Okay, here's the scoop...

All I need to do is record vocals for just a few songs so I can send my demo into MS Records... But, I live with about 5 other people and they don't really wanna hear me screaming and yelling in my bedroom(not to mention that I'm not the best vocalist in the world ;). So, I'm thinking about turning my closet into a rather small vocal booth. I know, I know... It's not really the best place to make a vocal booth, but I'm running on like a $25 a week budget these day... lol

Anybody have any suggestions on how I could keep the sound from getting out and bothering everyone else...?

Gabe...

Do you have a bathroom you can use? I'd try the closet and see what happens. Since it's a demo, at least you can get a good idea and probably a decent sound from it. I'd drape some blankets and pillows inside to absorb the sound too. Let us know how it comes out!

If you should choose your close, two things need to be done first. First you must have adequate proofing on the inside of the door. This can be done by even hanging a long robe on in front of it. Also, you'd probably want to leave the clothes in there (if it is a walk in or a farely bigger closet). Split them evenly and push them all against the wall on both sides. Secondly, you must keep in mind that although this may confine your screaming somewhat to make it pleasant enough for your roomies, it will not keep out the outside noise and stuff. So, you may have some leaking going on. What you can do with that is have your mic on a compressor or limiter and set the gate a little above the your lowest vocal range. You'll have to figure out what decible that is... :o)... It seems like a ghetto formula to a somewhat expensive process, but if you are desperate to get your stuff goin; ghetto works... It is how I started out. But as in the previous reply, a bathroom would work better as it has a better acoustic reflection. As for screaming, you may actuall want to lay those down as punch-ins from the bathroom. There are many different routes you can take. As for me, I got hella creative and just built a vocal booth in my basement. A room within a room, double insulated in the walls and triple insulated on the ceiling to keep my kids' feet from bleeding into my tracks. hehehe. Don't know where you are located, but I am located in Tacoma, WA... If you're anywhere near here, give me a holler and we might be able to work out something. nlpstudio@comcast.net
If you need answers or tips for anything home recording and engineering wise, just drop me a line. I've been doing this for 11 years and love helping folks out... peace...

Donald "720" Counts
Owner/Chief Engineer
NorthernLight Productions
nlpstudio@comcast.net

also lead singer of 7DX7 http://onlinerock.com/musicians/7dx7 :p

IF YOU ARE NOT "THE BEST VOCALIST IN THE WORLD" WHY EVEN BOTHER??? Anybody who introduces themselves with that description might as well not get out of bed unless its to go to the midnight shift at the gas station convenience store. HOOOOO AHHHHHH

I lined a closet with mattress foam. All over the ceiling, walls and door. It works well I just want a booth basically to look more professional for my clients.