recording in the bathroom
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Posted on Sep 13, 2004 12:29 pm
R&BThug
Member Since: Sep 13, 2004
Hey,
Since everybody's talking about getting silent components for their pcs, for cooling and all that stuff. Here's a temporary solution, wouldnt be a good idea to record in the bathroom? I heard the sound is good there. Besides, you can leave the computer outside the bathroom, and just let the headphones and mic inside. Has anybody tried? Thank you.
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Sep 13, 2004 12:42 pm THAT, is nowhere near as mad as it sounds.
I am planning on trying this tho I wasnt going to say so..my loft is above the bathroom and the acoustics in the bathroom are fantastic.
The studio is in the loft so I thought of using it as a vocal both just as a wee test.
Its defo an idea...
Coco.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Sep 13, 2004 01:21 pm I've always referred to that certain reverb setting as "bathroom." Have recorded so may vocals in bathrooms, just to get the right sound. That's why we all sing in the shower (don't you?), 'cos it sounds great.
Sep 13, 2004 02:59 pm Correctttt! It does sound great Tall Chap!
Aye, and there wis me thinkin everyone would think I was nuts recording in the bathroom!!!
Well...there yi go...am aff to the lavvy (aka bathroom :-)
Coco.
drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Sep 13, 2004 04:34 pm sorry to kill the happy mood... but recording in the bathroom only works in certain curcumstances. the reason you sound "good" in the bathroom is that the sound echos very smoothly al over the space. that a good thing if thats the kind of reverb you are looking for.
The problem lies in the physics of soundwaves. Every room has whats called a resonant frequency (a certain note in all octaves that resonates when sung/played). This causes that note to be significantly louder than all others. It can ruin a recording. Foam walls and corner wedges in recording studios essentially kill the resonant frequency.
This is why if a pro sound engineer wants to record with natural reverb, he/she takes the singer to a large space like a concert hall rather than a small tiled room.
SKOTZILLApSyChOTTic-da caps spell me nameMember
Since: Aug 07, 2004
Sep 13, 2004 09:29 pm I guess what drake means is that if you record in the bathroom, you're gonna sound like ****.
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Sep 13, 2004 09:45 pm you can kind of ameliorate the effects of the resonance by using EQ and compression, but it doesn't change the fact that the tone of a resonated note is different from that of another. i recorded vocals once in a bathroom, but now i leave that room to its originally designated purpose.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 13, 2004 10:45 pm Acutally I have used the bathroom with remarkable results. The key is to find the seet spot and then you can dampen the effect drake spoke of with even the cheapest of materials, ie: the towels in the bathroom. I have recorded vocals, guitars, horns, and various other instruments with great results in a bathroom. You just need to tune it like anyother room.
Experimentation is the key when you are on a budget, so dont be affraid to try it. Just remember to bring your towels and be ready to take the time to make it sound good.
Noize
BleakA small pie will soon be eatenMember
Since: Aug 26, 2004
Sep 13, 2004 10:59 pm
Just out of curisoity, i thought when recording vocals (i'm a total newbie) that you wanted absolutely no sound bouncing of anything at all?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 13, 2004 11:19 pm It all depends on what your trying to get to tape/harddisk. some like to record a wet vocal, some like to record dry and then add FX later. It is all personal taste.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Sep 15, 2004 01:04 pm I don't use it as a matter of course, just when I'm looking for a certain sound. When it's right, it's absolute magic. When it's wrong....oh, my! Erase.....
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Sep 15, 2004 01:44 pm I tried recording in the bathroom, but it came out funky (aka bad). My reasoning is that it sounds good to your ears, with the reverb bouncing around from all sides, but a cardiod mic only pics sound up from the side of your voice, and blocks out most of the best verb as it bounces back towards you. Anyways, it sounded bad.
ILLbizzelILLbino - one of WA's finestMember
Since: Feb 10, 2004
Sep 15, 2004 02:38 pm I dont prefer recording in the bathroom. It is too echoey. I'd add the foam, but then the moisture would prolly damage that. So I'm moving to a new place in a couple months that has a big walk in closet. I'll foam that up, then my results should improve.
As for wet/dry sound: I prefer a dry sound without any echo so I can add it later if needed. On many hip hop tracks, you won't hear too much of an echo on the voices. Now if your an opera singer, maybe then the bathroom would be a great place. Depends on all what you are trying to do.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Sep 15, 2004 06:27 pm I prefer recording dry reverb wise so the bathroom wouldn't be a place I'd be recording. Under some circumstances it could be used to advantage though.
Dan
