Singing Cover Soundproofing | Vocal Booth Design & Acoustic Materials

Posting singing cover videos but unhappy with the audio quality?

For singing cover recordings, vocal clarity and background noise elimination are paramount. Professional-grade audio requires proper vocal booth design.

This guide covers optimal vocal booth design for singing covers, acoustic material selection, and DIY implementation methods.

Acoustic Environment Requirements for Singing Covers

#

First, let’s understand the necessary environmental standards.

Core Requirements for Singing Cover Recording

#

Critical Priorities

• Complete echo elimination
• Zero background noise
• Preserve voice warmth

Ideal Environmental Specifications

#

Vocal Booth Design Fundamentals

#

Here are practical vocal booth design approaches:

Design Pattern ①: Compact Stand Booth (Budget ¥100K–200K)

#

Configuration

┌──────────────────┐
│  Acoustic Panels │←Rear wall
│  (Front/100mm)   │
├──────────────────┤
│  M │  │  │       │←Mic Position
│ I  │ ×│ × │      │
│ C  │  │  │       │
│    │ Panels      │
│    │ (Ceil/50mm) │
└──────────────────┘

Characteristics

• Most economical
• Simple installation
• Portable
• DIY-friendly

Required Materials

• Fiberglass wool 100mm × 6㎡ (front)
• Acoustic panels 50mm × 2㎡ (ceiling)
• Urethane foam 100mm × 4㎡ (sides)
• Wooden frame
• Non-woven fabric

Total Cost

• Acoustic materials: ¥50,000
• Wood/tools: ¥30,000
• Total: ¥80,000

Design Pattern ②: Mid-Size Box Booth (Budget ¥500K–800K)

#

Configuration

External dimensions: 1.5m × 1.5m × 2.0m
Internal dimensions: 1.4m × 1.4m × 1.9m

【Layer Structure】
Exterior → Damping layer → Drywall → Acoustic material → Interior finish

Characteristics

• Spacious interior
• Extended recording sessions possible
• Stable audio quality
• Professional finish

Required Installation Space

• Floor area: 2.25㎡ (approx. 1.5 tatami)
• Ceiling height: 2.0m or higher
• Transport width: 90cm or greater

Design Pattern ③: Large Vocal Room (Budget ¥1M+)

#

Configuration

• Dedicated room (2+ tatami)
• On-site soundproofing construction
• Professional studio-level environment

Suitable For

• Professional vocalists
• Record label-affiliated artists
• Corporate/studio operations

Vocal-Optimized Acoustic Material Selection

#

Choose acoustic materials optimized for singing covers:

Acoustic Material Frequency Characteristics

#

For singing frequencies (80Hz–4000Hz), appropriate materials are essential.

Frequency Characteristics by Material

Recommended Choice for Singing Covers

Fiberglass Wool 100mm (Optimal)

#

Why

• Completely covers vocal frequency range
• Excellent bass control
• Best cost-performance ratio

Placement Method

Installation Procedure

1. Create wooden frame support structure
2. Pack fiberglass wool into frame
3. Cover with non-woven fabric (itch prevention)
4. Apply interior finish from front

Urethane Foam 100mm (Alternative)

#

Advantages

• Easy handling
• Safety-focused
• Aesthetic appearance

Disadvantages

• Weaker bass absorption than fiberglass
• Limited durability (approx. 5 years)

Optimal Microphone Placement in Vocal Booth

#

Here’s the optimal microphone positioning:

Microphone Position Optimization

#

【Top-down view】

  Acoustic Panel (Front)
      ↑
    ┌─────┐
    │  M  │ ← Microphone
    │  I  │
    │  C  │
    │     │
    └─────┘
    ↑
  Floor (anti-vibration mat)

Distance Parameters

Microphone Height Adjustment

#

• Standing recording: Mouth level
• Seated recording: Slightly higher angle
• Reason: Natural voice capture

Vocal-Optimized Acoustic Techniques

#

Acoustic design that maximizes vocal performance:

Front Acoustic Panel Optimization

#

Importance

• Most effective
• Determines vocal contour definition
• Priority investment

Recommended Specifications

Placement Layout

┌─────────────────────┐
│   Acoustic Panel    │
│ Front (100mm)       │
├─────────────────────┤
│  M  │  ×  │        │
│  I  │  ×  │        │
│  C  │  ×  │ ← Side Panels
│     │     │ (100mm)
│     │     │        │
└─────────────────────┘
    ↑Ceiling (50mm)

Ceiling Acoustic Role

#

• Function: Overhead echo elimination
• Effect: Eliminates vocal floating sensation
• Recommended thickness: 50mm (adjustable 50–100mm range)

Side Acoustic Balance

#

Symmetrical Configuration

• Reason: Stereo preservation while eliminating reflections
• Recommendation: 100mm thick × full wall coverage

DIY Vocal Booth Construction Steps

#

Here’s how to build your own:

Complete Construction Workflow

#

STEP 1: Design Creation (1 day)

• Measure dimensions
• Create material list
• Plan construction

STEP 2: Material Procurement (3 days)

• Fiberglass wool: ¥50,000
• Wooden frame: ¥30,000
• Non-woven fabric & tools: ¥20,000
• Total: ¥100,000

STEP 3: Frame Construction (2 days)

• Assemble wooden frame
• Pack fiberglass wool
• Cover with non-woven fabric

STEP 4: Installation & Adjustment (1 day)

• Assemble booth structure
• Adjust microphone position
• Test recording

STEP 5: Audio Tuning (3 days)

• Verify test recording
• Adjust acoustics as needed
• Final verification

Total Time Required: 1–2 weeks

Material Calculation (2m × 2m × 2m Box Example)

#

Practical Recording Techniques for Singing Covers

#

Recording techniques after vocal booth completion:

Microphone Setup

#

Gain Setting

• Target: Peak meter at -6dB
• Test: Record at louder volume
• Adjust: Optimize within -3dB to -9dB range

Pop Filter Setup

• Essential accessory
• Position 5cm from microphone
• Eliminate plosive sounds (“p,” “t”)

Recording Environment Preparation

#

Booth Interior Environment

Recording Procedure

#

1. Warm-up (10 minutes)

   • Warm vocal cords
   • Final microphone position check

2. Test Recording (3 minutes)

   • Test actual volume
   • Adjust gain

3. Main Recording (5–10 minutes)

   • Multiple takes (3–5 attempts)
   • Select best take

4. Verification & Adjustment

   • Playback confirmation
   • Re-record if issues found

Common Singing Cover Recording Issues & Solutions

#

Typical problems and solutions:

Issue ①: Excessive Reverb

#

Cause

• Insufficient acoustic material
• Improper placement

Solution

• Add acoustic material (sides/ceiling)
• Position microphone closer to front panel

Issue ②: Background Noise Present

#

Cause

• AC/PC fan noise
• External sound

Solution

• Relocate equipment to separate room
• Avoid recording during noisy times

Issue ③: Voice Sounds Cold

#

Cause

• Excessive acoustic absorption
• Low microphone sensitivity

Solution

• Adjust absorption (reduce 100mm to 75mm)
• Increase microphone gain

Singing Cover Video: Final Audio Quality Checklist

#

Pre-publication audio verification:

Verification Items

• Does vocal sound clear?
• Is background track balance appropriate?
• Is audio noise-free?
• Are opening seconds echo-free?
• Is level approximately -3dBFS?

If Improvement Needed

• Equalizer: Emphasize 200Hz–2kHz
• Compressor: Level audio volume
• Reverb: Optional subtle addition

Summary: Singing Cover Recording Success Requires “Proper Vocal Booth Design”

#

Key Takeaways

• ✓ Echo elimination is paramount
• ✓ Invest heavily in front acoustic panel (100mm)
• ✓ Fiberglass wool adoption offers best value
• ✓ DIY implementation possible for ~¥1M
• ✓ Microphone placement & gain setting equally important

Recommended Approach

1. Start Small

   • Fiberglass + urethane at ¥100K tier

2. Test Recording

   • Verify environment suitability

3. Gradual Improvements

   • Add acoustic material as needed

4. Audio Tuning

   • Adjust gain & equalizer

Proper vocal booth design dramatically improves singing cover audio quality.

Create the optimal vocal booth to bring out your best vocal performance!