DIY vs BUY - Soundproofing
Portable Vocal Booth
This purchase was before my DIY sound treatment days. Even so, it would have been rough to build something that could be used at this close range without a ton of reflection of sound. For this to be effective, it needs to have a strong ability to absorb the correct frequencies while also blocking reflections from the rear. This would have probably meant ordering high end acoustic materials online, not worth it at the time since I was moving a lot and only really had room for this one sound isolation and absorption tool. Open cell foam "isolation" stuff like Auralex sucks for this kind of thing. (Actually it sucks for mostly everything) It only poorly absorbs high end frequencies and does not reflect or absorb the frequencies that typically cause problems of vocal recording in poorly treated rooms.
I went with a Realtraps product here. Not endorsing them or anything. I bought this one used off eBay back when they were the only affordable portable vocal booth that looked like it had a shot at being effective. I have been happy with its ability to block off axis sound reflection and help control my previously poor sounding room, but I have not compared it to other vocal isolation products except the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter (which I sold because it was much less effective than the Realtraps portable vocal booth. Probably just due to its much smaller size). There are now other decently constructed vocal isolation options out there in the price range of the Realtraps Vocal Booth that might be worth looking into as it's price has increased a good bit.
If you are not familliar with the Realtraps booth, it is a hinged foldable combination of 2 square - two foot by two foot sound absorbtion/reflection barriers that can sit anywhere or attach to any mic stand beneith your vocal microphone mount. This is not designed, nor will it work as a bass trap to absorb those low bass frequencies. It is approximately 1" thick and is designed for mid to higher frequency absorbtion. It can also be handy to move around and place on a desk, the floor or a separate stand to control mid frequqncy problems as well. My only complaint is that the stand becomes very top heavy with the portable vocal booth attached. It should only be used on a very stable mic stand and you should still always be very careful not to bump it. It could easily be knocked over and cost you a very expensive tube mic!
