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My studio is not the best place to record vocals. Theere isn't much stuff in the room other than my equipment, a futon and a couple of tables. So the resonance is a bit noticeable. So I am looking to do some mild sound deadening to make the vocals sound more crisp. I added some photos so you guys can see the layout. It's about 12'x19', it's square, and has two windows and a door. How much and where are the best places to add foam without foaming every square inch of wall and ceiling? Also, other than egg cartons, is there "budget" foam available. I've looked at guitar center and the prices aren't as bad as I thought, but it would help to find some better deals.

There are some companies that will do an analysis based on some info you send them. Here are a few links I found with a quick google search:
http://www.realtraps.com (good videos & info, good products, but not cheap)

or
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/studio/acoustic-treatment/room_analysis.php


Acoustic treatment is REALLY important and can make a much more drastic improvement on your sound than a great new mic or plug-in. However, it can be expensive. If you do a little research you can do some good stuff on your own on a budget, but it will take some research.

You DO NOT want to just cover the walls with foam. Foam only helps with the mids and high frequencies and has NO effect on low frequency.

OK, I just did a quick read of those links on my lunch break and wow, I can't afford those real traps. Do you think I can get away with just a portable vocal booth for now?

Also, I know you said no foam, but some of the bass traps I found on the sweetwater site that are more in my range are made of foam. Should I stay away? http://www.sweetwater.com/c672--Bass_Traps

I didn't mean to say no foam, although if you can afford something with more broadband control like the real traps they are better. If all you can afford is foam, it is okay. what I was trying to say is you don't, typically, want to cover the whole wall in foam.

There are some good DIY techniques out there using insulation (owens-corning 700 series). There are some bags (acoustic material) that you can buy and put the 700 series stuff in them and get more broadband reduction. It is kind of like a DIY realtrap. If you get a book about home studio construction or acoustic treatment you can find some good ideas that won't break the bank, but will be far superior to foam.

For those bags that cneal is talking about, check out http://www.readyacoustics.com/

They sell the panels fully built, or just the components separately. Their price on Owens-Corning 703 isn't bad, though you might be able to find an insulation distributor in your local area where you can pick it up (and bypass the shipping charges).

cneal wrote:

QUOTE:
1. what I was trying to say is you don't, typically, want to cover the whole wall in foam.

2. There are some good DIY techniques out there using insulation (owens-corning 700 series). There are some bags (acoustic material) that you can buy and put the 700 series stuff in them and get more broadband reduction. It is kind of like a DIY realtrap. If you get a book about home studio construction or acoustic treatment you can find some good ideas that won't break the bank, but will be far superior to foam.

1. That's exactly what I don't want to do! I've seen photos where guys just had certain areas of each wall foamed, not an entire wall. But I don't wanna just slap it anywhere because I know it has to be placed according to where the speakers and mic are.

2. Hopefully I can find something to start with under $400. I found an 8 pack of foam corner bass traps on Ebay for about $80 shipped. I'm gonna research them and see if they are crap or not. http://cgi.ebay.com/Soundproofing-Foam-Acoustic-Bass-Absorbers-Traps-SP8_W0QQitemZ250276770387QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250276770387&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A16&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318