In the first instalment of this blog series I talked about the technical aspects of my recording setup. I thought I should also talk about some things I’ve done (and some additional things you can do) to optimize the physical space for recording.
Controlling Noise and Echo
There are a few things to consider about the physical space where you want to record. Obviously, it’s better to choose a space away from predictable sources of noise like a busy road, or a neighbor who likes to mow their lawn at predictably inconvenient times.
Echo is also an important consideration. Smooth, flat surfaces are perfect for reflecting sounds and creating echoes, which can be heard in your recordings if you’re not careful. Unfortunately, walls, hardwood floors, and even windows (or the glass on framed pictures) qualify as surfaces that can contribute to echoes in your space.
When I first heard recordings from current space, I was actually dismayed by how much echo I heard. At first I tried a few foam acoustic panels behind my desk. The tricky part was figuring out the best strategy to mount them, since I didn’t really want to stick them directly on my walls. I do have a row balanced along the edge where my desk meets the wall. I tried wedging a couple into the corner to let the natural tension of the foam hold them up, which worked for a while. I’ve also experimented with using contact cement to glue foam panels onto strips of corrugated plastic, which can then be mounted using nails or even velcro 3M Command strips, for a non-destructive approach.
I did have the additional issue to deal with: a window behind my desk. I remembered something that happened in one of my first apartments after graduating from university. My landlords (who were also friends) didn’t want my roommates and I to change the wallpaper in a room we wanted to use as a shared working space, which also happened to be right next to a popular streetcar stop in Toronto. Having ventured into a paint store one day, I noticed that natural canvas drop cloths were pretty cheap, so I got an idea. We bought enough drop cloths to cover the wall of the room, a grommet punch, and some ceiling hooks. We draped the cloths between hooks spaced around the room, which (mostly) covered the hideous wallpaper. What surprised us was how much quieter the room suddenly was. You could still hear the streetcar go by, but it was a whisper of the cacophony it had been before.
For reducing noise, both for echoes and for ambient sounds, a set of heavy, loosely hanging canvas cloths contribute both mass and damping, important elements of soundproofing (or more accurately, sound absorption). For my recording space, I decided I would use light-blocking curtains to achieve the same effect. They’re typically heavier to block more light, but for my purposes they’re useful because they also do a good job of absorbing sound. Because I do still want some natural light when recording I also have a set of sheer curtains behind them, so I can let in some diffuse light without exposing bare glass.
There’s More Than Just Sound to Consider
My desk is also at one end of a fairly large room, which contributed to that initial, cavernous sound in my recordings. Sitting in front of the window, that also means that on camera I’m well lit while the rest of the room behind me is visibly darker. Since cameras try to expose to 18% grey, that often meant that parts of my face were overexposed (e.g. highlights blown out) to balance out the darkness behind me. I decided that hanging some lighter-coloured fabric behind me at my desk would further dampen noise and echoes, as well as improve the automatic exposure from my camera.
I ended up buying light blocking curtains with sheets behind them for my recording space, not because I really need to filter the light, but that grade of curtain is typically heavier, and for dampening echoes in a space, the heft of the material is key. During podcast recordings I typically also hang a neutral grey photo background behind me, both to keep the light meter on my camera from over or under exposing, but also to further deaden any echoes.
Bonus Points - A Standing Setup
There’s been a lot of discussion about the benefits of standing for voice work, including a more energetic delivery and less compression on your solar plexus and diaphragm. That’s probably a lot of truth to that, but adopting that would mean replacing my current desk with a sit/stand desk (since I don’t really want to stand all day). I’m happy with the results I get currently, so I’ll skip that kind of significant investment for now.
Do What’s Right for You
I’ll admit, optimizing your space for recording may feel like overkill for most people, and that’s up to you. But you can probably significantly upgrade your space (particularly the acoustics) for less than $50 USD.
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