DIY Recording Studio

Making space in your space for good audio

Intro

Most of us may not be able to access professional recording studios, but that shouldn't stop us! This guide will make a few helpful suggestions on how you can get great audio recordings in whatever space you available, basement, closet, under a table, you name it!

Take a look at Ira Glass, professional podcaster and host of this American Life. Ira often records in his closet at home, yet produces professional work.

While having expensive equipment is great, most of your recording's audio quality is based on how well you control your environment, ambient noise, and how you record, which we can do for free or inexpensively depending on your setup.

Understanding your space

There are alot of factors that go into what makes a good recording space, but if you are planning to make a serial podcast, the most important aspect is going to be consistency. Every space has a kind of sonic profile. Even though you can't tell why, you can hear when something has been recorded in a different space and it can be jarring for listeners. So once you decide on a space, stick to using it if you can! Consistency is key

Spaces to avoid

Avoid spaces with surfaces that reflect sound:

bare walls,
wood floors
metal interiors
lots of windows

If you hear an echo when you talk, its probably best to avoid that space

Try to find spaces like this

Instead, try to find a space that is quiet and full of “fluff”:

rugs,
curtains,
blankets, etc.

These kinds of materials help to absorb stray sounds and echos

Get to know your space sonically

Our human brains filter out alot of unnecessary sounds and noises unless we are focusing on it. No room is perfectly quiet but it can be hard to identify what is contributing ambient sound in our environment. Here is a quick exercise to help you hear your space:

Grab your recording device or phone and open a recording app like voice memos on the iphone.
Record 30 seconds of noise while trying to be silent yourself
Close your eyes and playback your recording using a pair of headphone or hold the speaker close to your ears.
What do you hear? Is there an HVAC system whirling? Do you hear a radiator? is the refrigerator rumbling?

Reducing unwanted noise

What noises can we control?

What did you hear in the above "Room Noise" exercise? if you heard a fan in the background, the buzzing of a light, etc, these are noises we can control.

Consider:

unplugging any electronic devices you hear
closing any doors you can
shutting windows closed
making sure all your faucets are shut off

Warning: if your refrigerator is a source of noise, make sure to set an alarm on your phone or another device to remind you plug it back in after recording

Understanding your space's "schedule"

Some of the ambient noises that might disrupt our recording are outside of our control: buses during the evening commute outside our window, your neighbor's kid in the apartment above you running around in the morning. However, its most likely that these kinds of noises occur on some sort of "schedule" that with a little observation you can identify and avoid.

Take a couple of days to observe your recording space at different times of the day. What days and times is it quietest? These are ideal times to record to avoid distracting sounds we can't control.

Are your neighbors making noise at a certain time of day? find out and add it to your schedule of bad times!

Setting up your Studio

What space can you dedicate?

If you are dedicated to a consistent podcasting or voice recording practice, you will really want to think about a dedicated space. Is there a corner in your apartment? Can you transform the closet in the guest room? Having a dedicated space is a fanstatic way to make sure your recordings are consistent and it will save time if you don't set up and break down each time. Recording spaces don't have to be very large, so if you can dedicate space, great! If not, there are some great small setups that can be broken down easily.

An example of a dedicated studio from a converted closet soundproofed with foam

What setup can your reproduce consistently?

If you aren't able to permanently dedicate space for your audio set up, then you need to ask yourself, what kind of set up can I reproduce easily and consistently. If set up is laborious, you will likely record less often. Furthermore consistency is key, so if your set up is different every time, it will reflect in the quality of your recordings. Whatever works for you, be as consistent as you possibly can.

Some DIY Options

BLANKET FORT

Make a blanket fort! While this might seem like a throw back to your childhood, this can be a great way to get great audio quality and dampen any unwanted noises.

Some things to consider:

Try to put the fort over a floor with a rug. wood floors are reflect sound and will amplify any unwanted noise
Make sure the blanket is attached to the chairs, not just hanging on them. You want to avoid the blanket moving or sagging as this may produce unwanted noise like ruffling if you brush up against it.
Try to use the same blanket each time. Down comforters are great as they block alot of outside noise. Avoid open-weave blankets as they allow sound through.

CLOSET STUDIO

This is one of the most consistent and reproducible options. and can be set up pretty quickly. Clothing does a great job of absorbing unwanted sound

Some things to consider:

Try to make sure you have clothing or fluffy fabric material around as many sides of you as possible. You want to be in a cocoon of material.
- consider tacking up a blanket on the closet wall, and hanging one over the entrance for added soundproofing
Be careful of having closet items too close to you. You want to avoid ruffling any clothes that might make noise while you record.

Some Recording Equipment Options

If you are new to podcasting, these will give you some ideas of equipment you can purchase or use at home!

USB Microphone

USB mics are plug and play, which simplifies traditional audio set-ups significantly. USB mics are not know for having the best dynamics (singing), but they have large condenser mics which for podcasting and voice-over work can produce very good results.

Here are some popular options:

Pros:

plug and play easy setup
good quality audio
relatively inexpensive compared to high-end versions

Cons:

requires a computer to record
larger than other options

Audio Recorder

Audio recorders are often used for field recording (interviewing people in a crowd), but they can also make great podcasting mics. Its the best of both worlds between a good recorder you can take with you and one you can still use in your home setup.

Here are some popular options:

Zoom HN1 (simple 1 voice) $100

Zoom Hn4 Pro (multi track) $200

Tascam DR-07x $170

Pros:

Use in the field or at home
Most of these audio recorders connect to your computer like a USB mic
Good quality for how versatile they are

Cons:

The onboard mics, though great quality, are not quite as good as USB.
Often made of plastic, can feel cheap even though mics are good
On average more expensive than USB mics

Smart Phone

Sometimes the best tool is the one you have. Lots of professionals choose to use their phone because it is convenient and can produce great results. Simply record on your phone and then edit in an app like Anchor or transfer the audio file to your computer to edit in your favorite editing app. While you can get good recordings using a phone, below are a few suggestions of items you can buy to increase your phone's audio quality:

Get a good desktop mobile tripod. You want to avoid holding your phone while recording to reduce noise
Consider getting a smartphone mic or adapter. These can greatly increase quality, but make sure they are designed to work with your phone.
Consider getting a dedicated podcasting app for more control over your recording

Check out this video to get ideas about how to set up an at home studio with your phone!

Additional ways to control your sound

Invest in a pop filter

Pop filters are inexpensive screens that you put between yourself and the microphone when you record. They act as filter to help eliminate some sharp sounds like S'ss and PUH Ps. They will save you alot of time from having to smooth out these sound in post production

Buy a baffle

A baffle surrounds the back of your microphone set up to help eliminate noises from the background so your recording is focused on you. These can be expensive but are good investments if you plan to do alot of recordings

DIY your own baffle

Fabric cube drawer with egg crate foam lining the walls makes for a great DIY baffle

Using an old amazon box that you line with old towels/fabric can make for a great baffle

Before you record

There is alot you can do before and during the recording process to improve your audio quality, some of which is made easier in a DIY Recording Studio:

Remove jewelry or any clothing that makes lots of noise
Read from a screen rather than paper to reduce noise
- Consider using a teleprompter app on your laptop
Try to inhale slowly in between lines, sharp inhalations can be heard in recordings.
Keep the distance between your mouth and the microphone consistent!
Have a non-carbonated drink on hand. You may be thirst in between takes.
When possible have your back to a wall with fabric or noise-reducing material. If your recording device is pointed towards you, then it will help eliminate unwanted noise

Having a wall or fabric behind you can help eliminate noise

All that jewelry won't make for a good audio recording

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