sound proof?

[sweet water]

do absortion traps the sound in like a vocal booth?....can i us absortion to get a vocal booth quality?...if not what do i use diffusion or what?

[iriegeorge]

could you maybe re-phrase your question? You should describe the space you are trying to use and what ALL you expect to get from it. If you are trying to isolate it from surrounding interference or trying to alter the characteristics of the space. Do you want to just create a dead space or something that has some feel to it?

[sweet water]

im trying to use a small closet space

[iriegeorge]

So you probably just want to deaden it? How much do you want to spend?
Do it inexpensiveley with mattresses.... that would deaden quite a bit for little money. Build traps, basic traps from 1"x4" or 6" boards with pegboard faces and filled with rigid insulation wrapped in fabric is a quick inexpensive solution. You could spend a fair amount of money on Acoustic foam, which they sell at Sweetwater, comes in all kinds of colors and thicknesses, more "professional" looking. It really depends on the first two questions.

[Psykostx]

This is going to sound very low class, but buy a few heavy duty vinyl sheets (thick shower curtains work, but I mean THICK) and hang them like curtains with another layer of heavy cotton blankets over them...keep them slighlty away from the wall, and let the smell vent for a day or two. Get some Auralex DST foam for $100 and cover the ceiling. Now you are free to spend your money on a mic, I reccommend an Audio-Technica 4040 or 3035. If you are doing spoken word or rap, try the 4033. If you are going to spend more, go with a Neumann TLM-103, as it can do what all three of those mics do. Generally as far as practicality is concerned, the AT-4033 and the Neumann TLM-103 are considered equal but different (they are both excellent all around workhorses)...with a big difference in price and looks. If I could buy just one mic for $1000 or under it would be one of these two. Conveniently, I have a pair of each. I plan on getting more 4033s and using them as spot mics (not close mics), they are really amazing, everyone should own at least four of them if you are going to do serious recording! I only suggest the 4040 or the 3035 if you are on a budget, or would rather not EQ to taste later, as these are not mics with a flat curve.

PS: Not having to do with the original post, the 3035 is the best kick drum mic in the world! It provides the perfect amount of compression, and is warm and fat sounding. Watch your SPLs tho.

[iriegeorge]

Yes, curtains would be another inexpensive source as stated in the last reply, and also as stated, ventilate, ventilate, those shower curtains really do smell bad for a couple of days!!!!
Heavy curtains or the old school packing blanket works well.

[sweet water]

what about the AKG perception 420 or 120?

[sweet water]

which one is better?...akg perception 420 or the audio technica 4033

[Psykostx]

which one is better?...akg perception 420 or the audio technica 4033


I have never heard the perception 420, but I will say that the 4033 has been used extensively as a workhorse on almost every rock album in the 1990's. Use it wherever you would use a Neumann TLM-103, but you are afraid of a drummer hitting it or a guitarist kicking it (or vocalist punching it!). I try to stay away from "420" products...lol. I know for a fact that NIN has used them on quite a few instruments, they really give guitars a nice crisp sound.

Usually, when recording professionally you try to use as many options as possible all at once and narrow it down at mixdown. What I would do (me personally) in your situation is get BOTH microphones, record something with both of them at the same time, and if you don't like one, sell it. Sometimes a mic will just not agree with the preamps you are using. When I find something I like, I buy lots and lots of it. Its always pays off! I have several 4033s, I use them on everything, I love them...so punchy and dynamic, they sound much much more expensive than they are. They are a drum overhead standard...use them wherever you would use a TLM-103.

PS: The 4033 also comes in a snazzy "leather"-bound hard case! BONUS! :cool:

EDIT: Also, you never said what style vocals you are recording?

[michaelhoddy]

They are a drum overhead standard

They are a great drum overhead standard. Also wonderful for acoustic guitar, percussion, toms, and female vocals or airy male vocals. I have also used the big-brother 4050 on Leslie and guitar amps with great success. While the 4033 is not the same mic, I'd expect that it would do well in those apps as well.

The 4033 has a little bit of self-noise, but nothing you're going to hear on a pop record, and it's less than, say, an SM81.

A great all-around mic that sounds like many times the price...

[sweet water]

what about vocals i just need to record vocals

[Psykostx]

what about vocals i just need to record vocals


What style vocals? It really does depend on that, that is why I keep asking. If you construct that vocal booth properly (it will be SWEET), any mic will sound "acceptable" to most people's ears, and in fact you will have an advantage over most people in A/Bing mics to find the one that really represents your voice. What you want is to hear playback of your take and say, "that is my voice!" Noone can decide this for you, but I suggest a good reference style mic to start! (Neumann TLM-103, AT 4033, Earthworks TC-20, AKG 414B, Rode NT-1A) All these mics are very well suited to ANY task, and take EQing very well. Rode is the cheapest I would go here because its your voice we're talking about! The more mics you put up at once, the better chance you have of capturing "it." Think of it like photography, you wouldn't just take one picture and cross your fingers would you? You take as many as you can while your subject is available! Also cheap mics don't last very long...if you are going through all that work to build a vocal booth...why limit yourself? If you must, try a Samson USB mic...they are pretty decent...just don't expect it to last more than a year (or two if you are lucky) under moderate use. Also, you don't say what other gear you are using to record through?

PS: Michael good call on the 4050! Almost forgot about that one! I really like AT's stuff (3035 and up), they make owning a killer sounding mic collection affordable for everyone!

[sweet water]

good, usefull tips dude i appreciate it