I'm curious to know more about this.

I've read about making a room acoustically 'dead'...but also about livening up a room.

Which should you do?

How should you do it?

What makes a room sound 'good' or 'bad'?

Feel free to contribute questions or answers to this thread - I think it's pretty interesting for those of us getting into self-recording.

Thanks.

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Ibanez SA160QM (w/ Lindy Fralin's)
Boss TU-2 > Boss DS-2 > EHX Big Muff Pi > Arion SAD-1 > Boss PH3 >Boss RV-3 >Visual sound Jekyll & Hyde> Akai Headrush > tech 21 triac> "borrowed" Roland JC-50

For Sale/trade, PM for info:
...
Epiphone Alleykat (w/hard case)
DOD fx25B Diago gigman pedalboard (virtually as new) Boss OC-2 MXR Dynacomp

It depends on what you're recording.

Generally it's best if you're going to add effects later to always have a dead room. A dead room is one with no reverberation, no standing waves, etc. If I snap my fingers in my bedroom you can hear the reverb. Try it in your bathroom, as they're very small. It's why someone can tell if you're talking on the phone in the bathroom.

For vocals, having a dead room is most important. For electric guitars, you're usually close-miking an amp, so the room doesn't really matter. Drums benefit from a large, reflective room.

This article will probably help. I think everyone should try the speaker setup they have, it sounds brilliant.

I hung up an old blanket in my corner for recording vox last night; that's one technique you might try.

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Gentle Robot - Chapel Hill NC Rock Band

Seagull Artist Mosaic (acoustic)
Fender Strat Plus
Line 6 M9
Traynor YCV40WR

Can you explain the 'hanging up the blanket' thing. Does this 'deaden' the room. ie kill reverb

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Fender Pro Reverb w/ Mesa Boogie 2x12 Cab, Peavey Classic 50 4x10
Strat w/Seymours & Fat Tele w/EMG 81/85,Takamine EG523SC Acoustic
Pedal Board
Boss TU-2>Jerry Cantrell Crybaby>MXR 10 Band EQ>MXR Super Compressor>Zvex Box of Rock>Zvex Mastotron>EHX Metal Muff>EHX Nano Small Stone>EHX Deluxe Memory Boy>EHX Freeze>BBE Sonic Stomp (EHX Flanger Hoax in the FX loop)

It'll kill the reflections behind you. I put it up with just thumbtacks, with the top about a foot above my head. Pin up the blanket corners on each wall, and let it sag in the space in between. Get something thick, but something no one wants, maybe has a piss stain or something. Stand with your back to the corner otherwise it's useless.

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Gentle Robot - Chapel Hill NC Rock Band

Seagull Artist Mosaic (acoustic)
Fender Strat Plus
Line 6 M9
Traynor YCV40WR

I would mess around with different rooms, each has its own sound. Sometimes a "unique" room sound can lead to some great results, and some bad ones. Experimentation is key...

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myspace.com/postmancalls - the band I am in

So I take it a bedroom wouldn't typically be a 'unique' room?

__________________
Ibanez SA160QM (w/ Lindy Fralin's)
Boss TU-2 > Boss DS-2 > EHX Big Muff Pi > Arion SAD-1 > Boss PH3 >Boss RV-3 >Visual sound Jekyll & Hyde> Akai Headrush > tech 21 triac> "borrowed" Roland JC-50

For Sale/trade, PM for info:
...
Epiphone Alleykat (w/hard case)
DOD fx25B Diago gigman pedalboard (virtually as new) Boss OC-2 MXR Dynacomp