" 4K screen (both big heat producers) and that, along strategic placement of the booth beneath the room air-conditioning vent (now right above the intake port) have killed the heat problem. I had also removed my Mesa Boogie tube equipment as well but I miss the tasty tube sound so much I will be replacing it with a Synergy SYN1 preamp that's about the size of a large hardback book and plugs into the audio interface (I'm getting away with using an Apogee Duet). Taking a page from your setup, I set up my spaceship i9, the large monitor and the rack of other equipment including an Apogee Ensemble (overkill, overkill but live and learn) outside of the booth for my post-production. Compose and lay down core tracks and vocals inside the booth; post-production outside. Sorry to hear about your back. This time I was very, very careful lifting things the right way, assembling the booth over a couple of weeks. Apart from a few aches, I emerged unscathed. Unlike the first assembly where I did serious damage (ligament tears) that took months to heal. I don't remember these vulnerabilities when I was 25. But that was a while ago now... All the best, Tim

[@SoundMediaVibes]

Great review!

[@DanBires]

I think what's going to make a huge difference is when your ac or heat kicks on in the house this booth will block all of that out now. So you are good.

[@larrywomacvo]

Hi Rick, I'm looking to get one as well. Thanks for this awesome video. Knowing what you know now, would you have picked a different size or different options? Thanks for your time.

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Larry, thanks for the comment. I actually wouldn't change anything. There is a "triple wall" option (mine is a double), but I don't think an extra layer would have made enough of a difference to matter. The 4x5 unit is just big enough for me to fit my guitar in to play comfortably, and overall, I'm thrilled with it.

[@larrywomacvo]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 Thank you for the quick response. I think that may be the size I choose as well since it's going in the spare bedroom and my wife needs her space too.

[@bi0r0b0tics]

Great video! Is it a double or a triple wall?

[@johnmontagestudios2428]

Hi. Can I ask: what method(s) did you use to successfully secure your Bass traps to the internals of the booth? And... What did you use to secure them? (Foam adhesive spray..?) Thanks. (Thanks for making your vid)

[@rickbarr9755]

Hi John! Believe it or not, with all the high tech-ness of the booth and equipment, the bass traps are connected using T-pins. They've worked great.

[@johnmontagestudios2428]

@@rickbarr9755 Hey, thanks Rick! That's an idea we hadn't considered yet. Good idea. We just took delivery of our Studio Bricks One Plus XXL yesterday. We're all set up and running... Just trying to work out the best way of affixing the bass traps - but trying to avoid 'glue' to any of the surfaces (if it can be avoided). Your method had given us another great idea. Thanks for taking time to respond. And thanks for posting your vid, mate. Cheers.

[@rickbarr9755]

@@johnmontagestudios2428 Oh yeah, certainly no need to use glue at all. Hey, share photos of your booth if you're able. You're gonna love it!

[@BillBene67]

Great video. Hows the booth holding up??

[@AUDIOBOOKCINEMA]

Four years later, absolutely no regrets. It's been my professional workspace, and I guess the best part of it is the consistency......the environment is always the same, So when it's time to work, I step in, shut the door, and get to it.

[@allegro_exol]

I’m broke af but i really need this studiobrix for my work😭😭

[@moderateselfcontrol]

Hey Rick - great video, I just wanted to check in on whether you think the studio brick was worth it 2 years down the road. They are over 10k here in Australia so really have to be sure.

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Jonah, thanks for reaching out. I'm actually almost four years into it, and have to say that it's definitely been worth it. I guess the one caveat I'd pass on is that even at this rather expensive level, it's not completely sound proof. For that, you'd need something upwards of $50K to properly treat a room, or whatever. I mention it because I live next to a major airport and even closer are train tracks. The super low frequencies actually make the foundation of my house rumble just a bit and, naturally, that gets passed up into the booth. Now, they're extremely low-level, and perhaps I'm the only one who would notice them, but since I'm doing this at a professional level, I just can't let that happen. So I'll wait 'till the plane or train goes by, and resume. That's not at all a knock on Studiobricks. They have completely delivered everything they promised and I absolutely love stepping inside to work. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@GOtheVOPro]

Do you recommend dropping in the floorboards before installing the A section?

[@xxbrkdwnxx]

hows the isolation outside of the booth? as in, if you're screaming and hollering would somebody outside be able to hear you?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Chris, if I were to really scream inside the booth, someone standing 8-10 feet away would hear it, but VERY faintly, and very muffled. If you had music or TV playing, it would mask the sound. If my cat comes right up to the door and starts meowing, I can very faintly hear her, but it doesn't even come close to being heard in my mic. Low-end rumbles do get through, so the big jets that fly directly overhead and the trains from 1/2 mile away can sometimes force me to pause. But, those moments are thankfully infrequent.

[@B66Creative]

I'm curious, was this installed in a room with standard 8' ceilings?

[@syntaxfm]

What were the internal dimensions of your booth?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

This is a 4x5' unit. I would have been happy enough with the standard 3x3' unit, but I have a Varidesk I use due to back issues, and that necessitated more space.

[@brendancoyle9196]

Thanks for the video. Do you have samples of recordings you've done in this booth?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Brandon. I never did end up producing a "before/after" video, but I think the best examples would be if you listen to some of my audio book samples, found at barr26.com/voiceoversAudiobooks.php. Most of the other commercials and things I've produced have bg music.

[@brendancoyle9196]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 This is great, thanks!

[@natalieroers4062]

Great video! Can I ask where you got your desk for your monitors and keyboard? And shelf to hold your pre-amp and interface? Did it come with the booth, or did you find it somewhere. I'd like to copy your set-up:) Thanks!

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Natalie! Thank you :) The desk is actually custom-built. I'd looked around quite a bit for a desk that would be a precise fit for the booth and suit my needs, but it was going to be too expensive. So, we built this one from scratch. I know that Studiobricks has a "VO" unit, and I looked at that, but it was way too simplistic, and wouldn't handle all the equipment. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

[@natalieroers4062]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@TomGlander]

Totally amazing video. I have SUCH a better idea of how this works now. Thanks for creating and sharing this with everyone. Do you find the space is accommodating everything you need?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Thanks very much Tom, I was really hoping this video would help people. For me, 5x4 is definitely the LEAST amount of space I need, given that I'm also a musician. I can stand in there with my guitar with no problem. If I didn't have a rough lower back, and didn't have my Varidesk in there, I probably could have gone with something smaller, maybe 4x4.

[@TomGlander]

I like the larger space. I'd prefer a 6x8. I'm researching right now. Thanks again.

[@gunnerjacksonevents]

Thank's for the video...what's the price for the booth that size?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Gunner. This was $10,500. That includes a $2000 freight delivery charge from Barcelona. Definitely something that I gave a lot of thought to, and after six months, I can definitely say it was worth it.

[@gunnerjacksonevents]

Man - thing is SWEET!!

[@iSoftCloud]

Hey nice video :) , do you think the booth would be okay for singing?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi, thank you! Yes, absolutely, I've recorded music tracks with instruments and vocals, Great sound.

[@r2gnl]

After a few weeks, how's the setup working? Changed anything else or not?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

I haven't changed anything with the setup except decreasing the gain on my Warm pre-amp. I recorded a book with my usual settings, and found that when I needed to shout, or at least raise my volume for a scene, it was too much. It was an interesting side-effect, perhaps due to the extra isolation, as well as it being a smaller space than before. I've become very comfortable using it, really in a good flow now. Absolutely love it!

[@georgephilis]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 This is great work. Would you recommend this for tracking singing vocals?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

@@georgephilis Thank you! That's a really good question. I've done some music work in it, but not much (just been too busy). In terms of the isolation and sound quality, absolutely, yes. I just haven't tinkered with mic placement, settings, etc to get a great handle on precisely what's best to achieve good sound. But there really should be no issues.

[@harihnabam9859]

How can it be procured/ buy

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

You can go to studiobricks.com to check it out, and e-mail [e-mail] directly with what you're looking for. Basically, they'll work with you via e-mail during the process, though you can talk to them directly as well.

[@mikehathcotemedia9989]

Hey Rick! Great video! What was the cost of this unit? Thanks!

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Hi Mike! This custom unit ending up costing right around $10,000 with shipping....shipping being close to $2000 all by itself. :)

[@tinktwiceman]

Great video! Do you think you would be able to fit those same monitors plus a desk in the standard 3 x 3 One? I look forward to getting a studio bricks booth. Thank you.

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

The monitors, sure, but the desk was custom made to fit the 4x5' unit. So, I think the width on this one is right around 46 inches. I did actually move to a single 32" monitor and put my Macbook outside the booth, as the fan noise was starting to become an issue. That's been working out great.

[@robstaylor4234]

did you finish the treatment on the rest of the space? sound still pretty boxy to me even with the traps.

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

The traps made a huge difference. I get what you're saying, it may sound a little off, but my mic/preamp/DAW combo does a great job of producing excellent sound. With shipping (which was over $1000), it was around $11k

[@robstaylor4234]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 lord! I dont think I will be getting one any time soon lol

[@barr26]

@@robstaylor4234 ha, yeah, I think two years on, I'm just now getting over the sticker shock. But, it was a worthy investment.

[@costanzauk]

There’s another KZbin video where they took 7 minutes to setup, but you said it takes 5 days?! Do you think it always has to take days to pack away/put up?

[@robstaylor4234]

how much was it

[@swine2264]

Is this the single or double wall?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Double Wall. I'm pretty sure the guys in the videos are setting up the basic 3x3 single-wall unit, which is partly why they can do it in eight minutes. The biggest piece probably isn't more than 40 pounds.

[@veewooks924]

RickBarrVoiceovers Have you found the double wall enough for sound isolation after a year? Someone else said they got a triple wall version for maximum isolation, wondering if it’s worth the price difference from the double wall

[@OCUBOX]

Why choose this over the whisper room, I thought this was better priced than the WR but ostensibly not...

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

I did a lot of research on all options, and while this was one of the more expensive, all reviews gave it better scores in terms of sound isolation and noise dampening, which was key. Since I live so close to the airport and train tracks, it was just becoming far too expensive in terms of time to have to pause recording so often. And yes, I make good use of plug-ins (rx6, etc) but when a Southwest jet is flying directly overhead, and the house shakes....well, there's no getting around that. :) There are rare times when it's still a good idea for me to pause when an extremely loud plane goes by, but now that's maybe a couple times an hour, instead of once every 5-10 minutes.

[@OCUBOX]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 That's terrible, sounds like you live on a commercial airport runway, completely understand :)

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

lol we're 10 miles away, but directly in the main flight path. I actually considered moving, but you can never block out all sounds (lawnmowers, cars, etc), so the booth was it.

[@STMENTNETWORK]

I hear everyone talk about that boxy sound when recording in small spaces, so once you put the bass traps that went away?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

They certainly did. I was surprised at the immediate difference. It was kind of guesswork when I was planning on where to place them but honestly, the first test was enough of a difference that I haven't touched them since.

[@STMENTNETWORK]

RickBarrVoiceovers cool studio bricks and whisper room booths are a little pricey right now for me so I plan on building one using the DAWBOX plans I’m definitely going to take ur advice cuz I really was afraid of that

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

As long as you don't live 1/4 mile from train tracks and 15 minutes from a major airport, an affordable solution like that should be fine. :) Good luck!

[@STMENTNETWORK]

RickBarrVoiceovers ok cool 1 more question I have carpet on my floor. Do u think it will still be better to build a base or will the carpet be good. I’m thinking still build the base but I wanna hear ur opinion

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Carpet would be absolutely fine and, in fact, it depends on what kind of booth you build but the carpet would act as an extra layer of insulation to protect against reflection.

[@TheVanguardAcademy]

How was your back?? :((

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Oh man.....not good at all. Kind of suffered for a couple weeks. Degenerative Disc Disease down there, so I certainly wasn't doing myself any favors. If I hadn't needed to fit my guitars in there to record music, I would have gone with the basic 3x3 unit, and those longer pieces would have been cut almost in half. The door still would have been a beast, though!

[@TheVanguardAcademy]

@@rickbarrvoiceovers2438 OMG! :( Take care of yourself, pls. Disc problems -t his is not a fun at all... ;(( I'm moving upright only with constant help of "Rapigel" now... ;((

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

@@TheVanguardAcademy thank you very much, and good luck to you!

[@2fladoodle]

The one i was looking at is 1,000 pounds. Is this on a basement floor for you or has the weight not been a problem?

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

Mine is around 1400 pounds, and is on the first floor, with a basement underneath. I certainly did research it, and found it was not going to be a problem. It IS a lot of weight on a fairly small area of space, so I think those with older homes/apartments may need to be careful. I've had no issues. :)

[@2fladoodle]

RickBarrVoiceovers thank you! Mine will be in my room on the second floor against a load bearing wall so hopefully itll b ok

[@enricovaioli]

Amazing silent!! What’s your model :) I’m interested in buy one like you Can you help me I’m an Italian voice artist Can you give me some advice and impressions too about the booth!? Thank you mate! Good job

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

This is a custom unit, so it's not one they feature on their web site. I would actually just use the link on their site to contact them directly, describe your exact needs, what you're looking for, and they'll be more than happy to help you. :)

[@enricovaioli]

RickBarrVoiceovers thanks rick! I’ll keep following your uploads and videos Keep it up Best!!

[@hennidapoet]

What's the price? Something that no one is talking about.

[@rickbarrvoiceovers2438]

$10,500, which included shipping.