Recording in my Bedroom - Acoustics?
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Posted on Jan 27, 2008 01:16 am
glorifiedg79
Member Since: Aug 24, 2007
Ok, I really only need to record my electric guitar by mic'ing the amp as well as my acoustic guitar. For drums and bass I will be using MIDI and Vst's.
So, I really don't care about bass or drum frequencies, considering I don't own either drums or a bass.
Anyways, I was trying to decide whether or not to move my setup (it's really just a desk, a usb audio interface, and my laptop, in my room. There is absolutely no sound absorbtion in the room. Eyeballing it, the room looks about 8 ft high, 12 ft wide, and 14 ft long.
This room has this wood type paneling on it, no paint or wallpaper, one window, and too solid wood doors. Again, there is no foam or anything on the walls or ceiling.
I kind of have two bedrooms. I might move my desk and setup into the other room, but it seems a taden you clap reflective (like that quick sharp bouncy sounding echo you get when you clap your hands. The room I am in now doesn't have that.
There is also solid wood walls and cheap wallpaper in the other room.
The only reason I ask is because the other room is slightly larger, and would be more comfortable to record in. It would also be more expensive to deaden the sound in, because it seems more reflective and it's slightly bigger. Should I just move stuff around in my current room and add some foam to the walls, or should I move? I really am cramped for space in this room (couch, t.v. and dresser in here too.) When I record my amp in here, it sounds alright...I mean I don't really notice any excessive reverb or reflection, but then again, I am a complete newbie to recording.
Sorry for the long post...Any input is welcome.
Thanks,
Joe
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Jan 27, 2008 02:21 am Also, I would like to deaden the sound just a little bit, to lessen bothering my neighbors upstairs. Maybe foaming the ceiling is the best bet for that?
This room is reflective, just not as much as the one I want to move into.. Is solid wood bad for reflections?
Jan 27, 2008 07:25 am That could make for a bad recording. You really don't need to go with the foam or anything like that. Why not just move a couch and bookcase into the room or something, not a lot of stuff, but something to help deaden it a little bit?
Got any heavy quilts and blankets you can hang temporarily?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 27, 2008 10:37 am I hung some packing blankets in my space, and it totally cut down the reflections. Highly recommended. I hung 3, side by side, kinda stretching from 1 wall to the adjacent wall, in a arc. I hear 0 slapback now.
You could use thick quilts, etc. but I find the packing blankets to be the densest I've found.
It won't do anything for the sound-proofing, only to tame the high-end and reflections. Sound-proofing is a whole 'nother ball game, taking both know-how and resource ($$$).
Jan 27, 2008 02:34 pm What specifically could make it a bad recording? Foam on the ceiling?
Jan 27, 2008 03:53 pm What are you recording for ?? If it's just for fun or family etc. then none of this matters. I have nothing on my walls and I get decent enough recordings for my needs.
Another options I did once was to get a 4 portable laundry racks and hang blankets off them and surround myself with them.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 27, 2008 06:29 pm Quote:
What specifically could make it a bad recording? Foam on the ceiling?
No, I think he meant that having bouncing reflections can give a bad recording. Meaning, having bouncing reflections can add up and give you skewed sound. Bass can build up and cause muddiness. High end reflections can cause shrillness.
I don't know if I totally agree with Tony, though it's just my opinion. I may be only doing this for fun and/or family, but I like to get a better signal onto tape, even if it's just for me. I like adding a little more work to my room if it makes a noticeable difference.
I do agree with the laundry rack idea, kinda like my packing blankets.
Jan 27, 2008 07:48 pm My philosophy is purely based around the fact that you can get a perfectly good sound for home recording in a bedroom and that people are better off spending their time working on their songs than on sound proofing a room. If you're recording for friends and family then not one of them will care about those bouncing waves.
This does all assume a certain level of quality, not meaning that you can deliver any old crap.
