Concrete Recording Room

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jollyrogered
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Joined: March 25th, 2007, 10:39 pm
Location: Nebraska

Post by jollyrogered »

Hey everyone,

Well, its just about farming season here in Nebraska so my husband will finally be out of my way to record. Unfortunately our computers are both in a large, unfinished basement downstairs. The drywall is in, so we have walls to dampen some sound, but its just a concrete floor and no ceiling right now. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for dampening the echo do there, or how to edit that in Audacity. Its part of a downstairs living room, so unfortunately I can only blanket so much of the floor :D.

I could possible elongate my mic cord long enough to go into a smaller room and lay blankets on the floor in there, but then I couldnt see my computer screen while I was recording (eek!). So its definitely a trade-off.

So suggestions? I would hate to have to wait until next year when the basement is -hopefully- finished to begin recording again!
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TriciaG
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Post by TriciaG »

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jollyrogered
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Post by jollyrogered »

Oh my, that could work. I usually record standing but I could find something to put it on. I may have to make a trip to hardware store tonight to see what I can rig.
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aradlaw
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Post by aradlaw »

With no ceiling, you may be able to hang a couple of blankets to 'surround' your stand up recording space.
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chocoholic
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Post by chocoholic »

Or switch to a portable recorder if you aren't attached to your mic (so to speak :)) -- then you could record anywhere. I use the Zoom H2; others have been discussed on the forum somewhere.

I have had the problem of echo in a mostly empty room before too. I never entirely got rid of it until we furnished the room, but I am wondering if the lack of a ceiling might actually be in your favor -- assuming that you have floor joists or something else that isn't completely flat over your head. I think since you record standing up, David's idea of hanging blankets is the same thing I'd suggest.
Laurie Anne
jollyrogered
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Post by jollyrogered »

It is floor joints, its not flat. You are right that will probably help. I hadnt even thought of that. I think that I will try and create that micbox with styrofoam and maybe head to goodwill to purchase cheap blankets that I can staple to the ceiling. My husband will probably think that I'm trying to make a blanket fort for the dogs and I :D
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tovarisch
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Post by tovarisch »

jollyrogered wrote:I think that I will try and create that micbox with styrofoam
Not styrofoam :shock: . Styrofoam is too rigid to serve as decent sound absorption material. Use open cell elastic polyurethane convoluted foam (similar stuff they use for packaging electronics or for mattresses and pillows).
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jollyrogered
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Post by jollyrogered »

Haha sorry. I knew what foam to use, just called it styrofoam. I would never use that, oh it woudl be sooo squeeky. ick.
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MaryAnnSpiegel
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Post by MaryAnnSpiegel »

I have wood floors and therefore a very echo-ey house everywhere. I record in the dining room, with a fleece thrown on as a table cloth, throw rugs on the floor and a couple of pieces of fleece hung on the walls. [Bought with a half off coupon at the fabric store!] It warms up the sound of the room.

MaryAnn
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