Need a homemade recording studio for voice overs at DVinfo.net

Dan Measel · October 1st, 2003, 10:20 PM

I'm a hobbyist and making a movie. My last project was great but my sound sucked. So I got a new mic (SGM2X) and boom pole for this project. I'm expecting some significant improvement, but also not delusional and realize it won't sound "professional". However, of course I want it to be as good as possible.

I want to record some voice overs and sound effects. Apart from having the actors mouth very near the mic is there any other reasonable room modification that is not too outlandish or involved that you can do to avoid the hollow sound of recording indoors? Like recording in a smaller room vs bigger room or recording in the corner of a room lined with pilows or egg crates or something. I'm cluless. Any suggestions?

Ken Tanaka · October 1st, 2003, 11:01 PM

I'm sure you'll get some good tips, Dan.

The best tip I can pass along is to get a copy of Jay Rose's "Producing Great Sound for Digital Video". It covers this, and many other topics in a very informative manner.

Rob Wilson · October 2nd, 2003, 07:43 AM

Dan,

In a jam, the nearest walk in closet filled with clothes is a pretty aucoustically dead room. Usually not a lot of room to work in but it's the best you'll get for free!

Marco Leavitt · October 2nd, 2003, 08:10 AM

That's a great book, but I think Jay Rose's "Audio Postproduction for Digital Video" would have more detailed information on setting up a recording studio. I haven't read it, but in "Producing Great Sound..." he's always saying if you want detailed information on studios "you gotta buy my other book."
I'm in a similar situation, and our strategy is to have as little echo as possible, and then try and make it sound like the right environment later. One tip I got from Robert Rodriguez's book is that you can save yourself a lot of headache syncing up the sound by cutting away when people speak. That's why practically all you ever see are reaction shots whenever anybody talks in El Mariachi. Clever guy.

Ken Tanaka · October 2nd, 2003, 09:55 AM

You're right, Marco. I should have cited that book, too. It's on my shelf and it its Chapter 8 would be right on the money.

Thank you for the correction.

Michael Sibbernsen · October 2nd, 2003, 11:07 AM

I would also add, since you apparently have XLR inputs to your camera, you may wish to use a better suited voice mic (in stand) over the Azden Shotgun.

MS

Richard Alvarez · October 2nd, 2003, 12:07 PM

One problem many people overlook when building low budget home sound booths, is the surface they set the mike on. Does no good to baffle the sound on the walls, if the mike is on a reflective, (Formica) desktop.

Blankest hung an inch AWAY from the wall is better than hanging them ON the wall.

You can buy egg-crate foam pads for mattresses for about nine dollars, that cover a lot of wall, ceiling.

If possible, non-parrallel surfaces are good. For instance, I used to have a "Flat" made of two four by four sheets of plywood, hinged together. They were lined with egg-crate foam. I set them on the desk, with my head aimed at the "seam". Placed the mike stand on a towel to deaden the reflection from the desk... voila, a portable sound room.

Richard.
(Before film, and after television, I worked in radio for six years as an announcer at a major market station here in Houston)

Mike Rehmus · October 2nd, 2003, 05:11 PM

Here is an echo-stopper I made that works fairly well.

I use it for voice-overs and recently had to shoot a commercial in a theatrical company's practice hall. A large space with drywalls and a concrete floor. It couldn't kill all the echos like a set of PZM microphones but I needed the sensitivity of the Shure studio microphone.

Not too expensive to build. You can make one with a cardboard box and foam.

http://www.byvideo.com/new_page_2.htm

Peter Wiley · October 2nd, 2003, 05:54 PM

If you live in a quiet place and have a portable deck, you might try using the inside of your car, esp. if its got fabric seats. I' used the inside of my Subaru Outback for voice-overs and it works remarkably well -- as long as there is not a lot of noise outside the car. It has a very nice recording booth sort of sound.

If you have a garage handy that's not full of stuff, you could put the talent in the car and record from outside . . .

October 1st, 2003, 10:20 PM	#1
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	Need a homemade recording studio for voice overs I'm a hobbyist and making a movie. My last project was great but my sound sucked. So I got a new mic (SGM2X) and boom pole for this project. I'm expecting some significant improvement, but also not delusional and realize it won't sound "professional". However, of course I want it to be as good as possible. I want to record some voice overs and sound effects. Apart from having the actors mouth very near the mic is there any other reasonable room modification that is not too outlandish or involved that you can do to avoid the hollow sound of recording indoors? Like recording in a smaller room vs bigger room or recording in the corner of a room lined with pilows or egg crates or something. I'm cluless. Any suggestions?

October 1st, 2003, 11:01 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I'm sure you'll get some good tips, Dan. The best tip I can pass along is to get a copy of Jay Rose's "Producing Great Sound for Digital Video". It covers this, and many other topics in a very informative manner. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 2nd, 2003, 09:55 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	You're right, Marco. I should have cited that book, too. It's on my shelf and it its Chapter 8 would be right on the money. Thank you for the correction. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 2nd, 2003, 05:11 PM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Here is an echo-stopper I made that works fairly well. I use it for voice-overs and recently had to shoot a commercial in a theatrical company's practice hall. A large space with drywalls and a concrete floor. It couldn't kill all the echos like a set of PZM microphones but I needed the sensitivity of the Shure studio microphone. Not too expensive to build. You can make one with a cardboard box and foam. http://www.byvideo.com/new_page_2.htm __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 2nd, 2003, 07:43 AM	#3
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Dan, In a jam, the nearest walk in closet filled with clothes is a pretty aucoustically dead room. Usually not a lot of room to work in but it's the best you'll get for free!

October 2nd, 2003, 08:10 AM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	That's a great book, but I think Jay Rose's "Audio Postproduction for Digital Video" would have more detailed information on setting up a recording studio. I haven't read it, but in "Producing Great Sound..." he's always saying if you want detailed information on studios "you gotta buy my other book." I'm in a similar situation, and our strategy is to have as little echo as possible, and then try and make it sound like the right environment later. One tip I got from Robert Rodriguez's book is that you can save yourself a lot of headache syncing up the sound by cutting away when people speak. That's why practically all you ever see are reaction shots whenever anybody talks in El Mariachi. Clever guy.

October 2nd, 2003, 11:07 AM	#6
Michael Sibbernsen New Boot Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: United States Posts: 13	I would also add, since you apparently have XLR inputs to your camera, you may wish to use a better suited voice mic (in stand) over the Azden Shotgun. MS

October 2nd, 2003, 12:07 PM	#7
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	One problem many people overlook when building low budget home sound booths, is the surface they set the mike on. Does no good to baffle the sound on the walls, if the mike is on a reflective, (Formica) desktop. Blankest hung an inch AWAY from the wall is better than hanging them ON the wall. You can buy egg-crate foam pads for mattresses for about nine dollars, that cover a lot of wall, ceiling. If possible, non-parrallel surfaces are good. For instance, I used to have a "Flat" made of two four by four sheets of plywood, hinged together. They were lined with egg-crate foam. I set them on the desk, with my head aimed at the "seam". Placed the mike stand on a towel to deaden the reflection from the desk... voila, a portable sound room. Richard. (Before film, and after television, I worked in radio for six years as an announcer at a major market station here in Houston)

October 2nd, 2003, 05:54 PM	#9
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	If you live in a quiet place and have a portable deck, you might try using the inside of your car, esp. if its got fabric seats. I' used the inside of my Subaru Outback for voice-overs and it works remarkably well -- as long as there is not a lot of noise outside the car. It has a very nice recording booth sort of sound. If you have a garage handy that's not full of stuff, you could put the talent in the car and record from outside . . .