Just Two Broadband Panels

One of the first problems many of us face when recording at home is the "small room" sound that results from ... (wait for it) ... recording in a small room!! The usual answer is room treatment - sound absorbing material that reduces the reflections. But what if it's a shared room, a room that can't be filled with acoustic treatment? How many broadband panels does it take to make a difference?

This video demonstrates the use of just two conventional broadband absorber panels for recording voice and guitar. The panels are placed behind the mics for maximum attenuation and reduction of off-axis mic effects.

For more information visit the Homebrewed Music Blog http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2011/12/11/just-two-broadband-panels/

The video was captured on a Zoom Q3HD and a Sanyo Xacti HD2000. The clip was assembled in Edius Neo.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• homebrewed music
• Fran Guidry
• acoustic treatment
• broadband absorber
• acoustic
• guitar
• recording
• Q3HD
• Xacti
• Edius
• acoustic guitar

[TonusDiabolicus]

@franguidry Yes I did view the entire video. I'm interested in the Zoom Q3HD and your videos are the best I've seen on this device. My main consideration is to use the line-in audio for capturing an electric guitar signal from an amp simulator (POD) and thus avoid having to sync the audio and video. I would then only have to trim and edit the video to complete the process. However, $300 for a cam just for a line-in feature may be overkill and so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.

[franguidry]

@TonusDiabolicus Thanks for visiting. I hope you viewed the back and forth cuts at the end - should have put those first, now that I think of it.

Fran

[TonusDiabolicus]

Not sure that the audio difference was that profound....but a most excellent, informative video. Thanks. Really enjoyed the videos about the Zoom Q3HD, particularly the audio/video sync tutorial.

[franguidry]

@deadbirdsings But without the panels you have no choice. With the panels you can adjust their position relative to the mics and dial in just the degree of room reflections you prefer.

Fran

[deadbirdsings]

The absorbers make an enormous difference, but I'm not sure I liked the after better than the before. It's all a question of how much natural reverberation you want to have in your recording.

[franguidry]

@mikeperaltamusic Styrofoam doesn't have any useful acoustic properties that I know about. The fiberglass (or rock wool or cotton fiber or hemp fiber) all have specific characteristics - they let air flow through but with some loss of energy. And since sound is waves of air, this results in loss of sound energy. Since air doesn't pass through styrofoam, not much attenuatation can result.

Fran

[mikeperaltamusic]

@franguidry Do you have an opinion on Styrofoam panels covered in cloth, and then sort of hung on a wall/door permanently?

[franguidry]

@mikeperaltamusic Mike, you can certainly buy panels premade, if you'd rather trade money for time.

Fran

[maripocita37]

@Madraeus I know, right? I'm gonna do this. Now all I need to do is make the panels exactly as this gentleman did.

[maripocita37]

This is fantastic and you ROCK! This information is EXACTLY what I needed. THANKS!!!!!!!