Large room recording.

seraphimdemonic · Post by **seraphimdemonic** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:13 pm

This is a bit OT but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions nonetheless.

Unfortunately the room I'm recording is quite open. I generally do mostly guitar and vocals. My apt is basically like a loft, no doors, just wide open space and high ceilings.
I still get good recordings but I find they're a bit bassy or airy, I'm guessing because of the large room... any suggestions or tips on how to improve this without moving out? =D

bicarbone · Post by **bicarbone** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:13 pm

hi,

try to set up a little space between shelves (loaded with books) and/or use a matrass to absorb sound propagation. Furthermore, if you use a static mic, make sure its position is turned on cardio to prevent recording room ambience and position it as close as you can from the source to be recorded. Find yourself a carpet if the floor gives to much reflections.

Well, I'm not an english native speaker, so I apologize for my bad expression. And by the way. what does OT mean?

Martin

djsynchro · Post by **djsynchro** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:33 pm

word you need to make some sort of screens with a blanket or something on it so there's a little room in your room to record vocals and stuff.

bicarbone · Post by **bicarbone** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:40 pm

word you need to make some sort of screens with a blanket or something on it so there's a little room in your room to record vocals and stuff.

yeah, that's what I meant!

knotkranky · Post by **knotkranky** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:01 pm

Don't move out, just build a few gobo's.

how_gauche · Post by **how_gauche** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:04 pm

Man, I wish I had this "problem".

jesQuick · Post by **jesQuick** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:06 pm

bicarbone wrote: Well, I'm not an english native speaker, so I apologize for my bad expression. And by the way. what does OT mean?

Martin

OT means off topic...

Cheers

bicarbone · Post by **bicarbone** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:50 pm

OT means off topic...

Cheers

thank you, I should have thought about that.

best

seraphimdemonic · Post by **seraphimdemonic** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:16 pm

thanks for the suggestions..

hmmmmmmm. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I just wish I had more room to do something like that.

maybe I should record vocals in the bathroom.

philipbarrett · Post by **philipbarrett** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:29 pm

Try a more directional microphone (even a hyper-cardiod) close up and make sure that you're seated/standing against an adsorbant surface such as a couch (settee/chesterfield or whatever they call that thing in your country).

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:54 pm

I used to have to record drums and piano in a room like this back when in school. All the mic techniques mentioned will help. We also had these high baffles similar to those pictured that could tilt down from the top to help block the ceiling reflections: this is where a lot of the room sound comes from. Some fabric 'tented' over a clothesline could help with that if you are strapped.

There is something I posted in another forum where someone was asking for inexpensive acoustic foam. There are rolled-up foam pads that you can get, fairly inexpensive, that go under sleeping bags.

djsynchro · Post by **djsynchro** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:19 am

You can even put a blanket over your head (make sure it don't ruffle - noise)
Or make a "tent" out of a blanket. You get the idea.

jerry123 · Post by **jerry123** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:18 am

You might be able to get away with setting up in different places in the room. Is the room rectangular or odd shaped? Even setting up a corner with blankets on two walls and a rug or blanket on the floor.
Keep this in mind when you find things are too bassy or too light on the bass.
When you are close to a wall, upto 3db can be added to the low end. A corner made of two walls at a 90 degree angle can add 6db and two corners and a wall can add 9db.
If you are playing accoustic guitar, you may be able to position yourself in a 'sweetspot'.
It's always worth it do some quick test tracks so find out where in the room sounds best.
Otherwise, bathrooms are great and so are gobos.

Spackled Bat · Post by **Spackled Bat** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:45 am

seraphimdemonic wrote:maybe I should record vocals in the bathroom.

Yes, you should. All vocals should be recorded in the bathroom.
All that tile make things sound goooood.

seraphimdemonic · Post by **seraphimdemonic** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:09 pm

very echo'y in my bathroom though...

haha and no tiles, it's a sliding shower thing.

Thanks for all the suggestions those are great.

Here is my layout to help any of you understand it better. If you want to point out what would be best, be my guest.
I did it on mspaint. =D