DIY Desktop Vocal Recording Booth - Converts to Acoustic Panels When Not in Use

Рет қаралды 7,875

Күн бұрын

Dramatically improve VoiceOvers and Narration. No need for expensive, high-end mic. Low cost DIY solution. Eliminates echo and reverberation, looks and works great.
This video will show why you need a Desktop Vocal Booth and how to build one in a weekend, for about $130 to $150. Comprehensive Plans & Tutorial available for $5 on UnchartedDIY.com/vocal-booth/ for those that would like additional information for making one of these awesome booths. Details below.
Links to a few of the items used in this video. Complete list on UnchartedDIY.com/vocal-booth/
Acoustic Foam Panel Wedge Tiles - amzn.to/3EzZr7Q
Detachable Flag Hinges Lift Off - amzn.to/3wh03fO
Furniture Pads/Moving Blanket - amzn.to/3Srf7lN
Carpet Tape - amzn.to/3weoxpO
Spray Adhesive - amzn.to/3k6ANUt
The Plans & Tutorial package includes a 22 page PDF and and 40 minutes of video instruction.
The PDF includes:
• Detailed Plans
• Cut List
• Cutting Diagrams
• Visual Supply and Tools Lists
• Dimensions, and more
The video is presented in 16 easy-to-follow modules to walk you through each step of building this project. Includes section on pilot holes and butt joints.
Chapters in this video:
00:00 Overview
01:24 Does it Even Work?
04:07 Why Use a Desktop Vocal Booth?
05:32 Won't an Expensive Mic Fix Things?
06:05 Won't it Take Too Much Time to Set Up?
06:30 Won't it Take Too Much Space?
06:59 How Do I Fit In?
09:32 I Want One! What Stuff Do I Need?
12:42 I've Gathered Everything...Now What?
14:05 Getting Framed
16:06 Padding Your Work
17:36 Icing the (Panel) Cake
18:45 I Can See Clearly Now
__________________________________
If you found this video helpful, please Like, Comment, Subscribe and Share! And, if you have ideas, questions, comments, or images of YOUR project, you can post them on the Uncharted DIY article page at uncharteddiy.com/vocal-booth/
See UnchartedDIY.com for more how-to information, videos, details and links to resources.
Intro music by monkeyman535, freesound.org/s/466981/
If you purchase from one of the provided product links, Uncharted DIY may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Пікірлер: 25

@fittgamertube Жыл бұрын

i have seen many diy's for desktop vocal booths but yours was by far the most high quality one. you are a good teacher and video creator

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, FittGamerTube! I try hard to make my videos instructive and entertaining at the same time. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to let me know you like it!

@RobKristjansson 2 жыл бұрын

As an up and coming VO artist, I am so happy I came across Steve's video, bought the plans, and built the booth! The first client recording I made in it not only got me a five star review, but the highest value VO order I've received to date! I don't want to lay it on too thick (you'll need to EQ out some of the "boxiness" that comes with recording in such a small space - an agressive narrow cut at 100Hz seemed to do the trick for me, on top of my usual corrective EQ) but if you've been working out of a barely treated space, or a blanket fort like I was, you'll notice a BIG difference! Great design, Steve - I can't wait for the next one! Rob

@UnchartedDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob! Your use case (and mine too) are perfect examples of why I designed this booth. It doesn't replace a large dedicated vocal booth, but it really improves the quality of voice overs and narration. I'm so happy to know it is helping you build your VO empire! Remember me when you become the next Don Lafontaine!

@RobKristjansson 2 жыл бұрын

@@UnchartedDIY Will do, brother!

@johnandtracimontgomery3683 9 ай бұрын

I had spent the last two weeks researching voice over boxes and I was, I kid you not, wondering if I could build one for placement over my desk. I was literally measuring my desk, with a tape, just before I clicked on your video. This appears to be a great option until I have the time and resources to build a booth in my basement. Now, I'm clicking on over to UncharredDIY to order the planes. Thanks!

@UnchartedDIY 9 ай бұрын

You are welcome, John! That was great timing and I'm glad you found it! I too spent a huge amount of time researching, and when I couldn't find anything I decided to build one. The prototype was proof of concept, followed by the one in the video. Have fun building and using it!

@JarrydRetribution Жыл бұрын

Awesome build! Would love to try this for my home studio for loud vocals, but I'd also need it to get close to sound proofing levels as well. Wondering if I built a back wall and made some modifications to the design if that could be achieved. Was looking into buying the "Isovox 2", but the boxy and boomy qualities of recordings really put me off to it. This seems like a much more cost effective and possibly better acoustic alternative. Would be great to hear more recording tests of vocals inside and out at different volumes!

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jarryd! I don't know how it would do with loud vocals. I've only used mine for voice overs, but it's made a huge difference in the quality of those. My mic is decent for close in, but I think it would sound pretty bad with loud volume at close proximity. I think it would be worth building one and trying it out. You could always modify it if it doesn't sound right, and at worst, you'd have some very effective acoustic panels for your recording space! If you decide to try it out, I'd love to know what you think of it, and maybe see some photos or even a video.

@VM-oi3dk 4 күн бұрын

I’m not too impressed with the sound. That might be mic placement or that you’re too close to the mic, but metrics on the hand clap are all I need to know. It should work well with my Sennheiser MKH 416. It’s worth a try.

@UnchartedDIY 4 күн бұрын

My use of a cheap mic is probably a factor as well. Please let me know how it goes with a serious mic!

@chuckgentry3613 Жыл бұрын

I have the plans, which are very good and detailed. I have yet to build the project. I am just curious about the ideal fabric choice for the bit that drapes behind. I wonder what might work well to provide some additional sound isolation without being too bulky, since it would be laying on your back. The lighter fabric would actually result in less rustling sound due to movement, so that option does have some merit.

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear you like the plans, Chuck. I have been experimenting with using a quilted moving blanket for the back drape and I think I like it even better than the felt. I haven't noticed any rustling from it, though it does get warm in there sometimes!

@chuckgentry3613 Жыл бұрын

I think this design would work very well with a sit/stand desk.

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

@@chuckgentry3613 I totally agree! I don't have a desk like that, but I think it would work great. Please let me know if you do this and how you like it.

@ragingpoop8658 Жыл бұрын

what material cuts off the lower frequencies?

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

The multiple layers of dense materials help absorb some of the lower frequencies found in the human voice. That said though, very low frequencies require massive amounts of material for true absorption, since bass wavelengths are measured in feet rather than inches. That's why in recording studios, the bass traps usually occupy a large amount of space. This vocal booth works by absorbing some of the frequencies, but mostly by diffusing the standing waves so the sound energy isn't bouncing all over and effectively amplifying it. Truly absorbing all the bass wouldn't be possible in a small vocal booth like my design, and it wouldn't work well for amplified instruments. I hope that helps, Steve

@Kadehr Жыл бұрын

Really great build? Is there any reason why the 2 side walls are not parallel?

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

That's a good question, Kadehr. If they were parallel, any sound waves bouncing off of one wall could reflect to the other, then back again and so on. The back and forth bouncing can increase the amount and volume of echos. Having them angled reduces that possibility.

@Kadehr Жыл бұрын

@@UnchartedDIY Ah nice, thanks! And how do we reduce the boxiness of the sound? I've noticed that with your booth we don't have the big bassy sound we got with the Isovox, for example. Did you EQ the audio samples? Or is there a trick?

@UnchartedDIY Жыл бұрын

I found most other booths to have boomy bass. I usually sweeten the audio for my other videos, but that one was straight out of the mic so people could hear the raw sound and judge for themselves if they like the sound. I think it's because of the combo of a stiff backing board, dense material for absorption and a layer of foam to diffuse the sound. The inexpensive mic be an advantage in this case, and might factor into it too. For now I can't justify a $3000 Neumann! That level of mic would probably not sound great in a desktop booth and would pick up any flaws. Then again, if I could justify a high end mic, I could also justify a high end booth! 😁

@skyrunnerpictures 2 жыл бұрын

Are you selling?

@UnchartedDIY 2 жыл бұрын

If you mean plans with all the details to make one of these, YES! $5 on UnchartedDIY.com/vocal-booth/ If you mean selling completed, pre-made ones, then unfortunately no. There would have to be a large demand for these for it reach a point where it would make sense to build a bunch at one time to make them cost effective to sell.

@horrortimes3786 9 ай бұрын

Useless product...still capturing road vehicle sound .... better build small sound proof booth because curtains can't stop sound

@UnchartedDIY 9 ай бұрын

As explained in the video it doesn't STOP sound - this booth is designed for acoustic treatment, deadening echo and reverberation, NOT soundproofing. Soundproofing is completely different, usually requiring a large and very expensive SOUNDPROOF booth (not just a vocal booth) or extensive modifications to the room itself. Those modifications include adding special insulation to the walls and ceiling, and typically multiple layers of drywall. In other words, soundproofing will cost a lot more than a $150 DIY solution. There are videos here on KZfaq discussing the differences between ACOUSTIC TREATMENT and SOUNDPROOFING, and cover the details of the difficulty in actual soundproofing. While I'm not a soundproofing expert, I'll be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.