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How to Make a Soundproof Vocal Booth

Vocal recording can be a tricky business if the environment where the audio capture takes place is loud or has an inherent background hum or other noise sources. When adding vocal tracks, doing voice-overs or recording any other situations that call for clean source material, use a method of isolation to establish a solid recording level. The gain in dynamic clarity can transfer excitement to the project. The isolation method most preferable is a soundproof situation, where no external sounds are allowed to reach the microphone.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 pieces of 1/2-inch plywood, measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet high each (A, B, C, D)
  • 4 pieces of 7/16-inch carpet padding, measuring 3 feet 10 inches wide by 7 feet 10 inches high each
  • 4 pieces of Berber or textured carpet, measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet high each
  • 6 3-inch butt hinges
  • 48 screws (for the hinges)
  • Screwdriver
  • Keyhole Saw
  • Staple gun
  • Razor blade knife
  • T-square
  • 1 piece of plywood measuring 4 feet 2 inches wide by 4 feet 2 inches long (E)
  • 1 piece of 7/16-inch carpet padding measuring 4 feet 2 inches wide by 4 feet 2 inches long
  • 1 piece of Berber or Textured carpet , measuring 4 feet 2 inches wide by 4 feet 2 inches long
  • Step ladder
  • 9-12 1.5-inch wood screws
  • 2 brass gate handles
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

  1. Mount Hinges on Plywood Sheets

    • 1

      Mount four total hinges onto one of the 4x8 sheets of plywood (sheet A). Mount two hinges each on one long side, and the other two on the other long side of the sheet of plywood. Each hinge bottom will be located 1 foot from the bottom or top edge of sheet A.

    • 2

      On one of the remaining three sheets of 4x8 plywood mount two hinges, on one side only. Mount each hinge on the same long side of the plywood (sheet B). Each hinge bottom will again be 1 foot from the bottom or top edge of the board.

    • 3

      Lay down all four 4x8 plywood pieces, with the hinges from one side of sheet A settling onto the unhinged side of sheet B. The hinged side of sheet B will settle on the edge of sheet C. Likewise, the hinges on the other side of sheet A will settle on the edge of sheet D. You should now have all four large sheets laid out, with hinge configurations prepared on the three touching edges.

    • 4

      Use the screwdriver and screws supplied with the hinges to screw all hinges down so that all four sheets of plywood are now attached and laying flat. The tops and bottoms of the sheets are lined up correctly.

    • 5

      Using a keyhole saw, cut a 2 inch diameter half circle from the short edge of either sheet A or sheet B.

    Attach Padding and Carpet

    • 6

      Using the staple gun, mount four large pieces of carpet padding on the face-up side of the four sheets. Center the carpet padding, leaving a 1 inch space on all sides of each sheet.

    • 7

      Using the staple gun again, mount four large pieces of carpet over the top of the carpet padding, onto the four sheets, being sure to staple securely around the hinge mounts and on all edges of each sheet.

    • 8

      Using the razor blade knife, cut out the carpet where the 2-inch-diameter half circle exists (sheet A or B). This is the hole that will allow any cables to be run, if needed, to the inside the vocal booth.

    • 9

      Tip all sheets up onto their edge, and fold three sheets around to begin to form a 4-foot by 4-foot box, 8 feet high. Be careful to insure the angles for the corners are correctly set at 90 degrees using the T-square.

    Add the Top Cover, Finishing Touches

    • 10

      Attach the 7/16-inch carpet padding, measuring 4 feet 2 inches square, to the square plywood sheet (E) using the staple gun.

    • 11

      Attach the textured carpet to the square sheet of plywood, over the top of the carpet padding, using the staple gun.

    • 12

      Place the square top over the upright walls and attach by running wood screws through the top and into three of the walls of the vocal booth. You may need a step ladder for this. Leave one wall free, which will be the entrance/exit.

    • 13

      Paint the outside of the vocal booth.

    • 14

      Attach each of the brass gate handles to the movable wall; one on the outside at about 3 feet high, and the other on the inside.

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