How to Build a Recording Sound Booth

If you're squeezed for space but need to record vocals to wrap that demo, a sound booth can be made with some minor hardware.

For a musician, there's something spectacular about an audio recording that's maybe scratchy, or the quality is intentionally imperfect. But when you're looking to record vocals, for instance, sometimes you want crystal clear pitch and sound, without background noise to take away from the voice behind the microphone. Recording sound booths are specifically designed for sound diffusion. Ambiance and reverberation are reduced inside the booth, which means other noises are prevented from leaking into the microphone used to record vocals.

Things You'll Need

• Carpet or rugs
• Fan
• Foam panels or sound absorption sheets

Instructions

1. Decide which space in your house will be used to build the sound booth. The basement is a common choice. However, it can be significantly more difficult to build a sound booth in a basement because it will require you to build new walls. If you have an extra closet that is large enough to be made into a sound booth, then it will be much easier to transform the closet.

2. Clean out your room of choice, removing any unnecessary objects.

3. Cover the walls in foam panels or sound absorption sheets. If the room does not already have carpeting inside it, then add a carpet or some rugs to the floor. This will act as soundproof material that deflects echo. For more soundproofing, add two layers of sound absorbing materials.

4. Install a ceiling fan or a wall fan inside the recording sound booth. A fan will create white noise and help to deaden all other sounds.

5. To prevent sound interference, place all other equipment, such as musical instruments, away from the booth. Any cords needed for recording vocals inside the booth should be run through the door.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have foam panels or sound absorption sheets and are unable to acquire some, then you may hang rugs, bed spreads, or any other sound absorbing material on the walls instead.

• For the best possible sound, have the microphone face the corners of the booth.

References

• Audimute: Sound Booth 101: How to Build a Vocal Booth for Great Recordings