Cedar closet as a recording booth

[Acousticado]

I’m in the process of setting up a recording/listening space as part of the reno of my fairly large basement rec room. I’ll be installing acoustic panels and a gobo with the intent to record/mix, but conveniently adjacent to my desk is a cedar-lined closet measuring 76”(h) x 51”(l) x 33”(w).

I haven’t yet relocated the clothing content to get a sense if the space is comfortably large enough to be in with a guitar and its acoustic properties, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it to use as an acoustic guitar/vocals recording booth rather than the larger open space. I speculate that some treatment will be beneficial which hopefully wouldn’t render it too tight for use. Assuming workable, would you try to make use of it and if so, what low-profile acoustic treatment would you install, and everywhere, or just hung mini panels? Thanks for any advice!

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

I’m in the process of setting up a recording/listening space as part of the reno of my fairly large basement rec room. I’ll be installing acoustic panels and a gobo with the intent to record/mix, but conveniently adjacent to my desk is a cedar-lined closet measuring 76”(h) x 51”(l) x 33”(w).

I haven’t yet relocated the clothing content to get a sense if the space is comfortably large enough to be in with a guitar and its acoustic properties, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it to use as an acoustic guitar/vocals recording booth rather than the larger open space. I speculate that some treatment will be beneficial which hopefully wouldn’t render it too tight for use. Assuming workable, would you try to make use of it and if so, what low-profile acoustic treatment would you install, and everywhere, or just hung mini panels? Thanks for any advice!

If you're going to set up the basement for recording, I assume you're going to treat the basement. I'd just concentrate on getting the main area as good as you can and forget the closet.

[Mobilemike]

IMHO that closet is too small to ever sound like anything except a closet unless you stuff it full of acoustic treatment and make it as dead sounding as possible. If you do that I think you’d find it difficult to be inside of it with a guitar. I’d focus on the main space as well.

[b1j]

I recorded a lead vocal in my wife’s closet, about 8’ x maybe 4’. I was able to leave all her clothes in there (removing them would have been an unpopular move), so there was plenty of absorption. I got a nice, flat recording and was able to mix it in easily with a touch of plugin reverb and a little high pass.

Once my panels are done, I’ll be happy to (hopefully) never again need to squeeze into that tight space with laptop, stand, interface, headphones, boom, and mic. It was fun, but setup was laborious. And that was without a guitar.

Actually, I’m curious if I can arrange my gobos to allow some small amount of room ambience. In the closet virtually all room sound was gone.

At the other end of the scale, I recorded several BGV tracks in my tiled bathroom, just to see what exaggerated echo would sound like. I was aiming for a “Only Living Boy in New York” effect. I rather like the result.

[DupleMeter]

The problem with closets is that clothes are really good at absorbing high frequencies, but terrible at managing the low end. The end result is usually a boomy/woolly recording.

For voice, that may not be huge problem, since you can roll-off a lot of low end before it's too noticeable (provided you're not James Earl Jones).

[b1j]

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

The problem with closets is that clothes are really good at absorbing high frequencies, but terrible at managing the low end. The end result is usually a boomy/woolly recording.

For voice, that may not be huge problem, since you can roll-off a lot of low end before it's too noticeable (provided you're not James Earl Jones).

Interesting about low end with clothes. I've only done voice in there, mostly because the guitar doesn't fit.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

The problem with closets is that clothes are really good at absorbing high frequencies, but terrible at managing the low end. The end result is usually a boomy/woolly recording.

For voice, that may not be huge problem, since you can roll-off a lot of low end before it's too noticeable (provided you're not James Earl Jones).

Good advice. I'll play naked next time.

[Acousticado]

Thanks folks, for the feedback. All points are well-taken. I think what I’ll do is proceed with treatment of my main space with RockWool acoustic panels and a portable gobo and get to recording asap with my older, minimal mediocre gear, and upgrade where it makes sense.

Meanwhile, I need to remove the shelf and clothes rod in the cedar closet anyhow to reconfigure even if it remains as a clothes closet. Then I’ll try recording in there with no treatment, then moving acoustic panels in from the walls and see what the effect is. It may turn out to be too confined a space anyhow, but in time, I’ll find out if it’s a better voice/acoustic guitar recording space, or not, or maybe for certain things. Nothing to lose.

Thanks again!

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

clothes...end result is usually... woolly

Ha. I see what you did there.

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

Ha. I see what you did there.

Finally! I’m pitching batting practice over here [emoji1787]