Recording mic in small conference room

[Douglas]

I've been visiting this forum for a while, and recommending it to other people.

But now I need some help with a specific problem.

I work at a multimedia design firm. Most of our voice-over work is done at local (professional) studios, but we occasionally want to record a few things in-house.

We've been using a large storage closet that had some sound treatment, but now we're moving the office around and I have been asked to set up our small conference room for recording short client interviews and so on.

THE BIG PROBLEM: 4½ foot tall windows, that run from one end to the other, and a truckload of bounce. (We're on the 5th floor, so I don't have much noise coming through the glass; it's less than the noise from the HVAC, which is very minimal.)

So, I'm trying to figure out how to tame this room.

The windows (bottom at 3½ feet and top at 8 feet) and the door (8½ feet tall) severly limit what I can do with corner traps. One end has bookshelves that have a variety of books and objects. The long wall has nothing on it.

Here's the a rendering of one end of the room, and the floor layout:


What would you do? Traps and diffusers on the long wall? Set up Max Wall around the mic whenever we need to record? (Remember: we have to keep it "asthetic" for client meetings.)

Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated... even if you tell me that it won't work.

[Pennywizz6]

Hello,

I already posted to this thread but it didnt stick obviously. As for the windows, get some sort of thick or heavy curtains, when your recording you can close up the window and when your not ya have a nice view! The bookshelf should act as a decent diffusor. I dont know if you can put any bass traps in the corners but if ya can fit some in that could be beneficial. Last is build a slot resonator on the east wall.

Fill

[Douglas]

I dont know if you can put any bass traps in the corners...

I can put a two-foot corner trap over one end of the bookshelf. Anything else will cover part of the window(s) or get in the way of the door... which is part of the dilemma.

[knightfly]

For what you need, the "maxwall" approach seems more sensible - that way you can get it out of the way when not in use... Steve

[Douglas]

Well, we ordered the Max Wall 420... about $350... and I am NOT impressed. The stands look like the cheapest mic stands that I've never bought. To keep the foam from sliding down the stand, you use one of the included spring-clamps (buy elsewhere for $1.99)... but they don't work very well. And, unless you ordered and used the 90º connector piece, the 2 "units" are very awkward and prone to being knocked over.

Do they stop the sound? Sure. But setting up a couple free-standing ladders and a couple of quilts would provide a similar result; it would sound the same, and look just as un-professional.

And, no, they don't look as good as the pictures; they don't stand that straight.

[knightfly]

Damn, sorry to hear that; I'd not seen them in person, and like you I thought they'd be better. I know the principle works, but from now on I'll just recommend DIY Thanks for your feedback, I'll put those on my list of NON-recommendations... Steve

[Douglas]

I'm talking to the folks at Sweetwater, and they're talking to the folks at Auralex... in hopes of working out a solution that is mutually agreeable. If they don't, then I may have to return them and build something.

I designed and built THESE UNITS for a friend's demo studio, but they can't be disassembled like the MAX Wall. I mean, thats supposed to be the real beauty; usable sound treatment that can be put in a small closet after you don't need it.

But it has to stand up straight and look good when you are using it.